MX vs. ATV Reflex
Encyclopedia
MX vs. ATV Reflex is an off-road racing video game developed by Rainbow Studios and published by THQ
. It is the third game in the MX vs. ATV series following Unleashed (2005)
and Untamed (2007)
.
and supercross
on motocross bikes or ATV
s. The game also includes events such as omnicross, free ride, champion sport track, waypoint racing, and freestyle motocross
.
Although the game is part of the MX vs ATV series, Reflex was built from the ground up featuring a new control scheme and physics engine. The new control scheme is labeled "reflex" which utilizes both analog sticks. The left analog controls the handlebars while the right analog stick controls the rider's body movement. The reflex system allows for unprecedented control and manipulation by allowing the player to 'ride' the motorcycle and other vehicle as they actually would. Tricks have been simplified from the previous games as the player only needs to hold the modifier button and use the right stick to make different combinations and flips.
Also new to Reflex is real-time terrain deformation. Terrain deformation allows any of the different vehicles to literally carve into the earth creating ruts, berms, braking bumps and acceleration bumps as they actually do in real life. These ruts, berms and bumps are dynamic and constantly changing throughout the course of the race adding for an extra sense of realism.
Online mode consists of public and private rooms. These rooms are dedicated to specific event types (i.e. supercross) and host up to twelve players at a single time. A player's 'motocard' keeps record of the player's progress through online events which earns them experience points that go towards the player's level. Mini games such as 'snake' and 'tag' are played online as well.
average score is 78% on the Xbox 360, and 77% on the PS3.
Dakota Grabowski at GameZone
gave the title a 8.0/10 for both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 stating, "A wonderful foundation has been set and it’s now time for Rainbow Studios to expand on what they have set up with their next iterations. The future is bright and fans should be rejoicing."
GameSpot
gave it a 7/10 saying "Unfortunately, things don't always work correctly in MX vs. ATV Reflex. Kinks in the physics system can lead to some unpredictable, chaotic rides." They also said, "Reflex is not a particularly good looking game on either system, with blurry, low-res textures that are distracting in the open world tracks."
IT Reviews acknowledged that “MX vs ATV isn't about pelting around with the throttle constantly revving to the max, rather the successful rider gets into the rhythm of the jumps. This is novel, and feels realistic.” However, the reviewer complained about aspects of the single player game, including CPU riders who are “borderline psychopathic”, truck driving that is “far too easily mastered” and a campaign mode which is “rather unimaginative and flat” on an overall level.
THQ
THQ Inc. is an American developer and publisher of video games. Founded in 1989 in the United States, the company develops products for video game consoles, handheld game systems, as well as for personal computers and wireless devices...
. It is the third game in the MX vs. ATV series following Unleashed (2005)
MX vs. ATV Unleashed
MX vs. ATV Unleashed is a racing simulation console video game for Xbox, PlayStation 2 and PC. It was developed by Rainbow Studios and published by THQ. It features same console support for 2 players and online support for 8 players. It was released in 2005.- Soundtrack :*Bullets And Octane -...
and Untamed (2007)
MX vs. ATV: Untamed
MX vs. ATV: Untamed is an offroad racing game developed by Rainbow Studios, Incinerator Studios, Tantalus Media and THQ for the Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360, and Wii systems. It is a part of their MX vs...
.
Gameplay
The core focus of the game allows for the player to race motocrossMotocross
Motocross is a form of motorcycle sport or all-terrain vehicle racing held on enclosed off road circuits. It evolved from trials, and was called scrambles, and later motocross, combining the French moto with cross-country...
and supercross
Supercross
Supercross is a motorcycle racing sport involving off-road motorcycles on an artificially-made dirt tracks consisting of steep jumps and obstacles. Professional supercross contest races are held almost exclusively within professional baseball and football stadiums.-History:Supercross was derived...
on motocross bikes or ATV
All-terrain vehicle
An all-terrain vehicle , also known as a quad, quad bike, three wheeler, or four wheeler, is defined by the American National Standards Institute as a vehicle that travels on low pressure tires, with a seat that is straddled by the operator, along with handlebars for steering control...
s. The game also includes events such as omnicross, free ride, champion sport track, waypoint racing, and freestyle motocross
Freestyle Motocross
Freestyle Motocross is a variation on the sport of motocross in which motorcycle riders attempt to impress judges with jumps and stunts.The two main types of freestyle events are:...
.
Although the game is part of the MX vs ATV series, Reflex was built from the ground up featuring a new control scheme and physics engine. The new control scheme is labeled "reflex" which utilizes both analog sticks. The left analog controls the handlebars while the right analog stick controls the rider's body movement. The reflex system allows for unprecedented control and manipulation by allowing the player to 'ride' the motorcycle and other vehicle as they actually would. Tricks have been simplified from the previous games as the player only needs to hold the modifier button and use the right stick to make different combinations and flips.
Also new to Reflex is real-time terrain deformation. Terrain deformation allows any of the different vehicles to literally carve into the earth creating ruts, berms, braking bumps and acceleration bumps as they actually do in real life. These ruts, berms and bumps are dynamic and constantly changing throughout the course of the race adding for an extra sense of realism.
Online mode consists of public and private rooms. These rooms are dedicated to specific event types (i.e. supercross) and host up to twelve players at a single time. A player's 'motocard' keeps record of the player's progress through online events which earns them experience points that go towards the player's level. Mini games such as 'snake' and 'tag' are played online as well.
Reception
Overall reception of MX vs ATV Reflex has been good. A large portion of praise has gone towards both the new control scheme as well as the terrain deformation. Many have acknowledged the game's successful separation of the rider from the machine with the dual-analog control coined 'rider reflex'. The MetacriticMetacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
average score is 78% on the Xbox 360, and 77% on the PS3.
Dakota Grabowski at GameZone
GameZone
GameZone is an American multiplatform video game website. GameZone's daily coverage includes reviews, previews, news, hints & cheats, and editorials. Additionally, GameZone offers downloads, a child-targeted website and in association with GameStop, hosts GZGameShop, an online retailer...
gave the title a 8.0/10 for both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 stating, "A wonderful foundation has been set and it’s now time for Rainbow Studios to expand on what they have set up with their next iterations. The future is bright and fans should be rejoicing."
GameSpot
GameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
gave it a 7/10 saying "Unfortunately, things don't always work correctly in MX vs. ATV Reflex. Kinks in the physics system can lead to some unpredictable, chaotic rides." They also said, "Reflex is not a particularly good looking game on either system, with blurry, low-res textures that are distracting in the open world tracks."
IT Reviews acknowledged that “MX vs ATV isn't about pelting around with the throttle constantly revving to the max, rather the successful rider gets into the rhythm of the jumps. This is novel, and feels realistic.” However, the reviewer complained about aspects of the single player game, including CPU riders who are “borderline psychopathic”, truck driving that is “far too easily mastered” and a campaign mode which is “rather unimaginative and flat” on an overall level.