MUD - FIM Motocross World Championship - PS3

Status:

• Complete in Box
• Play Tested

MUD: FIM Motocross World Championship for the PS3 is an arcade-style motocross racing game developed by Milestone and published by Black Bean Games. Released in 2012, it focuses on delivering an accessible, fast-paced racing experience for fans of the sport. MUD offers a mix of official tracks, professional riders, and various gameplay modes aimed at delivering a solid motocross experience, both for newcomers and racing enthusiasts. Below is a detailed review of MUD on the PS3.

Gameplay

Core Mechanics

MUD: FIM Motocross World Championship offers an arcade-style racing experience, aiming to strike a balance between realism and accessibility. The gameplay focuses on fast, dirt-track racing where players compete in races against AI opponents or other players, with an emphasis on skillful control and jumps.

• Controls and Handling: The controls in MUD are fairly straightforward and easy to pick up, making it accessible for beginners. The game uses a standard setup with the left stick for steering, the right stick for controlling the riders body position (which is crucial for managing jumps and landings), and buttons for acceleration, braking, and boosting.
• Rider Positioning: One of the key elements in MUD is controlling the riders body position. While racing, players can tilt the rider forward or backward to maintain balance, which becomes critical when handling jumps or sharp turns. Mastering this mechanic can make the difference between a smooth landing and a disastrous crash.
• Bike Handling: The bike handling is responsive but not overly complex, focusing on fun rather than strict realism. Theres a good sense of speed, and bikes handle well on the dirt tracks. However, they do feel slightly floaty compared to more simulation-oriented racing games. The dirt physics are decent, and the bikes movement and traction on different terrains is reasonably dynamic.

Race Modes

MUD offers various race types and modes to keep things interesting, with a focus on delivering a comprehensive motocross experience.

• Championships and Career Mode: The main career mode lets players enter a series of motocross events in different categories, competing for points and rewards. As players progress, they can unlock new riders, bikes, and tracks. The career mode is fairly deep, offering a progression system and a series of challenges to keep things engaging. However, the progression can feel a bit repetitive after a while, especially in the early stages.
• Single Races and Time Trials: For players who prefer shorter play sessions, MUD also offers quick race options and time trials. These modes allow players to race on any unlocked track against AI opponents or focus solely on beating their own best times.
• Multiplayer: MUD supports online multiplayer, allowing players to race against each other in various formats. The online modes provide a competitive edge to the experience, although the community for the game has been somewhat limited over time. Split-screen multiplayer is also available, allowing local co-op play, which is great for casual gaming with friends.

Tracks and Environments

MUD features a variety of official tracks and environments, each designed to offer a unique challenge. The game includes several tracks from the FIM Motocross World Championship, and the setting is typicall