Name:  - Motocross Madness 2
Microsoft Description:
Wanna Ride? Bang bars and bury your opponents
in the tricked-up sequel to Motocross Madness. More of the wicked dirt bike action
of the original plus smoking new graphics, intense new events, authentic licensed bikes, and
all new stunts. Compete on over 40 tracks in 6 event
types - including the all new Enduro mode where you can race in authentic outdoor motocross
environments. Eye-popping 3D terrains and tracks - Race in and out of over 50,000 3D
objects,ranging from hay bales and scrub brush to lumbering trains and speeding cars. Tracks
co-designed by professional Supercross sensation, Stephanie Rancid.
| Requirements Minimum: |
| · |
Operating System: Windows 95 or later
|
| · |
Computer/Processor: 300 Pentium II or higher or 233 Pentium II or higher with 8MB 3D video acceleration
|
| · |
Memory: 64 MB RAM
|
| · |
Hard Disk: 200 MB of available hard-disk space
|
| · |
Drive: Quad speed or faster CD-ROM drive
|
| · |
Display: DirectX 7 video card
|
| · |
Peripherals: Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing device
|
|
|
| Recommended Specs: |
| · |
DirectSound® 7.0 API-compatible sound card with speakers or headphones
|
| · |
28.8 modem or higher for head-to-head internet play
|
| · |
Joystick/gamepad
|
|
|
10/6/2000 - Microsoft did a great job on the upgrade. With improvements in nearly every area of the game, it is a "must have" for your racing simulation collection. You will enjoy some of the best sound and video found in any game. The only thing I really didn't like in the update was when racing Supercross, the hay bails are laid out all around the track… realistic but very hard to keep from crashing on (I liked how the first version was wide open). But if you don't want to deal with hay bails, just race on the National tracks - they're worth the game price.
|
|
LAZ Review Breakdown
|
87.5
|
| First Impression and Game Installation |
The first game version was great, so it was tough to have to wait to see what Microsoft would do in round two. The instructions were easy to follow. I selected the maximum install option (566 meg compared to the original that was 391 meg). The introduction video is great, which then leads you into their new menu interface - which is excellent. The table was set and my expectations were high… this game delivered! |
9.0
|
| Configurable Options and Ease of Use |
Microsoft did a real nice job on the menu interface in this game, it was a definite improvement over the original MM1. There are plenty of configuration options for each category, and they are all easy to figure out and use. They included advanced joystick options for sensitivity on left and right steering as well as press and release sensitivity for acceleration and braking. The video menu is simple enough for anyone to use. |
9.5
|
| Graphics |
Microsoft made significant improvements on the textures for the background, as well as bike and rider. The graphics simply look great. If you go to Microsoft's game site, check out the screen shots… they are self explanatory. They added new landscapes and areas to play in, as well as heavy equipment, planes, trains, helicopters, cars, electric poles… plenty of stuff to get in your way (but they look pretty cool when you are just playing around). However I am a sim guy, and when you are riding on the tracks (National and Supercross) - the new texturing really brings out the lines and burms that racers must follow. They did an awesome job on elevation changes… you really get the feeling of falling out of the sky! |
9.0
|
| Video at Minimum and Maximum |
The game plays great at low resolution and you can go down to a 320 x 200 screen resolution, but you give up a lot of graphics quality. As you add options and change resolutions it just gets incredible. This game will definitely test your video resources (if you think you have a fast video setup, try this at max texture and resolution). You should play with the video options and tweak them until you get the results you want. |
9.0
|
| Sound |
The sound is awesome! It is so cool to hear the four strokes running around the track. And the two strokes even sound better. When the surround works, the fun factor just goes through the roof (I had intermittent problems where the sound would work fine, then kind of peeter out). The surrounding sound effects are great; the helicopter, land movers, even the electric poles… it all sound incredible! I wish all simulation games could dial in the sound as well as Microsoft did. |
9.5
|
| Beginner thru Advanced Use |
It is kind of hard to put training wheels on a motorcycle, so beginners can't expect to just hop on the bikes and go out and start winning… you have to learn how to ride and learn the tracks. So my beginner scale has to start at the EASY level assuming that the user has played around in the desert and Baja's to find out how to handle the bike. The easy level allows you to win races as you learn the various tracks. As soon as you master level you can advance through the levels. You will have to ride hard to win at the Hard Level (especially on Supercross). If you ever master the levels, try your luck on line against other players. Major applause to Microsoft for their multi-player interface. They give you all of the multi-player connection options (not like some others that forget about home network, or direct connect, or internet, or modem-to-modem). |
8.5
|
| Multi-player |
Well, they simply have it all. A great online multi-player arena, serial cable, modem to modem, and network... I guess that about covers the spectrum. And the startling thing is, that it all works pretty well. The online gaming is sporadically good, depending on all of the variables you get going online through an ISP. The modem-to-modem worked great. |
9.0
|
| Help Instructions |
As you would expect, the game has a nice Windows help file interface and a good technical Readme file. They have plenty of help icons to allow you to launch their all purpose help file from almost anywhere, however they should have had the help file open to an area that relates to the screen you came from. As is usually the case, the game programmers don't interface well with the guys that right the help files… or we would see context sensitive help integrated in the game (not where you have to completely exit the game to a separate window). Enough about that, when you get to the help files - you find a very well designed help area that navigates well and is very informative. |
6.5
|
| Value (price for what you get) |
The price is competitive with the market, and when you consider what you get - it is a good value. |
8.5
|
| Recommend to Others |
Anyone who likes simulations, racing, and motorcycles should definitely add this game to their collection. I regularly recommend this game to friends, but it is usually with the caveat that they will enjoy it more if they have high horsepower machines and video. |
9.0
|
RECOMMENDATIONS to the Vendor
LAZ
-
Integrate your help throughout the game - inside the game.
-
Add a paint feature for painting the bikes and riding apparel.
|
