Motorstorm Online Impressions

Kotaku just spent a hour or so playing Motorstorm Online with some PR folks and other media.

"Not only is online play a total blast, but this latest build seems to have a few more graphics tweaks, so the game looks even better. Maybe I'm crazy but in past builds I don't remember things like an overcast sky or the sun setting as I was running a dusk race.

The good news is that the online build plays with all of the graphic bells and whistles and no apparent slow-downs in game. Of course I was only playing with seven others and the servers were absolutely empty except for us, so I suppose there could be issues when it launches, but I sorta doubt it."

[Captain Tuttle]

It's good to hear a positive Sony story for a change.

[Mikemach]

I ordered the Japan version last week from Japangames online and I've played it for 4 nights and I love this game. It doesn't feel slow at all and the graphics are kick ass. Hell I crashed a bunch of times just because I was looking around admiring the scenery. I wish they would have given more tracks early on to get away from running the same 4 tracks over and over. I like the ticket system and the Semi's are actually fun to race. The mud will blow your mind how realistically it works. I'd say a 8. to a 9 is fair. I'm a Xbox360 guy converting to the Darkside and to be honest I've been happy so far with the PS3. It was really different for me getting used to the controller after all these years of Microsoft pads but I like it. I do miss the rumble though. I'm a old guy and I'm loving all this good gaming love we are seeing these day's.

Mike

[Shadow Flare]

so i know i'll love this. Well pleased its got good online capabilities

[techie]

Yay! Graphics improved on something that is already impressive, AND online play looking promissing :)))

[xfrgtr]

Very good news,especially coming from kotaku.com

[specialguest]

Good online features or even any online features at all for games that SHOULD be online will be the determining factor on buying or not buying a game for me now. I'm glad MotorStorms online play will be great. Too bad for Japan though.

[Shadow Flare]

i forgot where i heard it but i think the developers of Motorstorm were talking to some sony guys who knew about marketing in Japan. Basically, it went that: Japan doesn't care too much for online gameplay but that they are also used to getting second iterations of a game being released at a later date. So if they were to release the new version of Motorstorm with online play in Japan, it would be completely normal to them because they're used to that sort of thing

[NextGen24Gamer]

And I do look foward to its USA release. My only concern is when the servers are full will there be lag? On my xbox 360 all the racing games, sports games, and shooters have absolutely no lag. I have a super fast connection and xbox live is fantastic. The USA relase is exactly like the release in Japan. Except the USA version has Online Multiplayer support. The guy who played it online said it "seems" like hit had some graphical upgrades. But I have read many times that the game exactly the same graphically....That would make a lot of Japanese gamers angry if they released a newer improved Motorstorm here in the US. That would make no sense. The added online...That makes sense.

[techie]

No tis quite common for them to make some tweaks...and in the interview with the devs they said they were making some graphical tweaks...so yuh. For US and the rest of the world, apart from Japan remember. It is Euro launch title remember

[Scrumptious]

On an empty server? Oh Sony has a loooong way to go to catch up to Live.

[highps3]

The game isnt released yet genious.

lmao...

Game is going to be sick.

[techie]

Dude NO no no no no - dont come on here and give us Sh@t - good news is good news, dont spoil it. If its sh't online when it comes out then get spouting - otherwise please be civil.

[Torch]

Hear hear, buddy!

[The great 1]

There's a real sense of fun when playing this game, i'd recommend it to anyone.

[JIN KAZAMA]

or higher. Mark my words people, this game is truly amazing, and there has never been a game like this before. The online is going to be spectacular, and the graphics have even been tweaked a little more. Just mark my words, it will be an average of 9+ for this game. I cant wait for this game to come out. Semi trucks and dirt bikes all in one race, total chaos, crazy cliffs, awesome downloadable content. This is simply going to be the new benchmark for racing games. Be it simulation or not. All the racing games after this, will look at this and say, "If motorstorm did that, then we must strive for excellence in our racing game."
mark my words people, 9+ rating for this game.

[NextGen24Gamer]

But still a good solid 8. It makes it a must buy for me. Hopefully the online will be smooth when the servers are full. We will see. I wish it had rumble though. It's fun but it feels like you are floating around the track. Its definately the best ps3 game thus far. 9 tracks is dissappointing though. Its pure arcade racing fun.

http://www.gamerankings.com...

[JIN KAZAMA]

This will have a average score of 9+ ratings. You say 8, i say 9+. We shall know soon enough. And by the way, i play resistence all the time, there is absolutly no lag whatsoever no matter if its 40 players or not. This game will be the same. Also, I noticed that you are NEVER on the PS3 network. I had added you to my list, but not ONCE did I see you on. NOT ONCE. Whats up with that man. But thats besides the point, anyways, mark my words people, i will say it forever, this game will have an average rating of 9+.

[techie]

Uh no TopGamer - it's and 8 for the Japan version - and they're main critism is 'No online' and 'Not released in the US or Uk yet' so don't say that that its final score for OUR release.

