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When the PS3 first hit shelves, many were wondering what kind of game launch the system would have, especially after the strong line-up touted by the 360, and with the Wii offering the much-beloved Twilight Princess. Not many were anticipating a racing title would fill the slot for Sony, but that's exactly what happened. MotorStorm produced amazing visuals, a great sound track, solid controls, and a racing experience that, while not totally unique, certainly gave gamers what they wanted; loads of fun. It also gave PS3 fans a title they could get behind when proving their consoles worth. A sequel was inevitable, and finally, MotorStorm: Pacific Rift is here. And while many fans might have been happy with a new paint job and a few additional tracks, Evolution Studios went the extra mile and polished the experience a little more; providing a fantastic, if not somewhat familiar, ride.
As soon as the opening credits hit, the visual overhaul is apparent. While the original game was no slouch, Pacific Rift seems to pack that extra bit of punch, which is mostly due to the colorful and exotic locations. Jungles, beaches, volcanoes and more eagerly await your latest adventure into the world of MotorStorm. It's a beautiful game, and while the water effects are nice, and the new locations appreciated, it is really inspiring how the developers took notice of the new locals and incorporated a new gameplay mechanic into the mix. After the first ten seconds of the race, players are given access to a boost, which is limited by a meter. Once it fills up, it's only a few moments before your engine explodes from the stress. In the prequel, you had to simply let off the boost and wait for your engine to cool, while Pacific Rift offers another option - cooling your engine. Throughout the environment you will find puddles, streams, and even rivers that you can drive through, each of which plays a role in cooling your engine, therefore giving you faster cool down times, and of course, more chances to increase speed.
Additionally, ATV and Motorcycle users will notice the option to throw a few 'bows at the competition, perhaps a nod toward old school racers like Road Rash. Vehicle selection has also expanded to include Monster Trucks, which are just as unwieldy and sluggish as they sound. However, the sheer satisfaction of crushing an unsuspecting ATV racer as they swat at fellow motorists is poetry in motion. Choosing the appropriate ride for the occasion is much more crucial now too, and much will depend on the track ahead. Different paths suit different rides, which change the way you race dramatically. Choosing a motorcycle means you need to stay away from the big boys, avoid the mud and watery areas, and get as high up as you can. If you play with the Monster Truck, it doesn't matter what you race through, but it might be a good idea to stay away from the crazy jumps. This factor alone gives the game a fair amount of replay value and some much-needed strategy. 
The ticket model of the previous entry has been tossed in favor of an element based system, with earth races, water races, air races, and fire races. Different vehicles favor different elements, as air races have more insane jumps, and water races have much more H2O scattered about. Along the standard career mode, Rift also offers Speed, Elimination, and Crash modes. These are like the other offered races, only now there are additional objectives. In elimination, the last car blows up after each lap. Speed mode demands that you finish in the top three in a certain amount of time. And crash mode, despite what you may think, is about winning the race without crashing a preset number of times.
Summing the game up isn't too difficult - there really is something for everyone here. The game's controls are easy to grasp, and the learning curve is gentle enough for casual players to have a blast, while the hardcore fan can study every nook and cranny and still be surprised by a course later on. The music is loud and entertaining, and certainly as good as the prequels line-up, if not better. The visuals are lush and brilliant, and small touches like water and mud splashing against the screen only draw you in more. The only downside being some of the courses are a bit overly-difficult, and can only be conquered through good 'ol trial and error, but really, every racer has a bit of this involved. Motor Storm: Pacific Rift is a solid racing title that goes a few steps beyond its predecessor, and is arguably a stronger offering because of it. A storm well worth weathering.
