MotorStorm rushed to Japan (and it shows)

by James Ransom-Wiley { Dec 19th 2006 at 2:25PM }

An IGN staffer calls the Japanese version of MotorStorm "the most featureless racer I've ever played." The hurried release lacks both online and offline multiplayer, time attack and free run modes, and basic settings for number of racers and lap count. But trim doesn't equal fast, as load times stretch to the 45-second mark; even vehicle selection is bogged down by model load-ins (and you'll have to break out the manual for vehicle stat comparisons).

Still, IGN holds out hope for the "real" version of MotorStorm (expected to launch in March), anticipating "one of the finest racing experiences ever." How a racer can be both utterly featureless and "the most technically impressive game I've ever played" is a bit of an enigma to us, but IGN has certainly been impressed by MotorStorm's potential. PlayStation 3's first must-have? Not yet.

Tags: Evolution Studios, EvolutionStudios, MotorStorm, PS3, Racer, Racing

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Jimmuy Bay @ Dec 19th 2006 2:32PM

Joystiq do you have something against reporting poor reviews and bad media coverage (or lack thereof, oddly enough) on the Xbox 360?

John @ Dec 19th 2006 2:33PM

how can you have a racing game without rumble? espicially on a gravel based racing game like that!

its missing an entire element of gameplay and therefore looks a bit crap! also the graphics arent anything the 360 couldnt pull off!

if you want a good next gen racing game I suggest PGR3 or burnout for the 360! both beat this joke of a game hands down!

if u want a good racing game generally, i suggest gran turismo 4! the rumble alone makes it better! lol!

:)

RD @ Dec 19th 2006 2:37PM

Honestly, I severely dislike Sony, but I saw this game at Walmart and was impressed by the graphics and physics.

I do agree that the 360 can pull off similar feats of graphics and physics, but don't try to tell me that anything out there currently for the 360 matches the specs of this game.

Does anyone know of a game coming out for the 360 that can compete with Motorstorm in the graphics/physics department? (Excite Truck beats them both with enjoyment level and control ;))

Derbeste @ Dec 19th 2006 2:38PM

Uhh....Jimmuy....

They did.....

A YEAR AGO!!!!!!!!

silkylove @ Dec 19th 2006 2:38PM

PS3 is the new kid in town and he's a rich, whinny bitch with tight pants and a pocket protector. He obviously wasn't ready for high school because he's getting wedgies and swirlies left and right. 360 had their initiation last year and they made it through relatively unscathed. Now they're the cool upperclassman. Get used to the bad Sony press because it's going to continue until they fix the shortage problems, underwhelming graphics, launch date lies, backward compatibility issues, etc.

White Rose Duelist @ Dec 19th 2006 2:42PM

Nothing can be as featureless as Big Rigs: Over the Road Racing

http://www.netjak.com/review.php/537

rom @ Dec 19th 2006 2:43PM

Jimmuy Bay,

Considering that this game will most likely cost $60 when it reaches here, it’s nice to have information like this. A lot of PS3 owners are looking forward to this game. If the developers don't correct the problem before coming here, a lot of people are going to be burned by it. Bad news or not, it needs to be said. After all, it’s our money on the line here.

Marty @ Dec 19th 2006 2:48PM

I'm really beginning to wonder if they can even fit any more nails in Sony's coffin, hehe.

CrapCorn @ Dec 19th 2006 2:50PM

Hahaha, Marty they can't, but we are forming a nice pile of spare nails next to the coffin

xD

Derek @ Dec 19th 2006 2:50PM

The game is all potential at this point. The graphics, while detailed, have an aliased "sparkly" look to them. The physics, while semi-realistic, are too floaty and the races feel like they take place in slow motion. The crashes/explosions, while visually impressive, happen far too frequently and last way too long. I'm basing all this on the demo, which I've played pretty thoroughly. Hopefully they'll tweak these issues and add more modes before release.

Jason B @ Dec 19th 2006 2:57PM

I am soooo sick of hearing about this console's potential. Is this what people said about the xbox when it came out 1 year after the Playstation 2? Did they say "oh, the games suck now, but the console has soooo much potential".

