Review: ModNation Racers - PS3

by Steven Williamson on 10 May 2010, 12:40 4.25

Tags: Sony Computers Entertainment Europe (NYSE:SNE), PS3, Racing

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Super Mario Kart beater?

Review
Modnation Racers elevates the Kart racing genre to a place that it’s never been before; and for that it deserves high praise indeed. To get the most out of it though you need to be hooked up online, taking advantage of user created tracks and racing competitively against real people. If you’re not then what you actually get out of the box is a very competent, smooth running and enjoyable Kart Racer that ultimately lacks that magical spark. Will we ever play career mode again? No, quite frankly.

You see ModNation Racers isn't about what you get straight out of the box. It's a tool that allows you to use your imagination and create characters, karts and, ultimately, tracks for the whole PS3 community to share. The career mode, which is ruined somewhat by a rather annoying storyline and equally irritating pair of commentators, merely acts as a suitable, albeit plodding, introduction to multiplayer gameplay and the customisable toolset. There's nothing wrong with the tracks available - they're all well designed with short-cuts, secret areas to find, as well as speed boosts, weapon pods to pick up and various obstacles to avoid, but they just don't have the same impact that the likes of Moo Farm, or Bowser's Castle had on us; the design just isn't as clever.



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