082
REVIEW
INFO
FORMATPS4
ETAOUTNOW
PUBBIGBEN
INTERACTIVE
DEVKYLOTONNTT ISLE OF MAN:
RIDE ON THE EDGE 2
Looked at the bike? Sorry, you’ve fallen off already
A
fter the surprise brilliance of the
original, a sequel was inevitable.
But what could be improved? Well,
the biggest change from the first
game is in the bike handling, which has been
rebuilt from scratch for better feedback and
‘gyroscopic effect’. On full simulation this
is indeed evident (though slightly shy of
Milestone’s best) but, for the layman, on
default settings it’s actually easier to play,
making for a better videogame. So win/win.After you’ve fallen off the back of the bike within
the first two seconds from accelerating too
hard, the difference in playability is immediately
apparent. Jumps don’t automatically equal a fall
like they used to, though they’re still punishing
compared to most games, and you can rattle
along the walls a little more than before, though
leaving the track by even 10cm is still 80%
likely to result in a crash, so don’t think this
has turned into an arcade racer. Players lacking
patience will soon be in tears.
Career mode includes a full season of qualifiers- mostly set on wide roads in Ireland – before
you can take part in the scarily narrow Isle Of
Man TT competition itself in year two. Sponsors
and their targets are mandatory for that first
season, after which you can choose to go it alone,
which is a nice touch, and the helpful voiceover,
clear difficulty indicators, and
ultra-cool menu music all make
you feel welcome.ROAM RASH
However, outside career mode
it’s a very different story. Free
Roam mode feels contradictory
considering you’re limited to
riding on the roads rather than
exploring the inviting tracks
to the side. Challenge mode is
virtually identical; only small
events are present, awarding
perks and upgrades, but the
challenge events feel cheap and
uninspiring, with some abysmal
waypoint marking that doesn’t
even highlight the track route
on the minimap (or the events,
for that matter), making this
great game suddenly feel like a
5/10 racer. Very disappointing.
Graphically, the roads look
better than ever thanks to a
steadier 30fps framerate and
improved lighting, and the
modest draw-in is forgivable
considering the scenic variety
and supreme draw distances.If you’re brave enough to
switch off the recommended
racing line, the scenery makes
for a wonderfully liberating
experience as you zoom
through tree tunnels and down
coastal roads at 190mph. It’s
gorgeous when it hits its stride.
Barring that unconvincing
challenge mode, and the rather
chromatic-sounding low
engine notes on acceleration,
this is a high-quality package
that encapsulates the sport
it’s aiming to simulate. But
the three main environments
soon become overly familiar,
and when the main pull is still
that rush of danger that the
previous game already delivered
so well, it’s hard to say this
sequelis trulyessential.TWO FOR T(T) @CatGoneCrazyVERDICTAs you fall off
repeatedly you can
at least agree it’s
a lovely day for it.The improved handling makes
for a much more playable game
and career mode is satisfying
and slick. It’s a little stretched-
feeling and overly-familiar, but
still a class act. Justin Towell