Regula Oblique @ Dec 19th 2006 2:57PM

"The crashes/explosions, while visually impressive, happen far too frequently and last way too long. "

If you knew how to race you wouldn't crash, and all you have to do is press X to speed up the crash scenes.
I think the game feels pretty fast like any normal racing game, and it has a learning curve but after you get the hang of the game its really great.

Steve @ Dec 19th 2006 2:58PM

All console makers tolerate certain negative traits of the industry. Sony has always tolerated painfully slow load times with its systems. The PSX, PS2, and PSP are notoriously bad with load times. Nintendo stubbornly tolerated horrendously bad screens on its handhelds for well over a decade. Sony, on the other hand, used a bright, backlit screen on its first handheld. Microsoft doesn't yet have the history of the other guys but seems to tolerate high hardware failures as a non issue.

Norm @ Dec 19th 2006 3:04PM

I played the demo for this and the last thing I thought was "realism". It just reminded me of those crappy ATV games that get pushed out every other month or so, only this time, its no fun.

jSn @ Dec 19th 2006 3:09PM

yawn, yet another PS3 game that isn't up to snuff. But hey, you can sling mud in a realistic manner, that's all that really matters.

B33 @ Dec 19th 2006 3:11PM

It's incredible how so many people can act like little bitches and whine so much about things... The Japanese version was stripped out a bit to make a early release date. Everything stripped out will be featured in the Us and Europe release.

Now I know why I hate Joystiq... Nothing but bias articles and losers who whine about every little thing.

Fred T @ Dec 19th 2006 3:13PM

What's it gonna be?

Excite Truck with N64 graphics, tinny sound tracks, and shorter load times.

OR

MotorStorm, which blows away any racing game on Wii or 360, and longer load times.

Norm @ Dec 19th 2006 3:14PM

You forgot to mention the high number of PS2s that crapped out early on in their lifespan, steve. I used to work at a game store, and for the first year after the the PS2 launched, I'd say 1 out of 6 systems sold got replaced within their warranty period due to some kind of system failure. Same thing with the first playstation, I heard.

n3rrd @ Dec 19th 2006 3:16PM

The PS3 unit where I work has the demo disc in it, and the demo of this game is horrendous. It feels slow as all hell while in play, and has some issues with blurring when you take turns too quickly, but not in a realistic way (though that could be the panel).

The crashes are neat, and the models are well done, but the game plays terribly.

Tony @ Dec 19th 2006 3:18PM

"Now I know why I hate Joystiq... Nothing but bias articles and losers who whine about every little thing."

So basically you think stripping out content to this degree in a single territory to make release isn't the problem? It's places like Joystiq who have a negative opinion of such practices?

Hello?

buttlover @ Dec 19th 2006 3:20PM

Fred T - the load times didnt bother me much, good things come to those who wait. Sony delayed this game in the usa because of these problems. They are putting multiplayer and online in the game so that right there makes it at least a must have game. I have the japanese version but if i knew it wouldnt even have two player mode i would have waited. I am thinking about selling it on ebay to some poor sap who doesnt know better. like i was!

mike @ Dec 19th 2006 3:20PM

"I do agree that the 360 can pull off similar feats of graphics and physics, but don't try to tell me that anything out there currently for the 360 matches the specs of this game. "

i'm just gonna assume 'specs' is some l33t nerd slang for 'fun'.....*scratches head

UnDone14 @ Dec 19th 2006 3:21PM

I feel like I'm taking crazy pills. It seems like many people are praising the potential this game has, but when I played the demo, I was VERY unimpressed. I played this crap at Best Buy. The controls were slow and sluggish. The graphics did not impress me one bit. It looked like someone mentioned earlier, those ATV Offroad games. I tried the Sixaxis enabled feature, and it was worse. I would tilt the controller and got very little response.

DBX00 @ Dec 19th 2006 3:23PM

The first must have PS3 game was Resistance Fall of Man...at least respect the killer applications even if you hate the 'evil' empire. The game got like 9.5 reviews; this is just ridiculous...I've played the demo and the game looks good but I don't really like any racing games

Flit @ Dec 19th 2006 3:28PM

"Nothing can be as featureless as Big Rigs: Over the Road Racing"

Hey, at least you could Exceed terminal velocity. In reverse. And the game didn't stop for 12 seconds every time I crashed.

Josh @ Dec 19th 2006 3:31PM

"17.
MotorStorm, which blows away any racing game on Wii or 360, and longer load times."

