XBLA Review: "Trials Evolution"

Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios

Developer: RedLynx

Release Date: April 18, 2012 (USA)

Premise:

Trials Evolution is the Sequel to the popular Trials HD Arcade Game. Trials Evolution brings riders out of the warehouse and into the open landscapes of the world, up mountains, over rivers and around many other areas to give the player the feeling of increased freedom.

Gameplay: 

The gameplay for Trials Evolution is identical to Trials HD, with the main difference being the change in landscape. Levels take place all across the world in many different locales. There are several new Game Modes and Abilities included, such as a level where you're not on a Motorcycle but rather on Ski's and you must Ski down dirt slopes to the finish line while attempting to pull off aerial maneuvers.

There are several dozen pre-made tracks in the Single-Player "Campaign" to overcome that get increasingly difficult as you move up the levels, all the while learning how to utilize advanced tricks and maneuvers to overcome the new obstacles. You can also partner up with up to 3 other people in Local or Online Multiplayer to race against each other for the fastest times on tracks in the "Supercross" levels.

A vast improvement to the game comes in the form of the revamped Level Editor. This time around, players can not only create their own custom levels, but they can also enter an Advanced Professional Editor that affords players the abilities to create scripted sequences of explosions and other effects, including the ability to manipulate the camera to create a First-Person-Shooter-type custom map.

Players can also visit an in-game Marketplace where players can freely upload and share their custom-made tracks as well as download new tracks and challenges from other people. The overall emphasis of the game is on aerial maneuvers and super speed mixed with super challenges that is sure to not only entertain for hours, but to frustrate you to hell.

Graphics:

The world of Trials Evolution are improved over Trials HD, even if only slightly noticeable to most. The bike textures and rider character models are very well done, and the tracks and their respective obstacles, ramps and physics-based mechanics fit in very nicely with the overall tone of the racing game.

Sound:

The engine sounds are spot on and sound amazing. The explosions and ambient noises you hear constantly really help you get into the moment of your intense races. You can use the Level Editor to create all sorts of commotion for each track that always seems to fit in perfectly with the tone of your tracks, no matter what your imagination can create.

Length:

It's hard to describe the length of a game like this. There is a "Campaign"-type mode where you get to go through the motions of the tracks/races that were created by the development team and earn medals and points to advance along while learning new tricks and methods to climb obstacles that will take you a few hours to complete.

With the added Level Editor and Pro Editor, the ability to play and customize Skill Tracks and create a near-unlimited amount of tracks will give you hours upon hours of replay value for the game, helping to ensure you don't get bored easily.

Value:

At $15 (1200 MSP) Trials Evolution seems like an easy purchase to make. The fact that you'll have so much fun playing the pre-made tracks for a few hours and then knowing that you can download thousands of tracks from other members free of charge as well as create your own, it becomes a very simple choice to make for purchasing this game.