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MX vs. ATV: Untamed Review for PlayStation 2 (PS2)

MX vs. ATV: Untamed Review for PlayStation 2 (PS2)

This game exists to force you to purchase the PS3

MX vs. ATV Untamed for the PS2 is definitely a disappointment for fans of the Unleashed series. This Untamed version could definitely use some grooming. It’s unfinished, unruly, and under-whelming. I can’t even think of one good reason for it to exist, considering that just about any Unleashed version is superior in virtually every way.

MX vs. ATV: Untamed screenshot

The only reason that it does exist is because this game was also released for the PS3 and the X360, as well as “all the rest.” So the job of dumbing down the game was thrown to Incinerator Games. The result is some kind of hand-me-down from the next-next gen consoles. It’s an entirely different game than offered on the superior consoles, yet it’s obvious that the PS2 version wasn’t a priority for Rainbow. That’s why I recommend the Unleased series, which was developed specifically for the PS2 in its heyday. You can literally see and feel the difference.

MX vs. ATV Untamed lets you ride a variety of specialized vehicles such as bikes and quads in a series of offroad racing tournaments that include Supercross, Nationals, Supermoto, and Rally. In addition to the bikes and quads, you’ll also be able to drive monster trucks, sand rails, and offroad buggies. The tracks are long and filled with twists, turns, bumps, grinds, ramps, and dangerous obstacles such as walls and trees. Compared to the other games in the series, nothing new has been added to the mix; in fact, you could say that it has devolved somewhat in terms of graphics, control, and overall level of enjoyment. It felt like I was just going through the motions.

MX vs. ATV: Untamed screenshot

Undoubtedly one of the most important aspects of any racing game is the controls. If they feel right, the game will find its audience. The controls can be forgiving, like an arcade-style game, or they can be demanding as in a simulation. The controls in MX vs. ATV Untamed lean closer to an arcade-style but with an unnatural physics that makes the vehicles feel like balloons when catching air, and there are some extremely sensitive commands that jar your vehicle as though you cranked the wheel, even at the lightest touch. It’s all very inconsistent, which makes it difficult to adjust your playing style.

It also doesn’t help that some of the turns on the tracks can be hard to discern visually. There are no arrow indicators. Although you can see a turn or barricade in the distance, it’s not always clear what direction you’ll have to go in. This requires that you memorize sections of the track, which isn’t so much a problem since you have to race each track for five laps and then repeat the entire race to qualify. You can customize the heats to reduce the number of laps in another mode. But unless you get lucky the first time around, or have a photographic memory, prepare to spend more time with these tracks than you normally would, just to get familiar with the layout.

MX vs. ATV: Untamed screenshot

The meat of the game is the Championship and X-Cross modes. Here you will compete in a series of heats until you eventually become the winner. Both modes are very similar, but the Championship mode tries to drag things out for a number of weeks. And drag is what it does. It’s the same old song and dance week after week.

Some diversion is offered in the other modes such as the Challenge, Hill Climb, and Ski Jump mode which are essentially mini-games. In the Challenge mode, you’ll have some objectives to complete that will test your abilities to compensate for the control system. Cornering on the ATVs with the throttle on full is likely to cause you to powerslide right into the scenery. Having to cut the gas when making a sharp turn will solve the problem but at the expense of slowing you down.

MX vs. ATV: Untamed screenshot

The Ski Jump mode really pushes the floaty physics to the max. This is a huge jump where you can really catch some air as you’re launched into the stratosphere. For making money, this mode can’t be beat. Cash will help you with upgrades, outfits, and new bikes and quads. But if you want to buy a monster truck or dune buggy, it’s going to cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars. It will take you a long friggin’ time to accumulate that much dough in the standard modes, but you can expedite your earnings by catching lots of air and landing safely in the Ski Jump mode. Keep in mind that these other unlockable vehicles are only used for superfluous riding. The golf carts and the dune buggies actually feel better than the bikes or ATVs. I guess it’s because you don’t expect much from a golf cart, and the sand has a different feel to it with less in the way of jumps or sharp turns.

Preloading for jumps is easy and effective, for both bikes and ATVs. The clutching for the bikes is smooth, and powersliding is an essential tool. It’s not so easy to pull off on the ATVs, as it tends to be more difficult to control. Stunts are easy to pull off thanks to the extra long, and unnatural, hang time. But that’s the way things are so you might as well get used to it. You certainly won’t complain about the extra air too much when performing the Combo challenges in the Freestyle mode. I really didn’t notice any difference in handling when I upgraded the suspension on my ATV. Other upgrades that are more noticeable are the visual ones such as graphics kits, exhaust systems, and sponsor-sponsored apparel.

The graphics are far too simplistic for the PS2, which further supports my claim that this game was not a priority for the system. The colors are weak, and some of the tracks are very dark in sections. The textures can be repetitive and blurry. Some of the environments are so fake looking that they remind me of exhibits in a mall. Stiff and jerky animations, as well as huge load times add to the general lack of production values. Most of the tunes also belong in a museum. I love rock, but the tunes here lean heavily on the alternate punk fringe of yesteryear. You can pick and choose some tunes on the jukebox menu, but eventually you’re going to have to hear them all since you can’t delete or skip any particular selection. The engine sounds are good, as are the sound effects.

Now that I’ve had to time to think about it, it seems that the only reason that MX vs. ATV Untamed for the PS2 exists is to force players to purchase the superior version on the superior PS3 system.

RATING OUT OF 5 RATING DESCRIPTION 2.7 Graphics
Fake looking scenery, weak colors, repetitive and blurry textures. 2.2 Control
Inconsistent. Too touchy and sensitive with the ATVs. Too floaty on jumps. 3.4 Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Good engine sounds and sound effects, but the alt punk rock tunes can be annoying. 2.3 Play Value
Not nearly as good a game as the Unleashed series. 2.6 Overall Rating – Average
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

  • X-Cross: 6 series are crossed into an offroad championship
  • MX vs ATV: 250cc and 550cc MX bikes and 4 ATV models
  • Ski-Jumps: Pull off the craziest combos ever in MXvsATV
  • Gap-Events: Master the environment by skying over it
  • Crash Camera: Watch the carnage unfold in super slow-mo
  • Rhythm Racing: Pre-loading, clutching, and power-sliding
  • Sponsorships: Carry up to 8 decals on your vehicle
  • Multiplayer: 6 player online competition
  • Vehicles: Motorcycle, ATV, Monster Truck, Sand Rail, Trophy Truck, Offroad Buggy
  • Series: Supercross, Nationals, Opencross, Supermoto, Freestyle, Rally
  • Mini-games: Hill-climbs, Gap events, Ski-jump

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