This Week I Have Been Mostly Playing...
Trials Rising on Nintendo Switch
Video game development never ceases to amaze me. You can go from a tiny web browser based game into a huge worldwide release. Trials is one such series that fits this description. Originally started as a Java script game this has come a long way for Red Lynx. It took the gaming world by storm with Trials HD, getting rave reviews and a massive following. The last couple of releases have seen the game lose its way a little. It probably went too wacky needed and to get back to basics. Has it done this?
Well RedLynx seem to have almost nailed it on this one. Trials Rising is the classic platform racing game formula. The original premise being you race along increasingly difficult courses trying to beat a set time without crashing too much, built in an excellent physics engine.. The early easier courses start with simple jumps, teaching you how to land and use jumps to maximise your spend and momentum. Eventually you are bunny hopping across precarious ledges and performing loop the loops to complete levels.
For a non racing game fan it has always been a lot of fun, especially trying to beat your friends times. The general consensus was less of the wackiness and a little bit more of the realism of the older games. Well kind of, still bringing the crazy levels but that's part of the charm.. This then is exactly as ordered, an updated version of some of the original games.
So what’s new? Obviously the graphics look incredible, much more depth and detail. Especially in the background where there are so many more details. Part of the charm is the exotic and crazy locations the game takes you too which the designers seemed to have taken and run with. You are all over the place from Cairo to Hawaii to Siberia. Even on a transport plane! It has a literally world map with country specific levels and hazards. The Switch obviously takes a downgrade but on the main consoles it looks exquisite.
So going back to my original point of almost nailing it. The game is great apart from loot boxes. A pointless though relatively unobtrusive inclusion. As you level up you unlock crates that contain random clothes or bike customisation, all cosmetic. Nothing that helps you beat the game easier. You earn points to buy them in game but can also spend your hard earned real money on it. I've already bought the game, paying extra in this way still riles me.
Anyway, this is probably the most accessible of the games. On top of a much gentler difficulty curve there are numerous training levels to help you learn key skills. Contracts appear on random levels making you go back and say do X amount of back flips. Repeating levels really helps improve your skills though I have found stepping away from the game for a week or two totally ruins what skill you gained. Regular playing and practice is required if you want to get onto the hard levels.
It used to be beating the ghost riders of your friends was one of the funnest aspects. If you don't have people added with those scores there are 3 default AI players to beat in Gold, Silver and Bronze. Great way of spurring you on to get that gold medal on each level. Overall I would totally recommend picking up Trials Rising. I am not the biggest fan of racing around tracks lap after lap but this is not that. The sheer variety and challenge of the levels is what makes it a hell of a ride.
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