MX vs ATV All Out Guide
There is a steep learning curve at first if players are serious about bringing home top-three performances in a series. But bikes and other vehicles are responsive, and the vibration of feedback is a good way to learn on the fly. Tuning, especially on bikes, doesn't always feel natural, though some of this is surely attributed to a complex control scheme. It seems like there was a give-take here, as being able to continue the free ride while the game searched for a match was great, though it didn't seem to give any prompts that it was actually searching for a match. Also of note is the sheer number of map selections. And while we're talking about depth and ease of use, it's refreshing to see how seamlessly the developers tied the game's expansive options list into a menu system right from the pause menu of the open-world complex. Load times can be a pain, though everything being easily accessible softens the blow. All Out does an outstanding job on tutorials for those who take the time to seek them out in free roam at the compound, but actually applying the various controls to different landscapes and vehicles takes time. And that just applies to riding and racing. Pulling off tricks in the proper game mode is a fun time, but likewise, it has what is perhaps a more-complicated-than-necessary feel. There are droves of tricks players will want to master regardless, making for a rewarding experience. The complexity of controls aside, this is a fun offering from a gameplay perspective. The sense of speed is superb, especially when you pop into first-person mode.
The effort is ambitious and wide in scope. Players get to choose from bikes, ATVs, UTVs across various forms of play and locales while going against the biggest names in the sport or online. Customization is a focal point of the experience, and there's even a dip into an open-world concept at a player's compound, making for a dream-scenario blueprint of sorts for hardcore fans and newcomers alike. Players get immediately dropped into an open-world compound upon starting the game and are free to roam. Traversing the map on a bike initially, players can pull off big jumps or stick to a defined course while going over varying terrain. Figuring out the controls and pulling off tricks is a big element of the first ride, though the compound later becomes a place to show off a player's collection. All Out attempts to walk the tightrope between simulation and arcade racer when on the track. There's certainly something for everyone in this regard. Events like supercross and national have more of a simulation feel. Opencross, waypoint and freestyle have more of an arcade feel and offer different experiences that enhance replayability. There is a steep learning curve at first if players are serious about bringing home top-three performances in a series. But bikes and other vehicles are responsive, and the vibration of feedback is a good way to learn on the fly. Tuning, especially on bikes, doesn't always feel natural, though some of this is surely attributed to a complex control scheme. All Out does an outstanding job on tutorials for those who take the time to seek them out in free roam at the compound, but actually applying the various controls to different landscapes and vehicles takes time. And that just applies to riding and racing. Pulling off tricks in the proper game mode is a fun time, but likewise, it has what is perhaps a more-complicated-than-necessary feel. There are droves of tricks players will want to master regardless, making for a rewarding experience. The complexity of controls aside, this is a fun offering from a gameplay perspective. The sense of speed is superb, especially when you pop into first-person mode. For a game with as much going on as this, the physics and quantity of players never seemed to lend itself to major glitches or unrealistic wrecks. And the various vehicle types all feel distinct and require a different approach, which is something fans will appreciate.
All Out didn't set out to be the prettiest game on the market by any means. The goal here was an expansive list of options, customization and replayability. The above shows whenever a player takes to the dirt. All Out doesn't look bad per se, but it doesn't always come with the features one would expect from environments in a next-gen game, either. Similarly, riding through water doesn't do anything at all—no splash or ripples, it's just there. The physics are solid and wrecks are funny in a thank-goodness-this-isn't-real sort of way, but performance issues can hurt the experience. Those issues include screen tearing, pop up and framerate hiccups. While it's a patchable element over the course of the game's life cycle, there is noticeable screen tearing when players make sharp turns. Those looking for it will notice the pop up in the background as trees and other items spring into existence. What's most egregious is the framerate stuttering at times, which is a problem for a game asking players to be precise in their movements. And these issues aren't exclusive to big, open landscapes. Online multiplayer is also present and promises 16-player modes, though, during our time with the game, we couldn't get into a match. It seems like there was a give-take here, as being able to continue the free ride while the game searched for a match was great, though it didn't seem to give any prompts that it was actually searching for a match. Also of note is the sheer number of map selections. And while we're talking about depth and ease of use, it's refreshing to see how seamlessly the developers tied the game's expansive options list into a menu system right from the pause menu of the open-world complex. Load times can be a pain, though everything being easily accessible softens the blow.
Speaking of ruts, the track deformation is something former pro Stephane Roncada has put a lot of effort into. The lines and ruts form and break down just like in real life. You can even get cross-rutted going off a jump if you get too squirrely. The physics have been improved and give the rider a nice flow when riding and throwing some huge whips, flips, and tricks. The game is all about the trick compounds this time around, if you’re into that. UTVs have also been added to the lineup of vehicles to choose from, and you can really huck it over some big dunes or even line up on a supercross track. They don’t have the official supercross tracks from the schedule this year, but they do have a bunch to choose from, plus the option to add qualifying rounds to get into the main events. With so many options to choose from, the customization of rider gear, bike parts, and pieces is like walking into your local dealer. There are over 30 of the top gear companies in the game, including Troy Lee Designs, Thor, Fox Racing, and Fly Racing, to name a few. The graphics really blew me away; from seeing the roost coming off the bikes to being able to zoom in to the threads of the gear, the attention to detail is great. After picking your “kit,” you can head over to the bike customizer, where there are an equal amount of hard parts to choose from and use to set up your bike for motos. Players can build a slyly named B.R.A.A.P., a tool for building a rider and A.I. profile. Rider customization is a big deal as well, with players free to swap out small, appearance-based things like goggles. For those invested in the sports, the tuning and dealership sections can be like walking into a dealer itself. Players are free to tune brakes and more, as well as swap out everything from engines and tires to sprockets, handlebars and seats. All of these ways players can express themselves carry over to the various modes, regardless of whether it's tearing through the mud in an open event or elbowing for room around tight corners in front of screaming fans inside impressively designed stadiums that provide a strong sense of scale. The unlock system doesn't feel too unfair, and—again covering all of its bases—the game even offers a photo mode to show off the depth of customizations.
