Game Review: Motorstorm: Pacific Rift
What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know this is an off-road racer where
aggression is the key to victory. Players will often bump into
vehicles to force them into crashes. When riding bikes or ATVs,
you can even push fellow bikers off their rides. Parents of new
teen drivers might want to consider a
recent
study which suggests that playing some racing games can
increase one's willingness to take risks while driving in real
life. The game is playable
online,
a feature Common Sense Media doesn't recommend for children
under age 12.
Families can talk about off-road racing versus standard racers on tracks. Which environment do you prefer and why?
Common Sense Media Review
Sony returns to the roads less traveled with off-roader
MOTORSTORM: PACIFIC RIFT, an intense and thrilling racing game.
The sequel to
MotorStorm packs a wealth of new tracks and game types
that give the series more heft. The story revolves around a
racing festival on a remote island in the Pacific Ocean. As you
win races, you'll earn experience points that earn you festival
tickets to tougher challenges. Players can also enjoy the game
online through 12-player races, rankings, and matchmaking.
Pacific Rift packs a ton of options for players to choose from. Vehicles vary in speed and size, ranging from motorcycles and ATVs to monster trucks. The tracks look fantastic, offering multiple paths toward the finish. For example, big trucks can muck it up on muddier tracks while ATVs take higher, narrower paths and jumps. Environments are equally balanced. One moment, you're racing through thick brush in a forest. The next race, you're jumping over lava flows or through waterfalls. You'll also earn the opportunity to unlock different events like time trials and eliminators.
For those unfamiliar with MotorStorm, each vehicle includes a boost meter to ramp up your speeds. But if you use your boost for too long, your vehicle explodes. Overall, the racing is exhilarating. Computer-controlled drivers are pretty smart and aggressive. They'll often attempt to bump you off the road or into embankments. When you rush through mud or water, specks will splash onto the screen. Wrecks look explosive. Chunks of metal fly across the screen as vehicles crunch against obstructions. One minor annoyance with Pacific Rift is you're not punished very severely for crashes. This is good for novices, but can feel cheap to the expert player. This proves to be a minor speed bump in the long run, as Pacific Rift presents an invigorating style of off-road racing.
Off-road racing fans should also consider Baja: Edge of Control, DiRT or Pure .
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
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