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MOTORSTORM: ARCTIC EDGE (PSP)
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a.k.a. MotorStorm: Raging Ice
Publisher: Sony. Developer: BigBig Studios. Released: September 2009. Genre: Racing. Other versions: PS2. Posted 4th July 2018. By Tom Clare © 2018 |
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For a series that began life pinning its chief selling point to its utilising of the then-new PlayStation 3’s potent technology, MotorStorm’s third outing, a technologically retrograde step onto PSP, was seen as something of a gamble. Arctic Edge’s emergence in 2009 was a statement of commitment from Sony to its flagship portable which, having enjoyed strong sales during its first couple of years, had seen interest levels on the wane, in western markets at least, by the mid-point of its cycle.
But if Arctic Edge was intended to spearhead a software revival, it wasn’t reflected in its poor performance at retail. A lack of advertising likely didn’t help, nor would the arrival of the forever-delayed portable Gran Turismo just two weeks later have done it any favours either. The muted reception wasn’t indicative of the game’s quality though; it could hardly have been better.
Arctic Edge adapts the MotorStorm formula so it’s a great fit in handheld form, delivering a number of small but notable touches that result in a more enjoyable experience than its console equivalents. The main difference is the setting, with the racing taking place amidst snowy landscapes and icy tundras, making for a pleasant change from the over-subscribed dirt tracks that populated the PS3 original. As ever, the range of vehicles is comprehensive, covering everything from bikes to rally cars, snowpluggers to buggies and more besides. It’s one thing to lump them all into a race together, but the design is so tight that each offers a viable, varied driving experience, and all are competitive in the right hands. Things are helped greatly by some of the most precise controls the analogue nub has offered in any racing game on the PSP.
But if Arctic Edge was intended to spearhead a software revival, it wasn’t reflected in its poor performance at retail. A lack of advertising likely didn’t help, nor would the arrival of the forever-delayed portable Gran Turismo just two weeks later have done it any favours either. The muted reception wasn’t indicative of the game’s quality though; it could hardly have been better.
Arctic Edge adapts the MotorStorm formula so it’s a great fit in handheld form, delivering a number of small but notable touches that result in a more enjoyable experience than its console equivalents. The main difference is the setting, with the racing taking place amidst snowy landscapes and icy tundras, making for a pleasant change from the over-subscribed dirt tracks that populated the PS3 original. As ever, the range of vehicles is comprehensive, covering everything from bikes to rally cars, snowpluggers to buggies and more besides. It’s one thing to lump them all into a race together, but the design is so tight that each offers a viable, varied driving experience, and all are competitive in the right hands. Things are helped greatly by some of the most precise controls the analogue nub has offered in any racing game on the PSP.
Gah! It's the old screen within a screen
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Arctic Edge sports lots of vehicles and some awesome weather effects
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Circuits show off considerable flair as well as some impressive technical achievements. In keeping with the series’ open-expanse appeal, each of the eight tracks features numerous route variations; there’s the usual factors of risk and reward attached to each, plus certain routes that are better suited to specific vehicles. There’s a nice sense of freedom, though it’s never so large as to see you taking wrong turns mid-race. The gameplay benefits from slightly simplified crash physics, as though Arctic Edge is guilty of the odd moon-gravity moment, the terrain is a lot more forgiving and consistent on the whole; there’s no being bounced on to your roof courtesy of invisible pot-holes at least. The boost gauge returns and, in a really clever touch, its temperature can be regulated by driving through water or heavy snow. The myriad of treacherous ice-bridges, avalanches and insane jumps mean that whilst MotorStorm: Arctic Edge is challenging, it’s also a great deal of fun.
