Do the Outstanding Graphics in Nail’d for PS3 Make Up for the Inconsistencies?
Get your eye drops ready when you play Nail’d for PS3 because there is no time for blinking. If you want speed, this game delivers! Some people are complaining that the racing is too fast but is there really such a thing as too much speed? While the game is not without it’s share of flaws, gamers that can actually keep up will not have speed on their list of concerns! Really, what could be better than catching air on some wicked trails without having to worry about ending up in the emergency room when you crash?
Storyline
If you’re looking for a game with a storyline, look elsewhere because there isn’t one to speak of. Nail’d takes you around the world where you have the opportunity to prove your riding skills on your ATV. As you progress towards the finales, you’ll even visit Greece and the Andes but the lack of a hyped up pre-race atmosphere and non-existant story may leave you feeling a little void.
Gameplay
As mentioned, the action is fast! Nail’d is full of vertical drops, obstacles around every bend, mountains to ascend and valleys to pick up speed. The problem with these phenomenal race patterns is that the ATV rides more like a luxury sedan than something that should be affected by smashing into a boulder.
The trails are all challenging yet achievable and you’ll rarely need to hit the brake unless you plan on reversing. The biggest complaint with Nail’d for PS3 is the lack of a crash sequence so even the thrills of falling hundreds of feet to a path below can soon be forgotten due to inconsistencies. It’s hard to get white-knuckled in a game when you can’t predict the consequences of your actions. How can you hit a train and keep on going but bump a boulder and become toast? If you’re thinking maybe the boulders are just taboo, think again! You can drive right through these obstacles unharmed sometimes as well.
A plus is that you are encouraged to smash your opponents which is always appreciated for aggression. However, at the high speeds you’re racing, it is often impossible to know if you’ve even done any damage or if they are going to retaliate until the very delayed Terminator appears with a small booster gauge contribution.
There is a multiplayer option and the game supports up to 12 opponents but don’t hold your breath finding too many people online who will team up with you to create a crowded track. For the most part, you will probably play in Tournament mode for a single-player which presents you with stunt challenges and races that you need to complete to make it to the finale.
Graphics
You will have a love/hate relationship with the graphics in Nail’d. The visuals without a doubt are designed for speed. The detail of the caverns, rock formations, lush greenery and snow-capped mountains is more than impressive and all of this will become a realistic blur when you accelerate. However, it almost makes you feel a little removed from the game at faster speeds, like you’re having an outer body experience or a bad dream where your ATV is racing and you’re running behind to catch up.
That being said, when the dirt splatters the camera when you descend from the first cliff, it somewhat makes up for the other areas where the game fall short. The environments are interesting, the water is nearly touchable but these graphics would have been better used on a more consistent platform.
Conclusion
Nail’d can almost be recommended for the soundtrack alone, when you’re listening to bands like Slipknot accenting the rumble of your engine, it’s easy to stay pumped up. Unfortunately, there’s just too much crammed into the gameplay and perhaps if there was a simpler approach, there wouldn’t be so many inconsistencies.
This game will temporarily satisfy your need for an adrenaline rush but don’t be surprised if the frustration has you shutting it off when you crash for no reason yet use up one of your nine lives when it clearly should be game over.
7 / 10