In all my years of gaming I have never been a fan of either motocross or ATV racing games (Well, Excitebike was pretty awesome). For some reason they always came across as tacked together and genuinely un-fun to play. Well it is my extreme pleasure to say that this is not at all the case with PURE. From it’s stunning maps to it’s solid game-play PURE has truly raised the bar for the genre and in it’s own ways the industry.
While in single player the game dabbles in numerous different racing styles from the straight-forward lap races, to time trials and my personal favorite freestyle events. An over-looked detail is that you can play the different events in each section in whatever order you prefer so you’re not really held down by a completely linear schedule of events. Furthermore, you are free to try and re-try and re-try any event you like in hopes of getting the all coveted 1st place across the board.
Visuals
I could not think of a more beautiful backdrop(s) in which to destroy with an overpowered ATV. The folks over at Disney Interactive definitely pulled off some of the most stunning landscapes and maps I have ever seen. Along with the great graphics PURE never slows down, not even for a second. Frame-rate stayed solid throughout my entire experience and screen tearing etc. were nowhere to be found. Case and point the game was beautiful and leads me to believe there’s no reason why all of my games should not look the same or better.
Game-play
The controls felt solid and well constructed and changed dramatically based on the personal customization of your ATV. That being said, there are numerous amounts of mods and customizations you can make to your ATV all of which excluding the strictly cosmetic actually affect game-play! So if you’re like me and have to have 1st place and know how to get there then you will have created 3 to 4 completely unique ATV’s, one for each class and type of event. It feels good to think sometimes doesn’t it?
The trick system is what really brings me into this game, the more tricks you successfully complete the more your boost meter fills up, the more your boost meter fills up the better chance you have of winning down that final home-stretch. Aside from the racing aspect the tricks are just PURE fun.(get it…lol) With stunning animations and over the top tricks exclusive to each character this ought to keep you busy for awhile (considering it never gets old.)
Audio
The sounds in the game are clear and crisp and definitely compliment what’s on-screen. Although I’d have to say the soundtrack is lacking and the addition of a custom soundtrack would have been a god-send; but since you really can’t hear the emo-music over the ridiculously loud roar of 16 ATV engines it’s definitely not a game-breaker. (Plus, you can always just turn the music off in the audio menu)
Online
With a game like PURE I wanted to plug in another controller as soon as I got home and challenge my friends to a race, but unfortunately this could not be. It may just be me but I think ALL racing games should have split-screen, no exceptions. Anyway, hoping for the next best thing I hopped online to try my luck against some other PSN users. Nothing bad can be said about the online experience, the menus are simple and easy to navigate, the game-play was lag free and it was just as much fun as the campaign. Solid experience.
All in All
PURE is a game that should not be over-looked. It strikes the core of why myself and other people like me play video games. To have fun, and PURE is pure unadulterated, un-relenting magnificent, fantastic fun. Can you really ask for more?
And remember…
Don't Panic
Let's take a look at five racing games/series that have largely been forgotten about, but in their day, were actually pretty awesome.
Rumble Racing was really good so was Pure. I was always sad they did not release more of Rumble Racing. It was nascar but in an arcade form which was fun to the average fan.
Replies(1)Motorstorm
Daytona
Ridge Racer
Destruction Derby
Road Rash
Jet Moto And so many more.
GamesRadar - Everyone made fun of me when I said I wanted them to come play Pure with me. Apparently people don't know how awesome this game is. How awesome is it? Well, if you take SSX and put it on ATVs and drink a bunch of Red Bulls you have about half of an idea. Or, you know, you could just watch this awesome video we did of it. Do it!
A breakdown of the best PS3 racing games according to Rantgaming.com. Games are rated based on replay value, graphics, gameplay, and controls
I'm not impressed with much in terms of racing this gen. Graphics have been really raised racently, and it wasn't by the "two kings" (GT and Forza) in racing. Shift 2 and the upcoming Project Cars are now DOMINATING racing games graphically, GT5 and Forza 4/H do not even compare. But physics and gameplay-wise, most everything's been "off" aside from a select few. My short list would be.
#1 GT5. It's still rocking everybody in terms of gameplay and variety. It's got every kind of 4 wheeled racing almost from Karts to F1 and everything in between. GT needs to step it up graphically now though. Forza is the LEAST of their worries there.
#2 Motorstorm Pacific Rift. Just the #1 most fun and intense arcade/off-road racer ever made or ever will be made. SOOOOOO much variety compared to the bare bones (but great) first game, and a way better racing game than the 3rd game which was more like Split-Second than MotorStorm in THIS Motorstorm Fan's opinion.
#3 F1 Championship Edition. This PS3 exclusive launch game is imho still the best F1 game this gen in terms of the racing.
#4 FerrariChallenge/SuperCar Challenge. Alot of people havn't heard about these, they got VERY little attention. They sucked because not alot of cars, but it's a fact that System 3 put into these PS3 exclusives (they were on Wii too, but they weren't as advanced) the most advanced, realistic physics to ever be in a console racer. The same physics they put into their PC sim. Good graphics for the time too. Very under-rated.
#5 Shift 2. This is only here because I think graphically, it's a sneak peek at the next level in racing sim graphics. Project Cars is improving on that. But Shift 2 has HORRIBLE physics and I disliked playing it. If Project Cars can get the physics more in line than Shift 2, and have enough of a garage to have the variety in the racing while keeping the online field fairly even like GT5 does, it will truly be the next level of racing sims, and something may actually pull me away from GT5, which nothing has based on gameplay.
Also: WipeOut HD- awesome game, awesome value, it's expansion makes it an even better value, top notch quality.
