Pure Enjoyment


                             The game even models wind resistance; shirts ripple more as your speed increases.

With Pure, Baja: Edge of Control, and Motorstorm: Pacific Rift being released within weeks of each other, console owners may be overwhelmed with the deluge of off-road racing titles. Gamers looking for intuitive, arcade-inspired thrills, an accessible stunt system, and a plethora of content will find plenty of enjoyment in Pure. After playing through the game devotedly for a week, we found the title to be one of the top examples of the racing/trick genre since 2000’s SSX for the Playstation 2.

Gameplay is delightfully simple- players use the right trigger to accelerate, while the left trigger applies the brakes. Players perform stunts by pressing a face button along with a direction on the controller at the peak of their jump, accruing boost. Players may either apply the boost to rocket past rivals, or cache it, allowing for a more intricate trick set.  The other additional gameplay faucet is preloading- players move the control stick down to store power, until they reach a hill’s apex. Then they quickly snap the stick up to release a bit of stored kinetic energy, extending the length and duration of the jump.


                                  In multiplayer matches, it seems no one actually sits on their ATV.

Pure features three modes of gameplay: Sprint, Race, and Freestyle. Sprint's emphasis in on speed, and thus contains a minimal amount of places to catch large amounts of air. Race mode balances speed with hilly terrain across three laps with fifteen competitors. Finally, Freestyle is reminiscent of one of Tony Hawk’s multiplayer modes- players have a set time to maximize their trick score. All modes are available online; we found little to no lag in fifteen player races. If fifteen racers can’t be found, competitive AI racers will be substituted.

Graphically, the developers at Black Rock Studios did an amazing job. The framerate is consistently steady, without a hint of screen tearing. The game creates a remarkable sense of speed as the player whips around corners, and across euphoric jumps. The game contains over forty tracks that are from twelve locations around the world, representing glaciers, forests, and desert. The game’s attention to detail is astounding: from the mud that collects on riders and ATVs, to the distinct patterns of flora, Pure amazes on multiple levels.


                                                      The game displays an amazing amount of geometry.

Typically, games this attractive cut corners elsewhere. When we first heard of the game's ability to modify ATVs we were worried- we thought this would be a half-hearted effort that served little purpose beyond a retail box bullet. However, this section of the game is intricately detailed with real world parts, and a myriad of options. Often in racing games, developers stimulate tension by using a ‘rubber-band’ mode; racers following the leader have a higher top speed, thereby penalizing a skillful player. Luckily, Pure forgoes this trapping; while the AI can be difficult, it is nearly always fair.

Finding fault in Pure is difficult. One graphical flourish we weren’t enthusiastic about was the decision to darken the corners of the screen. While we presume this was an attempt to simulate a rider’s goggled perspective, to us it looked like our LCD was in need of repair. Load times were a bit long, but nowhere near the waits shown by Motorstorm.


                                                      Thumbs up? Looks more like a thumbs down for you, daredevil.

Overall, Pure is an example of game that is expertly crafted. It is clear that the game is a result of superior design decisions, adroit programming, and masterful artist talent. Racing fans and those seeking a quick adrenaline rush have a duty to experience this wonderful title.

Final Grade: A

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Posted by DesertEagle at 9/23/2008 9:10 PM
Categories: PS3,360,Reviews
 

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