Overview

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Review

Release Date: 06.26.2003
Platform: PlayStation 2
Developer: Deibus Studios
Publisher: Midway Sports Asylum

Reviewed by Wade Monnig on 7.31.2003

Review Rating: 8/10

Lemmy of Motorhead once said “Metal Ain’t Pretty.” Well, Freestyle Metal X ain’t pretty either. No, I’m not talking about the graphics; I’m talking about the Xbox, Playstation 2 and GameCube cover art. I haven’t seen art this twisted since my last trip into my closet to check out my Megadeth and Motorhead Concert T-shirt collection. Midway has had no problem putting the Metal into the testosterone driven Freestyle Metal X. Laced with the most intense Speed Metal to ever grace this planet, Freestyle Metal X sweats pure octane and mainlines adrenaline. Fueled by Megadeth, Twisted Sister and Motorhead (with the requisite Motley Crue motorcycle anthem, Kickstart My Heart), the soundtrack of FMX will rip off the head off and s*** down the neck of any clueless punk-ass reviewer who would dare to call it Butt Rock.

While the soundtrack may put the Psycho in this freestyle motorcycle title, the X-factor is an in-depth trick gameplay/trick system. The game style is introduced via tutorials that are presented by Cindy, the reason you’re out there risking your neck. (Life Note: If some male is out there doing death-defying antics, you can be pretty sure they are trying to impress a female.) You’ll find the traditional gas/brake/powerslide set-up that gamers are undoubtedly familiar with while unabashedly adding latter day “extreme” innovations like jump pre-loading and clutch manipulation. FMX’s heads-up display gives players visual representations to help with the proper use of preloading and clutching. However, as with any good game, they are really a matter of timing. After a few hours of game time, it quickly becomes second nature. An extra wrench is thrown into the gameplay system with the fact that improperly overusing these additions causes damage to your bike, with the repair cost coming directly out of your wallet. The money you earn from each level is also used for those pesky hospital bills. Obviously comprehensive major medical for motorpychos isn’t on the Bush administration to-do list. What money you aren’t spending on replacing tires and buying videotape for your submissions to Real TV can be used for upgrading your Engine, Brakes, Tires and Suspension. You can also earn new bikes by completing various challenges.

One of the main reasons you should start with the tutorial and work your way up is the method the Stunt System is set-up. Unlike most systems that use the input-execute-input layout, FMX lets you input tricks and modifiers before the previous trick has finished executing. This not only leads to some serious button inputs but also requires a different set of timing than one who has played other “extreme” titles would expect. Once you do get the hang of the input timing, you’ll also want to exploit the Wheelies/Stoppies system that allows you to “manually” sustain trick combos between ramps. With this in mind, it won’t come as much of a surprise that you can grind rails and that you have a tritely named “Radometer” that you can fill in order to do those elusive megatricks.

Just when you begin to think that maybe FMX is more about genre refinement than innovation, it brings in some fresh exhaust. FMX consists of 8 themed areas. However, instead of the traditional hub set-up, once you unlock a new area it is virtually connected to the existing stages by bridges or tunnels. Now, moving from area to area is not only painless but without a loading screen. Securing access to Cross Country Mode allows you to transverse the entire game with a single instance of visible loading. Of course, this layout necessitates that each level completion checklist be broken up into single challenges. FMX lets its Machismo show once again by having each test introduced by an “Infochick.” These femmes give you a short explanation of what they required to complete each task and, once you accomplish it, they’re out of there like a hole shot (horribly sexist pun intended).

In addition to the base Challenge mode, you’ll also find modes such as Big Air, Freestyle, Freeride and Race. Big Air and Freestyle give you three runs to score as many points as possible with the lowest of the three scores being dropped. The difference between the two being that Big Air is a single jump while Freestyle is timed, open area event. The Race Mode combines everything you have learned into a point-to-point race where tricks help to keep you alive and in the lead. My favorite of the different Modes is actually not “really” a Mode but an area where you spend your “Event Tickets.” Ever wanted to play Evil Knievel and jump a fiery bus or race through a 360-degree loop? This is where you can. It probably says something about myself when the most fun I have is leaping busses or tearing up the tires on my bike by doing brake torques/burnouts.

If these Modes aren’t enough to keep you busy, you’ll also find a level editor that allows you to throw together your own levels (whoo hooo, more flaming hoops to jump through!). While not incredibly in-depth, it is certainly easy to use. It also gives you an excuse to invite friends over to not only try out the new course you designed to try out the Party Mode. If you think the watching the cringe-inducing wrecks of Real TV is fun, Freestyle Metal X lets you risk life and limb in some insane mini-games where the only thing you really have to worry about is getting a blister on your thumb (that’s the way to do it).

Freestyle Metal X is like a summer blockbuster movie, what is lacks in originality it makes up for in refinement and sheer fun. Like the soundtrack it boasts, it’s loud, fast and hard…okay, really it’s loud, fast and moderately challenging but never let it be said I let the facts get in the way of a well-turned phrase. It’s Freestyle Metal X up your ass…now let’s hope Lars doesn’t notice that logo.

Box art