Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2

Acclaim Entertainment has lead the way with the first PS2 BMX title, "Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2."  This game builds on the principles of the original "Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX" and also the later "Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX Maximum Remix" - both released for Playstation.  It can't be argued that this release presents many new concepts, but there are various apparent flaws, both graphically and in controllability that hinder the game's playability.

Dave Mirra BMX 2 is based around "proquest" mode, where you open up new levels, bikes, and gain new rider attributes by completing various level challenges and competitions.  For each level you first complete the amateur challenges and then the pro challenges, earning the most respect points you can along the way.  These respect points allow you to gain sponsorship for better bikes and more to help you become the best rider in the land.

The other included game modes are session, where you can set new records without going for the challenges.  Free ride allows you to tool around without any worries, just explore and practice.  There are 13 different multiplayer modes, but surprisingly none of them are split-screen - what a joke!  Instead, each player must ride separately in games such as horse, huge combo contest, furthest jump, best run, random spot and more.  The most entertaining multiplayer mode (especially for those new to the game) is definitely wipeout, where you try to gain points by inflicting the most bodily hard to your rider.

The 8 different levels are all immense and resultantly often hard to navigate.  Some sort of map would have been nice because it's very easy to get lost in some of these environments; also making it very hard to find specific objects needed to complete challenges.  They range from downtown areas to deep in the woods and they simply blow any other levels from similar games right out of the water.  Even the infamous Camp Woodward is featured in its entirety and it is quite amazing to see.  You'll be able to ride with 14 of the most popular extreme BMX'ers, including: Dave Mirra, Colin Mackay, Ryan Nyquist, John Englebert, Joey Garcia and more.  Many of these guys will be riding around in the levels at the same you are and they give you hints for the next challenge you have to complete.  It's pretty impressive to see this too, since in most games typically only one rider (you) is out at a time.

If you're not satisfied with the included levels, feel free to create you own using the included park editor.  It allows you to use various themes and to pick from 20 categories of objects.  The instructions for the park editor are very thorough so just about anyone can create the riding environment of their dreams.

Unfortunately, the controls have some major issues, which is one of the major downfalls of the game.  To say the least, they aren't very responsive or accurate.  It seems like you spend half the time just trying to get the rider where you want him to go, often getting spun around and knocked down for unknown reasons.  There are different control configurations to choose from, but the general control awkwardness cannot be escaped.  The trick system has been tweaked and it now allows for more insane tricks to be pulled off - 1,500 different tricks total.  You are able to use trick modifiers to come up with unique air tricks, grinds, stalls, manuals, and wallrides.  Virtually every possible (and some impossible) trick is included in Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2.

Graphically, Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2 is initially quite stunning, but after a closer look there are undoubtedly some major flaws.  The various levels are seemingly endless in size and the environments do look surprisingly good.  All objects are very detailed and rendered very nicely.  The character animations are very lifelike and you'll see the riders' every joint movement (especially when wiping out).  The main flaw is that often frame-rate slowdowns occur.  When many animated objects or just too much stuff in general is in the camera's view, the game lags very badly.  Sometimes you'll even notice the riders going in places that are impossible to get to - through walls, below floors, and other places that you're not ever supposed to see.  This is rather annoying and it is a problem that should have been addressed in this release.

The sound on the other hand is nearly flawless.  A perfect assortment of bands was chosen to accompany high-energy freestyle biking.  Namely: Rage Against the Machine, Sum 41, Sublime, Fenix TX, Tribe Called Quest, The Cult, Methods of Mayhem, Ozzy Osbourne, and Gang Starr - quite the all-star lineup.  The sound effects are equally well done in all respects.  If you run into a plastic garbage can, it will make the noise you would expect it to, which is true for almost everything in the game.  When you wipe out or get hit by a vehicle, the sound the rider's body makes is appropriate and entertaining.

Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2 introduces many great concepts that other developers are sure to borrow from, but the final product is still very rough around the edges.  The sound is perfect, but now they have to work on getting all other aspects of the game up to speed.  Despite the aforementioned problems with the game, it is still very fun to play and it is amazing to see the realistic, full-scale riding environments.  This one is worth checking out; at least rent it if nothing else.

It will be interesting to see how "Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX 2," which is due to be released in early 2002, will stack up to this release.

This game is rated "T" for teen and it takes up 748KB on your PS2 memory card.
 
 

Gameplay: 7
The gameplay is very enticing, but it doesn't completely deliver what is expected due to the awkward controls and the occasionally inaccurate physics.

Graphics: 6.5
The graphics are awesome except for the frequent slowdowns and various clipping glitches.

Sound: 9.5
A very well chosen soundtrack and powerful sound effects.

Difficulty: 8
This game will make you work hard to gain the respect of the other riders.

Concept: 8
Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX 2 definitely presents some innovative concepts: the levels are immese, you can interact with other riders, and it is easy to modify any type of trick.

Multiplayer: 6
Wipeout mode is very fun, as are the other various modes, but no split screen?  Come on now...

Overall: 7.6