On the surface, Trackmania Sunrise is a spruced up version of the original. Dig deeper and you'll find a few minor improvements, but nothing vastly different. The biggest of these improvements comes in the graphics department. Like the original, Sunrise clearly aims towards the arcade side of the target. Everything looks great, but with a decidedly toy-like look, giving the entire package a unique charm. Many of the game's races take place in more urban settings, so expect to see lots of cityscapes. Other environments include jumps between tropical isles at sunset (complete with a setting sun providing nice lighting effects) and a industrialized area that looks like a cross between a test track and a NASA facility.
As an added touch, you can customize the look of your car with the game's flexible customization options. After selecting your car, you can choose to paint it any color your want (in both matte and metal finishes) and even apply decals for a more personal touch.
Sound is decent, but is nothing that will blow you away. You have your typical engine sounds and a healthy selection of European rock and techno tracks. Overall, the soundtrack does a great job of getting you into the "racing mood", but it can get annoying -- or at least that's how I found it. Had I a higher tolerance for Euro rock or techno, I probably would have enjoyed the music more than I did.