I don't know, Project Gotham Racing 3 impresses the hell out of me. It has so many gameplay modes that I haven't actually hit all of them. It pretty much has no equal when it comes to online racing, either.

Motorstorm and PGR3 are two completely different games, of course. But when you say that Motorstorm (with its flat bushes that clip through your vehicle) blows away every racing game on the 360 or Wii, you have to expect someone to call you on it.

JPRacer @ Dec 19th 2006 3:32PM

PGR3 on the 360 looks and plays better than MotorStorm. PGR3 got more polys, more/better textures, better lighting, rumble, great control, great gameplay, online play, leaderboards, etc... And it's a 1st gen title. I played 10 minutes of MotorStorm and came away un-impressed. It's not bad but it's not great either. A 7/10 max.

bubbastump @ Dec 19th 2006 3:32PM

Played the game at Best Buy. The framerate was horrible and it all seemed to be moving in semi slow-mo. I don't know what the deal was but the game definately was not very impressive. Definately not a Title for anyone to say "Geez look what the PS3 can do".

ChronoZaga @ Dec 19th 2006 3:34PM

First must have? Um, perhaps you missed the memo, there's this game called "Resistence: Fall of Man," yeah, it pretty much rocks my socks off.

jason @ Dec 19th 2006 3:36PM

I find completely irritating and absurd that load times are still an issue in gaming. I HATE load times. Thats why I LOVE Nintendo, cause they seem to hate them as much as I do.
All that loot for so much PS3 power, and you're still twiddling thumbs waiting to play. WACK!

Skwurl @ Dec 19th 2006 3:40PM

"What's it gonna be?

Excite Truck with N64 graphics, tinny sound tracks, and shorter load times.

OR

MotorStorm, which blows away any racing game on Wii or 360, and longer load times."

Hold on just a minute.

Regardless of which game is better, have you actually played an N64 game recently? Drawing a parallel between Excite Truck and 'N64 graphics' is plain old fashioned retarded.

Either you're an idiot or you're legally blind.

Pick one.

Hoffer @ Dec 19th 2006 3:42PM

@10

I agree 100%. I crash or fly off the cliff at least 5 times a lap in the demo. Then I just sit there and yell at the screen because it takes so long for the crash animation to end. The game is also slow as hell. Hitting the boost button gives anything but a sense of speed.

I think the game has potential, but needs a lot of little fixes.

I'll probably buy the game anyway. I only have Resistance right now for my PS3.

FoneBone @ Dec 19th 2006 3:43PM

Is it David Brent, and his good old staff, running Sony Computer Entertainment now?

POed @ Dec 19th 2006 3:45PM

This demo is fun, but I have to agree, it very much reminds me of the countless ATV games dropped on the PS2.

It looks good, but not better than anything on the 360, and certainly nothing like the CGI render target video at E3.

Pip @ Dec 19th 2006 3:48PM

I played this demo on a kiosk and it was terrible. The textures were bland, the frame rate was chunky, and the physics were so off it was like driving a balloon around. Like one of the other posters said, it's a run of the mill crappy ATV game that seems to come out once a year that no one buys.

The only reason this is getting ANY press is because PS3 owners have nothing else worth buying.

shivr @ Dec 19th 2006 3:49PM

so... this is the game thats in all the ps3 demo kiosks? I was playing the guitar hero 2 demo in my local gamestop the other day, which was located right next to the ps3 kiosk (which mean they turned down the sound on the ps2 TV and way cranked up the ps3, which sucked for playing guitar hero :( ) The game was pretty muh constantly being played, and from what I observed after the initial "wow graphics!" moment the game itself is pretty bad. It looked slow, the loading times were terrible, everything was floaty, the environment was bland, and the color scheme suuuucked. Also people would often stop in the store to gawk at the screen, though I thought it was funny when this one couple watched the game for like 20 minutes, until the man watching suddenly exclaimed "oh, thats the ps3!" Clear difference between this gen and last indeed :p

I'm guessing if people this this is one of those must-own titles, they must have seen some serious behind the scenes stuff...

james fear @ Dec 19th 2006 3:53PM

If you've played the motorstorm demo and somehow think its better than the arcade blast of excite truck or the undeniable gem that is pgr3 your sorely mistaken and a blind fanboy at best. Load times alone are pathetic but the actual gameplay, however shiny looking, does nothing to make up for it as motorstorm can't figure out what sort of racer it wants to be.

