If there is any game studio out there that understands the importance of putting together a wild racing game, it's probably Rainbow Studios. In a matter of years, this company has really moved up in the ranks, proving themselves with such games as ATV Offroad Fury, Splashdown, and, most recently, THQ's MX Unleashed. In fact, THQ was so impressed with Rainbow that they've made them into an internal studio under their wing, and it looks like the acquirement is paying off. Here we have the latest fruits of their labor, a remix of MX Unleashed with some new extreme parts thrown in for good measure, be it the inclusion of the ATV's and some impressive new tracks that will put your dirt riding skills to good use.

MX Vs. ATV Unleashed features a system very similar to that of last year's game, as you work your way through a number of events from Supercross face-offs to National races against some of the best riders out there. This time around, however, you can take two vehicles to do it. You can either brush up your riding skills on a two-wheeled MX bike, or take to a much different riding ATV vehicle and kick up your heels with it. The mixture of these vehicles helps liven up the game a little bit, even if the gameplay remains about the same for both rides.

What makes MX Vs. ATV Unleashed so original in a time of all these racing knock-offs is its attention to physics and solidified gameplay. The way that these bikes handle is very close to their real-life counterparts, right down to the awkward landings that force your rider to be thrown and the way they handle during a turn or over bumps, where you get better traction if you kick your front wheel (or wheels) up in the air. The gameplay is also focused, with effective work needing to be done with the clutch in order to keep your performance at top level. The "jump" meter is also back, with joystick motions from bottom to top required at the peak of the jump to get maximum air to pull off some major stunts, both with the basic buttons and the stunt modifier. Really, with enough practice, you can pull off some sick combos- but be warned, if you're in the middle of a trick during a collision or headed towards the ground, you'll crash and burn.

And this brings us to the Hill Climb, a new mode in the game that will challenge your expertise on the clutch, but will also make you a better rider as a result. This consists of a number of rounds featuring high hills in which you need to climb. Sometimes you'll make it to the top, depending on your approach, and sometimes you'll find yourself kicking dirt just inches (or maybe feet) from the finish line. It takes a little getting used to, but, trust me, this is one mode that will help you learn the clutch a little better for all parts of the gameplay involved. It's attention like this that makes Rainbow such a treasure.

The fact you can mix MX bikes against ATVs in races adds some more inventive versatility as well, as the races become a bit more unpredictable and really pit beast against beast (or beasts, if you're in a multiplayer match-up). Since Rainbow has handled development of games involving both vehicles, they made a wise choice to include the ability to pit them against one another, as well as throw in other games that let you take control of vehicles from as simple as a golf cart to as thunderous as a monster truck. The diversity really helps carry the game's replay value.

But I cannot understand why the open-ended exploration of the game had to take a powder. Almost everything is chosen from a menu system now, instead of you being able to ride across a wide terrain to your next challenges. This is a bit saddening, because that really allowed you to get a better feel for the game in general. Granted, it doesn't kill the energy that the game provides, but it does kind of take away from it, adding kind of an artificiality. Still, I guess that does put more focus on the races themselves instead of letting someone drift around, so I'll forgive a bit for that.

Graphics-wise, the game shines on nicely. Track designs are beautiful, ranging from some off-road terrain that looks torn straight from a mountainside to indoor stadiums that generate excitement during a race, right down to the waving flags and the mud that kicks up from your tires across a turn. The riders animate just like they should, although they still look kind of rubbery after a crash for some reason. No biggie.

As far as music, there's a wide variety of tunes here, from rock favorites such as Papa Roach's "Getting Away With Murder" and Earshot's "Wait" to more offbeat tracks from the likes of Phunk Junkeez and Black Eyed Peas (no, not "Let's Get Retarded", sadly). But the game again gets a notch against it, as the custom soundtracks option is nowhere to be found. There's a "custom mix" you can select with the jukebox, but no way to really implement your own tunes. Did I miss something here? The sound effects are fine, right down to the tinny roar of your beloved MX ride.

As far as longevity, there's lots to unlock here, including rider gear, new courses, and plenty of vehicles. If you're looking for multiplayer challenges, the game delivers both offline in split-screen, and online via Xbox Live, where you can take on a total of eight riders in a number of races. The online play worked fine, and multiplayer can be fun, but it never really rises above basic racing. Wouldn't some "Capture the Flag" or "Knock Down the Rider" been out of the question? Or how about just running over rodeo clowns? Anyone?

To be honest, MX Vs. ATV Unleashed isn't entirely new, it's just a remix of last year's successful game with new implemented items and bumped up features to really focus on what made the last one so great. Fans of this kind of riding will want to pick up immediately, as it carries on the trend with flying colors, only faulting in a couple of slight areas that may frustrate those who were so dedicated to the first game. Others may want to rent first and see if the new digs are worth the fifty bones...although you probably won't need much convincing. This is, after all, a Rainbow Studios product.

Our Final ScoreGood

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