by Wyatt "JOEDOG" Elliott
Not since the not so popular Rush Down has mountain bike racing been the subject of a Playstation game. Codemasters has taken advantage of this fact with a game that blows its only competition off the mountain. No Fear Downhill Mountain Bike Racing is a quality and refreshing race title.
No Fear features great graphics. The best character animations seen in a long time. These bikes and bike riders are full of detail. Realistic body movements and physics only improve this games potential for greatness.
We've established the character animations look good, but how about the courses? Besides the excessive pop-up and card board like on lookers, these trails are awesome and have a certain realism to them. No Fear gives us realistic controls as well. Both front and back breaks. Dual Analog controller allows smooth turns and quick reaction. Perform tricks, wheelies, back breaking wipe outs will have you cringing.
There is no in game music, but you'll never miss it. To provide the ultimate in realism, No Fear's characters will loose stamina if pushed too hard. You will hear your character weez and his or her energy meter will enter the red zone. Codemasters has created a very realistic game. All the rules that apply to real life mountain biking apply here.
With all the Supercross dirt bike games out there flooding the market, this little mountain bike game out performs all of them. If you have ever been mountain biking, this game will have you feeling all the agony and exhilaration of the sport.
PUBLISHER: CODEMASTERS
GRAPHICS: 8 SOUND & MUSIC: 7 CONTROL: 8
SECRETS: 8 ORIGINALITY: 6 FUN & REPLAY: 9
OVERALL: 7.5
