Trials 2 Second Edition (PC) Review
Posted by Chris Evans on 03.31.2008
Trials are great fun!
Trials 2 Second Edition - PC - Out Now
There is a fine line between success and failure in games where getting a big score or appearing on a leader board are the driving features of the game. Games like Peggle have done fantastically well with this format, The Club however failed to perform as well as it could have.
Fortunately we have a new game to add to the list of successes, that is Red Lynx’s Trials 2 Second Edition. Trials 2 SE is based on the earlier Trials games and probably some even older imitators which I have never heard of or played. Trials 2 SE is the latest edition to the franchise, it is a heavily revised version of Trials 2 offering loads of new features and better chances for gaming fun.
Gameplay
The basic premise of Trials 2 SE is to get from the start of a level to the end. What you must do on your travels depends on what game mode you are playing. The standard levels and Dynamic levels require you to get to the end of the level in the shortest time possible with the least faults (crashes) while Flip and Wheelie levels require, as should be expected, you to perform the most flips or the longest wheelie that you can.
While this may sound pretty limited, it really isn’t as there are currently 40 levels in the game and more should be on the way. The levels are brilliantly crafted and look great. The developers have evidently put in a lot of time and effort to ensure that the different levels provide the player with the best experience possible.
Positioning of check points, jumps and kickers are just right. While it will require some good bike management skills to complete the levels and get a top score, it is really fun to keep plugging away and persevering until you complete the level. Once you finish a level your scores are uploaded to the Trials 2 SE database and you see how you have performed compared to all the players, people in your
country or even people in the team you have joined.
It is this simplicity in comparing your performance to that of people all over the globe, or even just your friends that makes Trials 2 SE a winner. You are able to watch a replay of any players ride on a level to learn from how they did it, when doing this you even get to see what key presses they did to achieve their score. If this isn’t enough for you then you can chose the ghost of any rider and give yourself a race against that.
The statistics have also been handled impressively; players’ statistics can be viewed in game and from the Red Lynx web site. These stats show off the positions achieved on different courses, what their overall ranking is and even their achievements.
Achievements becoming ever more popular in PC games and Trials 2 SE has implemented them brilliantly, rather than many of the simple ‘Complete Level X’ achievements found on Games for Windows Live games these are innovative and challenging. My personal favourite is ‘Every Bone Broken’ which is awarded for smashing your driver to pieces on a single jump.
Playing the game itself is straightforward without any needless complexities. You simply accelerate, brake and shift the drivers’ weight forwards and backwards. The only other key you need to know is the reset key to get back in the action after a fall. Getting back in the action is simply a button click away and keeps the momentum of the game going strong.
Pulling off a sick jump and just overbalancing on the landing is excruciating, but by being able to go right back to the last checkpoint instantly is of great benefit. Trials 2 SE keeps you involved at all times, there is seriously no letting up.
Graphics
The graphics too are brilliant; while it may run a bit sluggish on older computers at higher settings it is worth it to see the game in all its beauty. The fireworks that go off when going through a checkpoint are simple yet effective; they look great and make you feel good for getting to where you did.
The driver animation is very good especially when he ragdolls after a big crash, while sometimes the driver or the bike may get stuck on the scenery, this is often due to screwing up in mega fashion! Though seeing the driver ride to the finish just using the handlebars is amusing as hell!
Sounds
On the sound front Trials 2 SE holds up pretty well too, it has a decent rock like soundtrack in the background, which while a bit boring after heavy playing is decent enough. Hearing the bike revving up and the tires screeching is very fun and they sound damn good. Crashing too is quite fun as you get to hear your bones crunch and crack!
The 411
Trials 2 SE is a great game and is highly recommended, it offers a very fine trial biking experience with a lot of wacky fun and some great community features. Taking your rider and inflicting punishment is great, and the sense of achievement from completing a challenging track is immense. Playing this is a joy.
