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Downhill Domination PS2 Codemasters/SCEA  Mountain
bike champ Eric "E.C." Carter says: "Try and establish a rhythm through
the jump sets by hitting the backsides for a tranny speed boost."
Of course, I have no idea what he means. All I know is that it sounds
rude. I've played a few games centred on cycling and the cycling arts in my time but had yet to find something that would capture my attention. This ended the day I played 'Downhill Domination.' Centred around the notion of going downhill really fast on a bike, the game uses tricks, combat and some very daunting locales to vary the gameplay just enough to keep the player's interest. That's basically it: make it down the hill first, pull off some tricks and whomp other players on the way down. There are three types of tracks to play: Motorcross (short tracks, lots of jumps), Technical Downhill (long tracks, lots of obstacles) and Freeride (a happy compromise between MX and TD). I'm not too familiar with mountain biking but from what I've seen, DD manages to straddle realism and fantasy in a way that makes the game enjoyable for newbies and pros alike. There's a range of careers to undertake: MX, TD, Freeride and Super Career, which mixes all three. There is also the Moshbowl in which the riders cycle around a large pit trying to knock other players off their bikes. The player can choose from a selection of fantasy riders and unlock real riders later in the game by conquering various careers. The levels are graphically remarkable and vary in difficulty to navigate. I think I've only explored one-half of each of the tracks as there are many different routes and short cuts to take down the mountains. The player must also be wary of the wildlife that inhabits the mountains; otherwise you may end up on the bad side of an angry moose or llama. The gameplay is fast. Really fast. This is one of the first games that I've encountered that manages to convey the feeling of speed without it getting in the way of play. The sound is average, with contemporary songs and score being blended to make the soundtrack that one has come to expect from a game like this. There are also a tonne of items to unlock, either by achieving goals or spending money that you've earned, including new bikes, new music or game modes. There is a level of monotony that gets reached after a number of runs, however, and the addition of a two-player mode is a welcome one. In all, 'Downhill Domination' is a welcome addition to the 'extreme' sports game genre and a great way to waste an hour or two.  |
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