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Caption
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Going
to extremes
MTX
Mototrax
http://www.mtxmototrax.com
Motocross
games seem to be a staple in the world of consoles. Despite several
titles across the three main platforms, developers continue to release
new games in the genre. Being a motocross/supercross fan, I can't
say I'm all that disappointed by their decision.
Featuring
more than 12 of the current top riders in the sport, such as Travis
Pastrana and Australia's own champ Chad Reed, MTX Mototrax allows
players to embark on a professional motocross career from the ground
up. Joining the 125cc competition as a rookie, players must progress
through events to gain sponsorship deals and eventually factory
team offers. Players can choose to specialise in outdoor motocross
tracks with their long straights and sweeping turns, or hit the
massive jumps for the stadium-based supercross series. Of course,
gluttons for punishment can also race their way to the top in both
categories of the sport.
While
not an absolute requirement within the game, MTX Mototrax includes
all of the craziness now associated with the sport since the increased
popularity of the X Games series. Ridiculously high jumps and unbelievable
aerial stunts can be part and parcel of the game with Crusty Demons
protégés even making it to a virtual X Games competition.
The game also includes a fully customisable supercross track builder
and the ability to create a rider profile from the boots up.
However,
the most fun on this game is without doubt the multiplayer aspect,
whether it just be split screen racing against a mate or jumping
online and racing seven other riders on the XBox Live service, the
game is truly addictive.
Of
course, no extreme sport game would be complete without a suitably
extreme soundtrack and in this respect MTX Mototrax does not fail.
Songs from Pennywise, Slipknot, Jet, Metallica and several other
bands blare out over the distinctive exhaust note of the two- and
four-stroke motorbikes.
For
a limited time MTX Mototrax is offered as a bundle with the DVD
Dial Triple Zero, an Aussie version of Crusty Demons' movie. Watch
for the section on Australia's first house jump - it will leave
you cringing for weeks.
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Caption
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Halo
http://www.microsoft.com/games/halo/default.asp
Halo
has been the standout game on the XBox since the console's release
and two years on it still generates more comments than any other
console game.
It
took a while but Microsoft and Bungie Studios finally ported it
to PC and it has lived up to expectation there as well.
Unfortunately
most avid gamers had already played out the console version when
the PC version hit the shelves, but for those who can't bear the
thought of a console in their house, the Halo PC experience is just
as good.
The
major drawback is the lack of a two-player co-op campaign - the
major drawcard of Halo on the Xbox. In its place, however, is the
increased accuracy of the keyboard/mouse combo control and higher
resolution graphics. Those wanting a multiplayer fix can still play
the normal range of death matches with up to 16 players, although
a high speed broadband connection is really required to enjoy the
large and detailed environments.
Halo
PC retains the ability to jump into several classes of vehicle and
roar across the wild terrain offered by the ring planet.
Halo
2 is now only weeks away (fingers crossed), but those who have not
played the original may want to see what all of the fuss is about.
Veteran XBoxers may just want to practise their skills before the
next chapter in Master Chief's story arrives.
Competition
We have copies of Halo (PC) and MTX Mototrax (PS2) up for grabs
this edition. Entries should be e-mailed to ADFgamesmen@telstra.com
with the name of the game you would like to win in the subject
line. Only one entry per person; subsequent entries will be discarded.
Please include your full name and mailing address in the e-mail
or your entry won't be accepted.
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