PlayStation

Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX

Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX really surprised me with its great gameplay and exciting soundtrack. Mat Hoffman really has tough competition on its shoulders, Dave Mirra is a great piece of video gaming software that really shouldn't be overlooked unless you don't prefer extreme sports games. Dave Mirra should be available as soon as you read this and retails for 39.99, after you buy Dave Mirra save up for Mat Hoffman, believe me your going to want both games.

But overall, Dave Mirra BMX is a really good game. The levels are big and well laid out. The single player Quest mode offers interesting challenges, and the two-player mode is extremely competitive. It may not be a Tony Hawk, but it sure ain't a poser.

This is a shame too, because Z-Axis has pieced together a fairly deep package. On each of the 12 courses, a number of unique challenges must be tackled before a new stage can be explored. You’ll find yourself performing obscure feats like jumping over a moving train or destroying a handful of lawn chairs. Striking an innovative blow, the game actually tracks how high you fly, and get this, how long your skid marks are. These highly coveted stats are recorded for all to see. If not for the loose gameplay chemistry, this title would have all the sugar and spice. The visuals are nothing short of stunning, and the game offers plenty of interesting rewards ranging from new bikes and clothing to sponsorship deals and action-packed video clips. Overall though, an unsympathetic difficulty is greatly needed.

I knew there was going to be a BMX game using the Tony Hawk formula, I just didn’t expect it to come from Acclaim. Freestyle BMX is a fun little romp with interesting level design and goals, but it doesn’t come together quite right. For me, what detracts most from the entertainment value is the loose trick-landing requirements and the magically magnetic pegs that suck you toward distant ledges when you grind. There are some original and fun ideas here, though, and if Z-Axis were given a second chance to tighten up the engine and add some gameplay tweaks, this game could be a serious competitor for the Neversoft games it attempts to emulate.

The only major flaw in Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX is that the game is a touch on the easy side. Once you've grasped the game's control scheme, it'll be a day or two before you've completed all of the game's challenges. As such, this is one you'll likely want to rent first.

Au final, Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX s'avère particulièrement décevant en ne bénéficiant pas de la réalisation qu'il aurait très probablement mérité. S'il parait en effet tout à fait alléchant sur le papier, il se révèle en réalité très insuffisant tant ce qu'il nous dévoile parait à certains égards incohérent et risque de créer des réactions épidermiques chez les adeptes et les connaisseurs de ce sport. Par bonheur les possibilités offertes par ce titre sont bien plus satisfaisantes et permettront en mode deux joueurs de s'affronter sur une dizaine d'épreuves différentes.

Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX n'est pas passé très loin du Hit, avec sa prise en main aisée, sa très grande richesse acrobatique, et ses nombreux bonus à gagner. Hélas, ses défauts de réalisation flagrants (animations autres qu'acrobatiques, modélisation un peu grossière et textures souvent malvenues) et le manque de variété des épreuves en solo gâchent le plaisir de jeu. Quitte à emprunter une très grande part des principes qui ont fait le succès de la série des Tony Hawk, Acclaim aurait dû aller jusqu'au bout de l'"inspiration"...