[TheMART]

Jin, with what game exactly should he go online on the PS3? There isn't much apart from Resistance...

The reason why he isn't on the PS3 network probably is because he's on the XBOX Live all the time. I've been gaming with Top Gamer/Real Deal some days ago in Gears of War. Even some of the other 360's in his house were used by others to enjoy the same game.

That was fun. I see Top Gamer/Real Deal online a lot. Just like tonight I did some gaming with Jay Da2kballa, Thammer 1 is online a lot although didn't have the chance to meet up with him online. Land of Sand have been gaming with.

So actually I guess it's because of the network of Sony and the lack of good games that you don't see him online. Which doesn't surprise me at all. Live is just so damn good, a premium online service it can't be beaten so easy

[FirstknighT]

It troubles me that Japan got a weaker version of this game. The US version is supposed to have online play and graphical enhancements. Shows what kind of developer we're dealing with here. I wonder if they went back and improved the game cuz of the average scores it's been getting. Either way, Japan got the shaft. I would be PISSED if their was a better version of Gears of War out there.

[techie]

Average scores? What 85% for a game with one mode of play!? I wouldn't call that average.

[DJ]

I don't think Firstknight realizes how many iterations of Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts were released in Japan (just as a small reminder). You can tell that he and many others have run out of bad things to say when they stop talking about the software and start attacking the developers instead.

A score of 85% for one mode of play (and hardly any extras, to boot) shows how strong this title is/was/don't get technical on me. I can't wait to try this game online. =]

[FirstknighT]

I'm being serious Dj, would you like knowing somebody else is playing a better version of this game??? Your probably going to spin this into a positive but I know I would be PISSED if I got the weaker version. Japan got the shaft.

Yes I said AVERAGE! If you look at the reviews at gamerankings.com. Most sites gave it an 8.

[techie]

Ah - perhaps be clearer in your grammer - with the scores it was getting, which was an average of 8. As it sounded like you were saying scores of 8 was 'average' (ie. not impressive) which I thought it was for a game with one mode of play.

(If you want to take a stab at a sony lover like DJ then find a more respectable and understandle way to do it - he's entitled to be excited about such a game and is most likely right in his predictions of a 9)

To FirstNight below - one I'm not a 'sony dud' -

Two, I'm surprised you're so worried about the Japanese, since you don't seem to care too much for your fellow Americans (and others) when you start spouting at them.

Three, in Japan they are much more likely to get a second release of the game.

Four, they get lots more games than we do anyway.

Five, Japan is very important to Sony and I'm sure they had many discussions - and with the Japan chapter - who decided it was best for an early release. I think it was a desicion well made for a country that doesn't really do that much online gaming - hell I don't either in the UK, it seems to be a much bigger thing in the US.

[FirstknighT]

So Japan gets an 8 version while the US gets a 9 version? Maybe that's why it was delayed after it was already released in Japan. It needed more than just a few tweaks. And this sits right with you? You would be okay if Japan had a better version of Motorstorm?

Okay I'll make sure that I'm more "understandle" for you guys! :D

*EDIT*

DANTESPARTA...

Thier is a big difference from your argument. You have a CHOICE on getting the core or premium 360. There is NO CHOICE for Japan getting the good version of Motorstorm. You sony boys are so weak in your debating skills. So easy proving you sony duds wrong.

[dantesparda]

Hmm so Firstknight is so concerned that there would be a better version of Motorstorm out there if he got the inferior one. Yet that costs $60, but he seems to have no problem at all if there was a better version of his 360 out there, which is $400 (or $300 for the Core, but who buys that?). Funny right? dude get out of here with your crap, you're obvious, just like that other fake TopGamer, with his trying to sound like he aint biased, plz! And TheMart must be a marketing guy. TheMart and DJ are counterparts, but where TheMart is super mad repetitive, i gotta say DJ is a master "spinner" that dude can put a happy face on anything. But both are highly entertaining.

[Peter Moore says]

I'll have to do some manly favours for Bill if he finds out about this game in order to stop him giving me the sack!

[fenderputty]

The title says it all. It's been a must have for me for quite some time.

[timmyp53]

haha

[gogators]

and really enjoy it, then that is all that matters. It doesn't matter what someone else think, particularly game reviewers. Marvel universe didn't get great reviews, but I really enjoyed the game. I got my money's worth out of the purchase. COD 3 got better reviews, but I just couldn't get into it and didn't get my money's worth from the game. If I buy motorstorm and enjoy it, then that's all I care about.

[dantesparda]

No, but see, thats not how it works for these fanboys, no, they gotta come on here and ridicule your system, or your version of the game, cuz thats all that matters to them. And reasoning is not gonna work with them. The only solace i can see if that, it seems like many of them are tiring

[Munky]

All that matters is if YOU enjoy playing the game. Regardless of its rating, regardless of what system it is for, if YOU like the game that is the only thing that matters.

