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To pull off that NAC NAC back flip, you have to have a bit of the daredevil in you, as well as great timing. To misjudge the air, and distance to the ground will mean a splatter of blood and some serious road rash - or barnyard rash, as the case may be.
The game in Freestyle MetalX, an Xbox release from Midway Sports Asylum that combines arcade scoring with revved-up motorcycle mania, all render to the driving back beat of classic metal rock. This game is not for the timid, or those who lack the compunction to mow down a bystander or two to unlock new tricks. When you are running against time, leave your conscience at the starting line. This is every man or woman for him or herself.
Game features include 16 playable avatars, including top pros like Clifford "The Flyin Hawaiian Adoptonte, Ronnie Faisst, "Mad" Mike Jones, Jeff Tilton, Nate "Destroyer" Adams, Doug Parsons, Jeremy "Twitch" Stenberg, Trevor Vines and Kris Rourke. There are also some rookie riders, some of which seem to have been inhaling too many bike fumes and lack common sense, but will get you started on the path to fame, fortune and better machines.
Some other assets include a level editor in which players can design their own course with obstacles and jumps. Play options include quick play, career mode and party mode. The latter will allow up to nine players, using the same controller, to compete in a jump-off, seeing who can score the most points with the best tricks.
The game itself features several levels, from a barn-yard to indoor ramp-fests. Each area can be unlocked and linked together for seamless action from one venue to the next. As you advance in career mode, you can also unlock events, such as bus jumping and the tunnel of fire.
While this all sounds fun and exciting, the game does seem to lack a rich diversity of gameplay. Though there are several levels, essentially what you do is the same thing, over and over. There are power-ups and you can always challenge to top your previous high score. Is this a bad thing? No. But at its core, this game asks players to perform stunts within a set framework, usually against time, and gain power-ups along the way in terms of health, speed, or point bonuses.
One of the truly great elements of this game is the hard-driving rock soundtrack. Classic metal bands such as Motley Crue, Megadeth, Motorhead and Judas Priest are featured here, and the Xboxs sound capabilities really shine in this regard.
Full Review
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Publisher - Midway
Developer - Midway
Genre - Racing Games
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