There seems to be quite a fashion for dirt bike sims at present – this latest dust-churning racer from Activision is one of two such titles released on the same day. As is also fashionable at present, things are getting more realistic, more authentic and more comprehensive, and MTX Mototrax is no different, offering intense realism, in-depth customisation and extreme high speeds.

The usual racing/extreme sports game rules apply: you take to the handlebars of your dirt bike of choice, befo ... more >>

There seems to be quite a fashion for dirt bike sims at present – this latest dust-churning racer from Activision is one of two such titles released on the same day. As is also fashionable at present, things are getting more realistic, more authentic and more comprehensive, and MTX Mototrax is no different, offering intense realism, in-depth customisation and extreme high speeds.

The usual racing/extreme sports game rules apply: you take to the handlebars of your dirt bike of choice, before being challenged with becoming the king of the track and earning all the fame and fortune of a true champion. The main way of achieving this is through the game’s Career Mode, which sees you work your way up through the ranks in the usual way and progress through all the relevant disciplines – motocross, supercross and freestyle – to become the ultimate MX athlete. Alternatively, if stunts and big air are more your cup of tea then you’d be more likely to enjoy the Freestyle Events, in which you can battle for first place against a pack of seven AI riders and show-off your high-flying creativity.

Where the game treads new territory for such a game however is in its online offerings. Should you have got round to getting your PS2 hooked up then you can also take advantage of the game’s multiplayer support, which allows up to eight players to battle for the finish line across 24 different levels, set across a variety of international locations. As well as the actual racing, MTX also gives you the chance to create your own customised tracks and trade them with other players online.

A fairly heavily emphasised element in MTX is its Rider Customisation and Upgrade System. This sees you earn cash as you make your way through your career (if you’re good enough, obviously), which you can then use to either unlock a range of exclusive free-ride environments or purchase gear and equipment upgrades. As mentioned before, this is all authentic gear, coming from respected manufacturers such as Yamaha and Suzuki, as are the bikes themselves, the power of which you can upgrade as you progress, from 125cc and 250cc 2-strokes to 250cc and 450cc 4-strokes.

If there’s one word to accurately describe MTX Mototrax then it has to be ‘comprehensive’ – the game has plenty on offer, accurately covers all aspects of the sport and, with the inclusion of the online functionality, has a fair amount of replay value in it.
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