Concept: Despite adding some new features, Alive is surprisingly gimped Graphics: Riders will stutter and objects will draw into the environment as you go (along with other hiccups), but it's not that bad Sound: I don't know what was more useful, being able to turn down the bike noise or the music...

The newest MX vs. ATV was designed as a grand experiment - to see whether gamers will buy a cheaper, slimmer racing experience, and then expand it as desired through paid downloadable content.

+ Improved handling makes for a better off-road racer

- No career mode; plus past series events and vehicles are all M.I.A; - Little distinct content; and you have to grind to unlock what's here; ?

Less than two years since Reflex, the MX vs ATV franchise returns to the video game stratosphere with Alive. Despite being a very popular series, there's still a lot of people who haven't played a single entry since the franchise's re-introduction during the current console cycle.

These games keep surviving, despite never really amassing much acclaim, even after merging the two world of motocross and ATV quad-bike racing, which at least saved fans of both a bit of money.

Track design is excellent for technical racing; Well-designed jumping; Online racing is a smooth experience

ATV handling is poor; Not enough tracks; Awful tricks mode

Motocross racing games are very unique in the sense that not everyone can really appreciate what goes into to racing the two-wheeled beasts, or four wheeled ATV's, virtually or in real life. When MX vs.

Motocross racing gets physical in MX vs. ATV Alive; colliding with opponents is now a legitimate tactic rather than a cause of frustration and the action is significantly more exciting as a result. It's not all good news in this scant sequel to MX vs.

Aggressively competitive and occasionally unpredictable racing; Great; varied track designs; Loads of rider and vehicle customization options

No career mode; Vast majority of tracks are unavailable until you're several hours in; Only two gameplay modes

I have always been a huge fan of Rainbow Studios and their stable of racing titles, even dating back to their Motorcross Madness days on PC. The MX vs. ATV series has slowly transitioned from...

+ Fantastic controls; + Online is a blast; + Nice track selection

Lack of race types; No career mode structure; Steep learning curve; No tutorial

THQ offers up their next title in the MX Vs ATV franchise. THQ has taken a brave step with MX Vs ATV Alive. It is one step that may define how games are sold in the future and one that ultimately defines this review.

MX vs. ATV Alive provides a fun experience, for what there is, but the gamble to keep the content off the disc makes for a shallow racing game that requires you to grind through the same events time and time again just to get access to new areas.

In conclusion, MX vs. ATV Alive is definitely a worthy successor to Reflex. The added level of aggression definitely makes races exciting, online multiplayer works very well and there is enough of an incentive to level up due to having to unlock new tracks.