Trials Fusion

By: Robert Murphy

Grab your helmets everybody as we set out to perform more stunts, tricks and go through insanely difficult new courses in Trials Fusion. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the game, Trials is a game where players take control of a dirt bike rider and must complete various tracks as fast as you can and with as you few faults as humanly possible. This time around we see a new futuristic world full of quadcopters, AI programs and highly classified locations that you probably shouldn’t be riding a bike through but oh well.

First off I must point out the impressive new look that Trials Fusion has in comparison to the last trials game, the last Trials featured a much more darker contrast and in this new addition we see a much more stylish array of color. It’s almost like when you looked at GTA 4 and the grey and bleak colors and then you play GTA 4: Ballad of Gay Tony and everything is bright and colorful. The futuristic world you’ll be playing through features somewhat of a story mode as you move through the various tracks that increase in difficulty as you go along. Things come across as you being a test subject for some faceless organization and are directed by two AI programs that tell you what to do and give a sense of direction to the game. This is nice because rather than just playing through track after track endlessly you now feel a sense of place as you try your hardest not to fail and win that gold medal at the end of the track.

Now when you take your first look at the game you may think that it is a little cartoony and that means it will give way to ridiculous game physics and an unrealistic play style but this isn’t the case. Both Trials games feature an exceedingly well balanced mechanic for all the bikes players will have to choose from and you must always be cautious about taking that final spin on a flip or you’ll find yourself face planting the track. All the bikes and even your player’s character can be customized as you earn cash along with the medals of each track, bikes can be upgraded with new wheels and body stocks along with a wide array of color selections. As for your character, you can get down right ridiculous with some of the selections the game offers up such as the squirrel and clown masks and much more, all of which feature the same color selection option as your bikes.  

Some great new additions to this Trials include the new ATV vehicle that players can drive as well as the numerous dirt bikes. We also are introduced to a brand new FMX feature which allows players to perform stunts and tricks as they fly through the air of certain stages where before you were only able to front and back flips. This also adds a new skill game type that will come up during the story mode and you must perform the require stunt which can be a challenge if you don’t get the right angle on the analog stick, stupid hero stands are a pain. But this does add a much needed degree of fun when you’re playing with your friends and during the easier first levels which provide massive jumps at times so you can feel free to show off your moves.

Trials Fusion is a hopeless addiction of mine I must admit and by that I mean that it becomes almost impossible for myself to stop playing a track till I hit every obstacle just right and get that gold medal when I cross the finish line and it probably will be the same for you all too. One issue with the game I found was that it felt very short to start off with, the 40 some odd tracks went by really quick but I feel this will be fixed with DLC like the last Trials. The levels you do have though are insanely fun as you jump and rev your way from level to level and press the restart button once you learn how to get over a tricky obstacle and get that perfect run.

Good:

- Campaign now has more of a direction to it

- Great physics and realistic control of your bikes/ATV

- New FMX mode adds even more fun to the madness

Bad:

- Felt a little short even with the later hard levels

Scully Rating: 8.5 out of 10