PGR3 does an excellent job of giving you sim realism in an arcade setting. IF anybody had been paying attention they would have just tried to make the offroad equivalent of pgr3. And then the ps3 crowd would have something to crow about. Sadly it sounds like that boat has long sailed as I seriously doubt the US version will stray much from the japan version.

solomonrex @ Dec 19th 2006 3:56PM

Thank you all. I was beginning to wonder if I should check out the demo again. I was sooo unimpressed, I thought any numbers of games looked better, gt4, colin mcrae, rallisport, let alone played better.

The hype on this game is way out of whack. Sony should be embarassed.

KilgoreTrout XL @ Dec 19th 2006 4:04PM

That's a shame. I saw it running at an EB Games Kiosk and I'll be damned if it didn't look flat-out amazing.

Neil @ Dec 19th 2006 4:05PM

"How a racer can be both utterly featureless and "the most technically impressive game I've ever played" is a bit of an enigma to us"

Let me spell it our for you then. the g-a-m-e-p-l-a-y i-s g-r-e-a-t b-u-t t-h-e o-p-t-i-o-n-s a-r-e l-a-c-k-i-n-g.

MoonfirePewPEwPEw @ Dec 19th 2006 4:05PM

"First must have? Um, perhaps you missed the memo, there's this game called "Resistence: Fall of Man," yeah, it pretty much rocks my socks off."

A game that pales in comparison to Gears of War in gameplay, textures, framerate and above all fun? And that "rocks your socks off"?

You must have very low standards.

braids @ Dec 19th 2006 4:12PM

I played the demo as well and thought it was ok at best. The game was a mixed bag to me. The biggest problem to me is a old tired issue, lack of rumble. Games like this screams force feedback.

Les Doodis @ Dec 19th 2006 4:15PM

I was at Circuit City last night and watched a kid play through some of the Motorstorm demo. As the game was loading up, I thought, "Pick a car and hit play, already." Then I realized it was just loading. Then every time he crashed I thought, "Hit a button to stop this crash sequence already." Then I realized it couldn't be skipped.

The game looks visually impressive, but the slow loading and long crash sequences would drive me completely insane. So this is next-gen, eh? Hmm.

DBX00 @ Dec 19th 2006 4:16PM

MoonfirePewPEwPEw

You haven't spent much time playing RFOM? Gears of War may be a great game, but that doesn't really take away from the fact that RFOM is also a great game. Give respect where respect is due. Also, can people stop using adjectives like that strengthens your case? "pale in comparison"...what planet are you on? Most of these games aren't graphically that far from each other. I've played both those games on my 1080p display and unless I'm focused on graphics they are close enough for me to focus on gameplay. My point, they are both great games and it's definitely a PS3 killer application at launch which is something that consoles rarely have these days on day 1 with the exception of Nintendo.

POed @ Dec 19th 2006 4:17PM

"A game that pales in comparison to Gears of War in gameplay, textures, framerate and above all fun?"

I played Resistance after beating GoW the week before and was shocked at how average it was. It's a good game, but nowhere near the ratings that sites like ign, Gamespot gave it. It looks much worse than GoW and the gameplay is nothing new. I think the other PS3launch games were so bad that it made Resistance look like a AAA title. I had high hopes, but it's a forgettable FPS at the end of the day.

MoonfirePewPEwPEw @ Dec 19th 2006 4:20PM

"Gears of War may be a great game, but that doesn't really take away from the fact that RFOM is also a great game. Give respect where respect is due."

I gave enough credit to the game by not calling it garbage.

Is it a good game? Yes it is.
Is it a solid addition to the very limited PS3 library? Yes it is
Does it deserve the must have hype and praise it has received? No.

AirIntake @ Dec 19th 2006 4:34PM

I saw 4 PS3s (60GB) at my local Walmart today. I also saw a guy pick up a 360 premium and two people ask when more Wiis were coming in.

Last weekend I played the MotorStorm demo. I instantly noticed some pretty low res textures for a next gen game. It was far too easy to see where track polys came together because of this. My girlfriend mentioned that the game seems to slow down and stutter, though I didn't really notice this myself while playing.