This autumn will bring the release of UK based, Black Rock Studio’s new arcade-racing game, Pure. Those fortunate enough to have been invited to a preview have been hugely impressed by what they have seen.
The game developers choose the quad bike as there vehicle for the brilliant, extreme, off-road racing action that sets it apart from others of this genre. Quad bikes handle like cars, giving you stability, whilst allowing gravity defying jumps and outrageous tricks.
The multiplayer racing, will allow up to 16 online players, but if you choose the single player game you will still be in a 16 quad bike race, with worthy AI opponents.
The extreme speed, wild tricks and cliff-top leaps will soon have the sweat running down you back. But despite this seemingly over-the-top action, the game never loses its sense of reality.
Veterans of the genre, might, however, be cynically thinking – yes, all these risky tricks are fine, but if we perform them we will have no chance of winning the race. Don’t worry; the developers of Pure have solved this problem. Multiple paths mean that performing tricks at the right points might enable you to catch up with or overtake opponents. A successful jump, for instance, could cut off part of the course. You can perform breath-taking jumps and tricks, and increase your chance of winning!
Tricks are the heartbeat of the game. There are 3 levels, controlled by buttons, which are tied to 3 trick meters on the screen, 1 for each level. You start at the basic level, and you must fill up these meters by performing tricks, before you can move up to the next level. Again, this meter must be filled before you can attempt top-level tricks. Fill up all the meters, and you get to do the ultimate signature tricks, which are bankable. There’s a catch though, each time you ‘boost’ to steam past an opponent, you drain the trick meter. You have to strike a balance between boosting your speed and saving tricks. Once you’ve banked signature tricks, however, they are safe.
The graphics are superb. The majestic, endless landscape enhances the thrill off-road racing. A clever shifting of camera angles enables you to see your dizzying jump as you are doing it, whilst enjoying the sweep of the landscape. When you really step on the gas, the edges of the screen become blurred, accentuating the sensation of speed.
Some months remain before release, and this time will be used to further refine the graphics. As yet, we do not know how many modes will be available, or the details of locations. We are promised a high quality sound track – we will have to wait and see.
That being said, this game is likely to be the best. Buy Pure as soon as it becomes available!