MX vs. ATV Untamed Review
MX vs. ATV Untamed has been released on every current videogame system, and not surprisingly the DS version delivers fewer modes and less gameplay than its cousins on other consoles. However, that doesn't necessarily mean that the DS version of the game isn't fun to play or worth picking up for portable offroad racing. If it did, then you wouldn't need to read game reviews, right? So let's get to it and take a look at MX vs. ATV Untamed on the DS.
As you can no doubt gather from the name, MX vs. ATV Untamed features dirt bike and ATV racing. In addition to the racing, the other game mode in Untamed is a stunt challenge in which chaining stunts off of jumps is the goal instead of being the first to cross the finish line. You can choose to compete as one of the game's eight pro drivers, four MX and four ATV, but the game doesn't support creating custom drivers or vehicles. In fact, the whole vehicle upgrade and customization system found in other versions of Untamed is absent here. There are ten tracks available in the game, all of them of the indoor stadium variety.
The racing controls are pretty simple; just gas and brake buttons to worry about here. You can also preload on jumps for more air, and then use a combination of the two stunt buttons and d-pad presses to initiate the available stunts in the game. All of these controls are easy to use and the stunt system is far easier to figure out and master than your typical button combo sequences.
In spite of the simple controls and the fact that you race against only three other competitors, races are more challenging than you would think. If your racing technique consists of simply holding down the gas button for the entire race then you're going to have trouble winning races. The AI races well, and things generally stay tight throughout each race.
It's a good thing that the challenge is there, because without it Untamed would have trouble holding on to your interest for very long. There's nothing to the game beyond racing against three other drivers or trying to top your best stunt score. Wi-Fi support is completely missing from the game, so unless you have three friends with their own copy of the game you won't even be able to try out the racing in multiplayer mode.
The racing is enjoyable enough to keep you coming back on occasion if you treat Untamed as a portable racing option and play it in short bursts while you're on the road. The overall experience is too thin to keep you interested if you intend to get a lot of play out of it or to play it for extended periods of time. It's perfect to keep you occupied on a flight from LA to San Francisco, but you'll find yourself reaching for the in-flight magazine if you're flying from LA to Denver.
In The End, This Game Hath Been Rated:
68%. Even though the racing can be enjoyable, MX vs. ATV Untamed suffers from a decided lack of variety.
