What would you do in a post-apocalyptic world? Make race tracks out of the remaining debris of course.

You can see how Evolution Studios came to the conclusion that is MotorStorm: Apocalypse. With the original they had the magnificent setting of the Grand Canyon. Pacific Rift saw the game taken to the jungle, rocky mountains and lava lakes. Artic edge, like the name suggests, saw you race around tracks etched into the ice and snow.  With Evolution Studios you know they have to do something more insane than the last game and with MS: A the have taken destructive race tracks to a whole new level. Not only do you race around places like ruined cities, docks and beach fronts, the actual buildings collapse and tracks fall apart while you’re lapping them. You will be constantly on the edge of your seat.

If you’ve played other MotorStorm games then the controls will feel right at home. R2 and L2 are accelerate and brake like most modern racing games, X is boost which you have an unlimited amount of but over use it and you’ll explode. The left and right attacks are now situated on the square and O buttons but you can revert to old style of attacks being on L1 and R1. Each vehicle also handles like on the other MotorStorms. Bikes have good handling but can’t handle puddles and are prone to attacks. Big Rigs have a turning circle of a whale on a skateboard but plough through opponents and any standing water.

The graphics and effects are out-standing. One level in particular is the beach front where the rain looks stunning with a viscous tornado is in the background throwing things through the air and scattering them around the track. Levels have a fair amount of particle effects that look truly nice. Sparks fly from crashing objects and electric wires and boxes. Explosions and fires produce good looking smoke and flames. Some explosions will send rubble scattered across the track. You can get fully immersed into these wonderfully created tracks.

There isn’t much of a story in single player, the games mostly concentrates on making the racing fun. As you progress through the game you play as 3 different characters with the last seeing you race as the ultimate MotorStormer, Big Dog. The final conclusion to the game will make you wonder why they didn’t incorporate a proper story into it. It’s a real shame! (Edit: The digital download version contains no cutscenes while the disked version does)

In single player no two races are ever the same. One race you’ll be avoiding collapsing sky scrapers the next you be driving along a bridge while it collapses around you. The beauty is that the tracks deform and alter as you race so most laps are different and get progressively harder. If collapsing buildings wasn’t enough, you have rebels out on the street trying to take you out with Molotov cocktails and later levels they will try and take you out with machine guns, helicopters and RPG’s. As with all MotorStorm games, each track as multiple routes and each route will suit certain types of vehicles more than others. Evolution has created one truly chaotic and hectic world.

Once you completed the single player you can test you skills against other people in multiplayer. Surprisingly the multiplayer has a bit of depth. You can customise every part of the vehicle from the brake callipers and wheels to the paint work.  You have a varied amount of drivers to choose from even though they are not customisable. Also following the trend of most multiplayers, you have perks to choose from and unlock. You have 3 areas to perk up – handling, boost, combat- with 7 perks to unlock and choose from for each area. These perks can range from increased grip to a decreased amount of time it takes for your boost to cool down.

MotorStorm: Apocalypse is one of the most overlooked games this gen.  It’s a brutal arcade racer that’ll give you one the most exhilarating race experiences you ever had.

9/10