As ever, the one-player Festival consists mainly of individual races that mix a variety of track and vehicle combinations, and there’s the occasional time trial and multi-race invitational thrown in too. Thanks to ample use of the reverse courses, there are just short of a hundred challenges in all. There’s also a more discernible learning curve than in Evolution’s early MotorStorm’s, making it palpably more accessible. Be aware though, that by the last twenty or so races the difficulty is ramped up to near-ludicrous proportions, affording zero margin for error. It’s one of the few games I’ve encountered where the A.I. proved even tougher than the players you’ll face online…
As ever, the one-player Festival consists mainly of individual races that mix a variety of track and vehicle combinations, and there’s the occasional time trial and multi-race invitational thrown in too. Thanks to ample use of the reverse courses, there are just short of a hundred challenges in all. There’s also a more discernible learning curve than in Evolution’s early MotorStorm’s, making it palpably more accessible. Be aware though, that by the last twenty or so races the difficulty is ramped up to near-ludicrous proportions, affording zero margin for error. It’s one of the few games I’ve encountered where the A.I. proved even tougher than the players you’ll face online…
Could be a while before John Lewis sees their spring range delivered
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Arctic Edge really does love its jumps and sumptuous vistas
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…Which leads us swiftly on to the game’s best feature: its excellent online mode. Few PSP games have made such good use of the system’s online capabilities, but Arctic Edge delivers some fantastically addictive, close racing with up to five opponents. You’re limited to two race types with no tournament options, and longer races aren’t encouraged due to requirement of finishing within 30 seconds of the winner in order to be classified (even if you are running 2nd), which can become difficult if you crash a couple of times. Still, good results are rewarded with leaderboard points, and you can save and upload your Time Attack laps so as to rank your fastest times against others.* Progress made in the Festival unlocks new vehicles and customisable body kits that can in turn be shown off in the online races, so though the one-player can be hellish tough at times, it’s really rewarding.
It continues to impress; the menus are some of the sharpest and most attractive to have graced the PSP, whilst in-game a closer look at the snowy locales reveals significant attention to detail, with waterfalls, wind swirls, smoke beacons and even aurora’s dominating the horizon. Very dynamic, and all the more striking when you consider how smoothly the gameplay runs. The vehicles also look great, and even though it wasn’t strictly required of the developers as there are no performance-effecting damage parameters (you’re either running, or you’re wrecked and have to respawn), dents and scrapes pepper the bodywork of those who’ve survived a few tight battles.
It continues to impress; the menus are some of the sharpest and most attractive to have graced the PSP, whilst in-game a closer look at the snowy locales reveals significant attention to detail, with waterfalls, wind swirls, smoke beacons and even aurora’s dominating the horizon. Very dynamic, and all the more striking when you consider how smoothly the gameplay runs. The vehicles also look great, and even though it wasn’t strictly required of the developers as there are no performance-effecting damage parameters (you’re either running, or you’re wrecked and have to respawn), dents and scrapes pepper the bodywork of those who’ve survived a few tight battles.
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Due to the punishing difficulty level of later races, and the generally demanding nature of the racing, it isn’t as perfectly suited to gaming-on-the-go as Ridge Racer, due to the need for quick reactions, close control and lots of concentration. In other words, its better played in static surrounds. Otherwise, only the grating rock soundtrack lets the side down, but it can be forgiven this small hiccup.
MotorStorm: Arctic Edge is about as good a racing package as you could wish for on PSP. It pushes the hardware whilst seamlessly pairing successful new ideas with an already-strong foundation. It’s fun, challenging and offers top value for money. It’s miraculous how little Arctic Edge loses little in its transition to the small screen, and in many instances offers stronger gameplay and better ideas than its home console brothers. As such, it can be seen as a tremendous achievement for BigBig Studios.
*Online servers closed in October 2012
MotorStorm: Arctic Edge is about as good a racing package as you could wish for on PSP. It pushes the hardware whilst seamlessly pairing successful new ideas with an already-strong foundation. It’s fun, challenging and offers top value for money. It’s miraculous how little Arctic Edge loses little in its transition to the small screen, and in many instances offers stronger gameplay and better ideas than its home console brothers. As such, it can be seen as a tremendous achievement for BigBig Studios.
*Online servers closed in October 2012
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VERDICT
Visual: 9/10
Audio: 6/10 Gameplay: 9/10 Longevity: 8/10 OVERALL: 9/10 |
MORE GAMES FROM THE MOTORSTORM UNIVERSE REVIEWED
MotorStorm (2007, PS3)
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MotorStorm Apocalypse (2011, PS3)
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