[NextGen24Gamer]

Will not average in the 9's. Some review sites will give it a 9. But on average it will be in the 8's. i don't see a 5 percentage jump simply because they added online play. The guy who played it online clearly says it seems like there are a few graphical tweaks. He didn't talk to a developer...he was going off of memory. I have read articles with the developer saying that they were only adding online to the game. Not reworking the graphics or adding to the graphics. I think many of you are just being hopeful that it will have upgraded graphics or hopeful that online play will boost the ratings of the game over 5 percentage points. I see maybe 2 or 3 percentage points. But the core of the game is identical. Only online is added. Now, with that said. I am still looking foward to this game. I am still dissappointed there is NO rumble...and a game that rates in the 8's is a "Good" to "Great" game. And my ps3 needs some of those. Thats why I'm hardly on the playstation network. I use my ps3 as a blu ray player. I bought The Marine today and plan on watching it tonight. Resistance is an "OK" game to me. I love FPS games. But MS has spoiled me with all the top notch shooters I have been playing for a year now. Resistance as is would be at the bottom of the pile for 360 shooters. I'm just being honest. Its not bad...its just not that good compared to what I have been playing on xbox 360. If I had never played the 360's shooters....I would think more highly of it...But I have and its dissappointing for "ME".

P.S. Mart...it was fun playing with you. You were playing with Me, my son, his friend, and my Wife. We were all in the same house on different 360's with our own HD TV's...Sometimes you will see me with 6 of us at my home playing together. I have the 8 meg comcast connection so there is never lag in my games. Just pure fun. I will see you online again and play some more. I just got done playing Gears of War.

Jin...did you add me as a friend? If so, I will accept your request when I watch Marine after the Lakers game.

P.s.s. I see some of you took my bubbles away. WOW. I think that DUSTY should review when people attempt to quiet people who never have anything but honest, non bashing, truthful things to say on the thread.... Obviously some of my experience and thoughts really bother sony only fans. I don't bash or trash...I just speak from personal experience and info I have learned. Calling all "GAMERS"...help me get the bubbles back that SONY ONLY lovers took from me. That is just pathetic. If you can't stand my honestly...click ignore me and live in your only bubble where everything is just rosey in SONY land.

[dantesparda]

You just did! you just attacked them, by accusing them. And why do you think that Sony fanboys would be against you? cuz you are always downing their system and hiding behind the guise of this supposed cordial "honesty", but what you really come off as is biased, and as having an agenda. So give it a rest. How do you find the time to even come on here when you have like a million and one games to play. Is there any game or system you dont know? What do you do anyways?

[funkybudda]

dude, silence is golden, leave ur "fair" opinion out of this thread. I think they can use your help in the other thread "Microsoft comes under fire from BBC's Watchdog programme", http://www.n4g.com/xbox360/...

[ApocalypseShadow]

i love racing games!online,offline,graphic tweaks,or not.the demo tells me i will love this game.

i think the game will average somewhere between 8.5-9.0.not everyone likes the same type of game.and to be truthful,i've never seen that many ten games in my life.super mario,contra 3, castlevania 4,super metroid,gunstar heroes,sonic 1,streets of rage1 and 2,street fighter 2 turbo,soul calibur,shenmue 1 and 2.games like that. to me those games are still tens in my book.

but perfection is in the eye of the beholder.motorstorm should be great though.jin,if i do go online,watch out for my motorcycle.the mud can cake up if your not in first.

[Funky Town_TX]

Now how about killzone PS3 (e3-05 version).

[Genki]

but also very frustrating at times. I recall coming across a post in another forum suggesting the title should have been "fall of a cliff-storm", which is pretty accurate IMO. I am, admittedly, not a fan of off-road racers at all though, so needless to say, I'm not exactly the most adept player when it comes to these types of games. That said, I do thoroughly enjoy the demo, and for me personally, that's saying a lot considering my stance on off-road racers.

The frustration sets in from the constant deaths and explosions that occur. They are a sight to behold, but it wears thin as you crash 8+ times per race...and sometimes you'll fly off the edge as a result of what I call "phantom bumps". What I mean by this, is that sometimes I'll run over a seemingly level area of terrain, only to somehow pop into the air and go, you guessed it, right over a cliff. There's also something of a trampoline effect when returning from certain ramps, where you simply bounce right off of a cliff immediately upon landing...which brings me to my next point. I simply hope these issues are either fixed or worked on to at least a less frustrating degree.

Also, for those who don't believe that there may be tweaks applied to the American and European versions, I would think about this, as we have seen this in the past, although primarily with JRPG's. Remember, FFVII had additional bosses in the American version, and we're talking about 10 years ago, so I don't think it's as far-fetched as some may think.

Despite my feelings about this game, I know a quality product when I see it, and I have all the confidence in the world that this game will please off-road fans and casual gamers alike, and possibly others as well. Again, as a gamer with an admitted sour taste, if you will, for off-road games, I would even give Motorstorm(only based upon the demo of course), a good 7.5. I'm anxious to play the full version though, I'd like to try out the other vehicles(and online play, of course).