Mad Riders is a racing video game for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, and Mac OS X. It was developed by Techland and published by Ubisoft.[3] Mad Riders was released in 2012.[4][5][6] The game received mixed reviews upon its release, with critics praising the game's visuals but taking issue with its physics and controls.
| Mad Riders | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Techland |
| Publisher(s) | Ubisoft |
| Engine | Chrome Engine 4[2] |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release | May 30, 2012[1] |
| Genre(s) | Off-road racing |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Gameplay
editMad Riders is off-road racing video game. Players control an all terrain vehicle (ATV) and race other ATVs around a series of tracks. Players can collect coins placed along the tracks in order to activate a short boost in speed and blue tokens that allow players to temporarily access shortcuts. After launching off of ramps, players can perform tricks, which also give players the ability to activate a short boost in speed. Obstacles are placed both on the ground and in the air, and players have the ability to steer their ATV while airborne.[2][3][7]
The game features 45 tracks that can be played over five different race modes, including a time trial mode and a mode where players try to score as many points as possible by performing stunts. Races can be done either individually or as part of longer tournaments. Players are given experience points for both completing races and for performing stunts, which is used to unlock new vehicles and color schemes. The game also has a multiplayer option with races containing up to twelve players. Players can join multiplayer races that are about to begin directly from single player races that they are currently in.[2][8]
Reception
edit| Aggregator | Score | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PC | PS3 | Xbox 360 | |
| Metacritic | 64/100[6] | 71/100[4] | 64/100[5] |
| Publication | Score | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PC | PS3 | Xbox 360 | |
| Destructoid | N/A | N/A | 7/10[9] |
| Edge | N/A | N/A | 5/10[10] |
| Electronic Gaming Monthly | N/A | N/A | 5/10[11] |
| Game Informer | N/A | 7.75/10[8] | 7.75/10[8] |
| GamesMaster | N/A | N/A | 51%[12] |
| GameSpot | N/A | N/A | 5.5/10[13] |
| Hyper | N/A | N/A | 6/10[14] |
| PlayStation Official Magazine – UK | N/A | 8/10[7] | N/A |
| Official Xbox Magazine (US) | N/A | N/A | 5/10[3] |
| PC Gamer (UK) | 67%[15] | N/A | N/A |
| The Digital Fix | N/A | 6/10[16] | N/A |
Mad Riders received "mixed or average reviews" on all platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[4][5][6] Critics drew comparisons between Mad Riders and Techland's previous off-road racing game, Nail'd, with some reviews praising Mad Riders as an improvement over Nail'd. PlayStation Official Magazine – UK said that the game was reminiscent of 2010 game Nail'd, but "far superior",[7] while Official Xbox Magazine UK called the game "structured far more intelligently" than its predecessor.[17] Mad Riders's visuals were largely praised. Sean Evans, writing for GameSpot, praised the game's cel shading as working well with the game's terrain and bringing an "appealing look that adds some much-needed personality".[13] McKinley Noble of EGMNow, however, pointed out that while the courses are "beautiful-looking", boosting "obscures your vision and makes it harder to point out landmarks".[11]
Critics were much less positive about the game's gameplay itself, taking issue with the physics engine and controls. Official Xbox Magazine commented that the handling "feels more like socks on a waxed floor than wheels on dirt",[3] while OXM UK and EGMNow both called it "floaty".[11][17] Critics also took issue with the game's propensity to respawn players (move players back to an earlier point on the map) if they veered even slightly off of the course.[2][3][11] The critics also criticized the game for a lack of originality.[7][8][13]
References
edit- ^ Lien, Tracey (May 21, 2012). "'Dead Island' developer goes into racing mode with 'Mad Riders'". Polygon. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Dumlao, Brian (12 July 2012). "XBLA Review - 'Mad Riders'". Worthplaying. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
- ^ a b c d e Lewis, Cameron (30 May 2012). "Mad Riders review". Official Xbox Magazine. Future US. Archived from the original on 1 June 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
- ^ a b c "Mad Riders Critic Reviews for PlayStation 3". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
- ^ a b c "Mad Rider Critic Reviews for Xbox 360". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
- ^ a b c "Mad Riders for PC Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 14 January 2013.
- ^ a b c d Gregory, Joel (29 May 2012). "Mad Riders PSN review: cheap downloadable racer wins us over". PlayStation Official Magazine – UK. Future plc. Archived from the original on 29 August 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
- ^ a b c d Kato, Matthew (31 May 2012). "Mad Riders (PS3, X360): A Well-Constructed Combination of Thrills and Speed". Game Informer. Archived from the original on August 28, 2012. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
- ^ Pinsof, Allistair (30 May 2012). "Review: Mad Riders (X360)". Destructoid. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
- ^ Edge staff (12 June 2012). "Mad Riders review (X360)". Edge.
- ^ a b c d Noble, McKinley (29 May 2012). "EGM Review: Mad Riders (X360)". EGMNow. EGM Media, LLC. Archived from the original on 4 June 2012. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
- ^ "Mad Riders (X360)". GamesMaster: 101. September 2012.
- ^ a b c Evans, Sean (31 May 2012). "Mad Riders Review (X360)". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
- ^ "Mad Riders (X360)". Hyper: 62. October 2012.
- ^ "Mad Riders". PC Gamer UK. Future plc: 77. September 2012.
- ^ Marshall, James (4 June 2012). "Mad Riders (PS3)". The Digital Fix. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
- ^ a b Channell, Mike (29 May 2012). "Review: Mad Riders". Official Xbox Magazine UK. Future plc. Archived from the original on 1 June 2012. Retrieved 15 February 2017.