..ModNation Racers: Road Trip..

REVIEW |

ModNation Racers is quickly becoming a favorite franchise among PlayStation fans. The latest game in the series, ModNation Racers: Road Trip, debuts as a launch title to the PlayStation Vita and takes many of the great features of the series to the next level.

If you liked the story and cutscenes from the PlayStation 3 version, you might be a little disappointed. There isn't really a story in Road Trip. However, there is a Career Mode with a lot to do. There are about 20 races to complete, as well as extra tasks within each race. Some races want you to collect a certain amount of drift points, ram people, and other duties. By completing these tasks, you are awarded items which you can use to deck out your characters and cars.

The creation options in ModNation Racers: Road Trip have been amped up a bit, to use the many features the Vita has in store. When creating your cars, you can use your fingers to move your aesthetic items around, as well as paint right on the car. The Vita features really shine in the track creator. You can literally create your own track in less than 10 seconds. Drag your finger to draw the track, and slide it over the back touch pad to push the ground up to create mountains and hills. Touch and drop all kinds of buildings and other obstacles into your track with ease. This allows people who aren't very creative or that feel intimidated by these tools, to get in easily and eventually make some awesome content.

ModNation Racers: Road Trip, like previous titles, lets you upload and download other people's creations, tracks, and cars right off the PlayStation Network. This gives options for players to showcase their own work and download new and interesting content.

Unlike the PlayStation 3 version, ModNation Racers: Road Trip doesn't have an online multiplayer component. Many people were very upset when this was announced, because it only seemed like a no brainer in this day and age. Nevertheless, there are some multiplayer features: you can download your friends' racing ghosts and try to beat their times or play together via ad-hoc (local connection); that's about it. The lack of multiplayer doesn't take away from the gameplay, but it does hinder its longevity.

ModNation Racers: Road Trip's soundtrack is a little weird at some times. It's not exactly bad, but I don't think you'll be bumping it in your car anytime soon. Luckily, you can play your own music instead. The graphics don't seem to be up to par with the PlayStation 3 version either, but they still look good. SCE San Diego studios did a great job of transferring the art style to a portable console.

Overall, ModNation Racers: Road Trip is an awesome Kart game for Vita. If you are even curious about picking it up, I definitely recommend it. You'll have a fun time, unless the fact that it has no online multiplayer bogs you down.

GameDynamo's Score for ModNation Racers: Road Trip (PS Vita)

Joshua Mobley   Followpacpunk

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