The Joystiq Free Game Club: Trackmania Nations Forever
by Justin McElroy 
{ Jun 9th 2008 at 11:00AM }
Free or not, we don't think this is a game that anyone should miss. There are tons and tons of races to play against the clock, allowing you to collect medals and compare your major awards with people in your region, nation and all over the globe. And if you tire of racing by your lonesome, you can take a spot in massive multiplayer competitions with everyone vying not to beat others to the finish line but to get the fastest lap time.
It's easy to play, it's free, it's fun, we think a download should be a foregone conclusion. But, as always, this is the Joystiq Free Game Club, so the final word is yours. What do you think?
For another look at the Freeware scene, check out BigDownload's Freeware Friday series.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Razzx2 @ Jun 9th 2008 11:10AM
This game is the shiz-nite
Dr. @ Jun 9th 2008 11:12AM
It's a solid game, and there's tons of tracks. Definitely a fun way to spend an afternoon.
GrizzlyAdams @ Jun 9th 2008 11:12AM
I can come up with a very good reason, that GARBAGE copyprotection they shoved down our throats in the last incarnation. I'm boycotting them just for that reason. Yes I know they are no longer using starforce, but they haven't done anything yet to make up for using it in the past. I have no problem with copyprotection in general, but when you install what amounts to a rootkit I have a problem with it.
Justin McElroy @ Jun 9th 2008 11:19AM
It's free, Grizzly, what do you want them to do to convince you to not spend money on it? Give you a very special hug?
GrizzlyAdams @ Jun 9th 2008 11:43AM
That would be a good start. But how about they lift some of the limits they impose as an apology for using starforce in the past?
Dave A. @ Jun 9th 2008 12:38PM
I downloaded it from Steam and I haven't noticed any of the nasty side effects that StarForce had on my old computer. Plus, the track creator is very good.
Haggard @ Jun 9th 2008 3:31PM
Why would they put starforce into this one? To stop people pirating their free software?
GrizzlyAdams @ Jun 9th 2008 5:10PM
@Haggard: Thankfully they were smart this time, last time (the original Trackmania Nations) they left starforce in as a stupid attempt at keeping people using it to crack the pay version.
john @ Jun 9th 2008 11:14AM
unfortunately it's windows only =[ looks awesome though.
Dustin @ Jun 9th 2008 11:16AM
Been playing Trackmania for about a month now, and I really enjoy it. The game is extremely pick-up-and-play friendly; you can easily boot up the game and play a race or two in under 5 minutes! The graphics are also surprising pleasing, especially if you can crank up the anti-aliasing and turn on the motion-blur. The online is somewhat confusing and can be intimidating at first, but even as a single player experience, it's completely worth the FREE download.
thomashenwood @ Jun 9th 2008 11:17AM
The reason why I won't play it is because it has Starforce- completely stupid for a free game. I just don't want that on my computer.
thomashenwood @ Jun 9th 2008 11:20AM
Sorry, I was wrong, it seems that it was another version that had starforce. Go ahead and download it.
TomCo @ Jun 9th 2008 11:29AM
Thanks for you permission. Oh wait, seems I downloaded it weeks ago.
wickedpheonix @ Jun 9th 2008 11:25AM
it's definitely worth the free download, but it gets WAYY too hard to beat the gold medals.
jcd @ Jun 9th 2008 12:22PM
nope, you just suck
chispito @ Jun 9th 2008 12:48PM
Some of them are tough, but there are some that aren't so bad.
wickedpheonix @ Jun 9th 2008 12:53PM
it "gets" too hard - yeah the early ones are easy but when you move up in stages and difficulty... you pretty much have to do the stage perfectly in order to get the medal.
iNNeR_KaoS @ Jun 9th 2008 11:33AM
Okay, lemme get this straight...
They put Starforce in Trackmania Sunrise, which can be removed fairly easily, and you don't like that. That is understandable.
But, you're boycotting them, because they didn't do anything to make up for it. Nothing at all.
Dude, free game. I'd take that as an apology, and it's a great game. I've been playing for over a month now.
Worth the download.
jason @ Jun 9th 2008 11:39AM
wait, so does this one no longer have root-kit starforce on it? can someone clarify that?
GrizzlyAdams @ Jun 9th 2008 11:48AM
As I said above, they stopped using starforce, but many folks such as myself are still pissed about it.
JFink @ Jun 9th 2008 11:50AM
If you're worried about DRM, its on Steam
ApolloIV @ Jun 9th 2008 11:55AM
The game is amazing. IT's free, it's fun, it's addictive. I've spent hours getting some of the gold metals. The online doesn't do it for me though :(
Guy @ Jun 9th 2008 12:19PM
I just discovered this game about 3-4 weeks ago. Been playing it WAY too much. Online is the best part of it. I've logged about 72 hours in it already. Thats more than I've played GTA 4!
HellGuy - 23rd in the US!
PunchyMcJunk @ Jun 9th 2008 12:36PM
It's quality.
Definitely worth the download. Frustratingly difficult at times (some of the stunt tracks require uber-precise controls and throttle), but always fun.
James @ Jun 9th 2008 6:03PM
I lub it.
Benjamin Gilbert @ Jun 9th 2008 8:57PM
Seriously, no dice on Trackmania for the Mac? What gives? And why does Big Download only have a listing for PC? What the f, Joystiq?
Aus_JD @ Jun 10th 2008 12:12AM
That Falcon (interceptor) model looks pretty damn good.
A really fun racing game I'd recomend to anyone.
Covarr @ Jun 10th 2008 4:55PM
Why won't I get it? I have a mid-range laptop from 2005. I simply can't play the thing with a decent framerate.