Motocross: Trial Extreme Review

It's a tale as old as time. Or, rather, as old as incredibly cheesy video games and naff Hollywood follow-ups to the Fast and the Furious.

Man moves into town. Man starts racing in town. Man wins plaudits for 'making a mark' on the streets and 'taking down the bad guys'. Man ends up enjoying an evening surrounded by more bosoms than a Carry On movie, a can of whipped cream, and a curiously shaped cucumber.

In reality, though, have you ever seen anyone afforded such delicacies because he knows how to handle his Nissan Sunny?

Have you actually witnessed the victor of a spin around ASDA's car park rewarded with more new female 'friends' than an X Factor-winning boyband?

Gameloft cleary has.

Yes, Motocross: Trial Extreme is a story of a man who takes to the streets on his bike and comes out on top.

Starting off in New York, you take control of the soon-to-be lothario's two wheels, as he moves from one challenge to the next, pulling off tricks and picking up gold coins.

This is no 3D affair, however. Instead, action is viewed from side-on, with courses – which encompass everything from rooftop rallies to runs around the arena - presenting climbs and descents aplenty.

In truth, this is less a race to the finish line, and more a case of managing the carnage and somehow sneaking home before the clock runs down.

While there are, in fact, a variety of modes on offer throughout play, the standout moments are the races and time trials – both of which amount to the same thing.

Using '2' to accelerate, '5' to boost (when you've picked up enough orbs), and '4' and '6' to keep your balance, you spend most of your time keeping your pace up and attempting to stay level – though the game does encourage the odd mid-air trick, performed by holding down the '0' key.

It's a setup that will seem incredibly familiar to fans of Digital Chocolate's Rollercoaster Rush series, if only because this is largely identical. Or, at least, it tries its best to be.

Problem is, the tracks here are nowhere near as good as those they ape. Motorcross: Trial Extreme struggles to find its rhythm throughout: its courses are especially unforgiving for anyone who attempts to follow his own path.

In effect, everything from the moment you should boost to a ripe opportunity for a trick or two has been pre-defined, making play a case of following orders rather than having fun and experimenting.

In the end, Motorcross: Trial Extreme really is that tale as old as time, but one that's been told far better many times before.