Previews// Midnight Club: Los Angeles - Multiplayer

There are options within the customisation (in looks and performance) to appeal to both casual gamers and the proper gasheads (sorry, City fans – petrol heads – Ed). Some tasteless people, I'm sure, will be using all the layers of stickers available (of which there is an undisclosed number - somewhere more than 25). These same people will also pick one of the more tawdry paint jobs to create cars that look like well travelled suitcases. Rockstar has put its foot down by stopping imports, only giving options for certain themes like flames and shields to stop things getting too complicated.

Other modders will be spending their reputation points wisely to get specific performance-related additions as and when they can. The more relaxed player can just opt for a preset design, using auto-upgrading to unlock and add parts - all of which are specific to the particular vehicle.

All this brings me to another recommendation of the Cockpit view: this is that you can then see the pimped inside of your car too: steering wheels, seats and interior can all be modded, including the addition of neon lights inside as well as out. Certainly there won't be a lot left for Westwood to do once you've been playing this for a while.

With regard to technicalities, I'm told they're reusing the RAGE engine developed for GTA IV by San Diego and given to Rockstar North. Regarding it being all new gen and ting, the dev team has had fun finding out what it is capable of now it's been let loose on an virtual LA, which is the same size as the last three Midnight Club cities put together.

A loyal band of the series’ enthusiasts has stuck with Midnight Club since the beginning and newer ones join with every release. Those band members should be populating the social club and animatedly discussing their lap times while circle jerking over each others' vehicles from release on the 24th of October onwards. They will not be disappointed, but for the rest of us, I'm not sure if there's anything particularly new to pull us over.

Now for some end notes: Although I was only playing 70% complete versions I was reassured that it would be out on both the PS3 and 360 on the same day and that there was no exclusive content.

I have also just been informed today that the multi-player will enable 16 people to drive hell for leather into each other.

Finally, for this update, there are also 11 – yes, 11 – power-ups that I can happily detail for you right here:

NAME TARGET EFFECT

Disrupter - Opponents - Hinders the view of the targeted opponent.
Ice - Opponents - An opponent hit by this power up slides out of control.
Nitro - Self - One tank of Nitrous is filled in your vehicle.
Pulse - Opponents - The target is projected into the air.
Reverse Steering - Opponents - Causes your opponent’s steering to instantly reverse.
Shield - Self - Use the shield to become immune to enemy power ups. Using shield during Capture the Flag blocks the flag from being stolen for a few seconds or until the player absorbs 2 hits or power ups.
Stealth - Self - Use stealth to become invisible for a few seconds.
Stop - Opponents - Your target will suddenly engage both the brake and handbrake.
Mirror - Opponents - When activated, if you get hit with a power up, its effects will reflect off your vehicle and affect the competitor who initiated it.
Agro - Opponents - Increases vehicle mass and damage infliction without a speed penalty.
Random - Varies - This "mystery" power up will only reveal itself when you pick it up.