Review
Trials Evolution: Origin of Pain Review (Xbox360)
I feel like I've neglected Trials Evolution recently. We spent such a happy week together when the game first released. We laughed, we cried, we hit restart. As with many downloadable titles, the attractiveness soon waned. I eventually posted times I couldn't beat and lost all desire to continue playing. Much like the lure of a catchy song, the beat begins to drag once you've mastered all the high notes.
Origin of Pain arrived just on time. The addition of 36 new tracks for the measly cost of 400 MSP (around £3.40), is a decent way of extending the game's longevity. Around 10p per course means you're getting real value for money.
RedLynx has tried to up the ante with a mini-collection of tracks that underline the best parts of Trials Evolution. We've got classic warehouse levels—one of which is turned into a makeshift circus. Scenes of disaster litter the catalogue, as planes try to gun down your position or Hell descends upon the screen. Even the dimension-shifting stages are back. You should forget gravity here; weightlessness and a sense of confusion make such sections a unique experience amongst each trial.
As ever, a couple of quirky races have also been included. One track forces you to follow a course drawn by a permanent marker. A 2D viewpoint is utilised as a giant hand slowly draws out your route. It's not quite as enthralling as the Limbo track, but it's an interesting sidestep from the usual design.
Two minigames make the cut, but these are largely throwaway. Firing your rider towards targets from a cannon is hardly original. It isn't going to keep your attention for long after the 'LOL ragdoll' effect has worn off. The other race alternative is a test of skill. You must ascend as far as possible without crashing in a challenge where meters make all the difference to your rank.
The most interesting addition comes in the form of a BMX. Being able to ride a bicycle changes the game completely. A lack of power means you must rely on balance and shifting of weight with greater verve—you can't balance out mistakes by adding a little throttle. Some tracks have been especially designed for the BMX, indicating the developer might be testing the waters for something new down the line. It's an excellent inclusion, and one that forces you to rethink your technique.
For those who return to Trials Evolution through this DLC, it should be noticeable how quickly the community has expanded. Origin of Pain provides a remind of user-created content in its tab. If you haven't stumbled into the realm of creativity before, this is the time to do it. The game has been manipulated in ways I would never imagine. Just like LittleBigPlanet, it's the users that propel this set of tools towards greatness. RedLynx are on the ball here, subtly reminding players there's plenty of extra challenges to complete if the main game begins to bore.
As the name suggests, Origin of Pain takes no prisoners. The later tracks are more difficult than anything encountered in the original release. Expect controllers to fly, heads to bang, and tears to drop. Series aficionados have a great challenge ahead of them. For the less talented, some courses may be too treacherous to overcome. I wonder if RedLynx ever considered having a way of skipping past sections if you fail a specific number of times. Many players may struggle to see the end of each track without it.
Trials Evolution's first batch of DLC is exactly what the game needs. A decent amount of extra content for 400 MSP will rejuvenate interest in those who have moved on. Upon returning you'll notice a richer, more diverse community to enjoy. Well worth the admission price if you fancy another shot with the downloadable scene's most addictive darlings.
Top Gaming Moment: Riding a BMX changes the game entirely.
Origin of Pain arrived just on time. The addition of 36 new tracks for the measly cost of 400 MSP (around £3.40), is a decent way of extending the game's longevity. Around 10p per course means you're getting real value for money.
 |
RedLynx has tried to up the ante with a mini-collection of tracks that underline the best parts of Trials Evolution. We've got classic warehouse levels—one of which is turned into a makeshift circus. Scenes of disaster litter the catalogue, as planes try to gun down your position or Hell descends upon the screen. Even the dimension-shifting stages are back. You should forget gravity here; weightlessness and a sense of confusion make such sections a unique experience amongst each trial.
As ever, a couple of quirky races have also been included. One track forces you to follow a course drawn by a permanent marker. A 2D viewpoint is utilised as a giant hand slowly draws out your route. It's not quite as enthralling as the Limbo track, but it's an interesting sidestep from the usual design.
Two minigames make the cut, but these are largely throwaway. Firing your rider towards targets from a cannon is hardly original. It isn't going to keep your attention for long after the 'LOL ragdoll' effect has worn off. The other race alternative is a test of skill. You must ascend as far as possible without crashing in a challenge where meters make all the difference to your rank.
The most interesting addition comes in the form of a BMX. Being able to ride a bicycle changes the game completely. A lack of power means you must rely on balance and shifting of weight with greater verve—you can't balance out mistakes by adding a little throttle. Some tracks have been especially designed for the BMX, indicating the developer might be testing the waters for something new down the line. It's an excellent inclusion, and one that forces you to rethink your technique.
For those who return to Trials Evolution through this DLC, it should be noticeable how quickly the community has expanded. Origin of Pain provides a remind of user-created content in its tab. If you haven't stumbled into the realm of creativity before, this is the time to do it. The game has been manipulated in ways I would never imagine. Just like LittleBigPlanet, it's the users that propel this set of tools towards greatness. RedLynx are on the ball here, subtly reminding players there's plenty of extra challenges to complete if the main game begins to bore.
 |
As the name suggests, Origin of Pain takes no prisoners. The later tracks are more difficult than anything encountered in the original release. Expect controllers to fly, heads to bang, and tears to drop. Series aficionados have a great challenge ahead of them. For the less talented, some courses may be too treacherous to overcome. I wonder if RedLynx ever considered having a way of skipping past sections if you fail a specific number of times. Many players may struggle to see the end of each track without it.
Trials Evolution's first batch of DLC is exactly what the game needs. A decent amount of extra content for 400 MSP will rejuvenate interest in those who have moved on. Upon returning you'll notice a richer, more diverse community to enjoy. Well worth the admission price if you fancy another shot with the downloadable scene's most addictive darlings.
Top Gaming Moment: Riding a BMX changes the game entirely.
