all right racers,its time to get creative. editors choice.
The bad:difficulty lacks some challenge.Stripped down creation tools.driving has its flaws.
I was amazed what media molecule did with little big planet.(read the PSP and PS3 review please.)Now united fronts follows the same play create share formula with modnation racers, allowing you to create your own mod(character)kart and track.not to mention 12 player multiplayer. The results?an amazing kart racer that limits you but still lets you use your imagination.
Your tag,(or atleast called tag.)a racer who wants to make a name for him/her (if your mod is a girl)self.As it turns out, your grandpa (or chief)is part of the MRC.Then the charming adventure starts.I have to say that unlike little big planet,modnation racers has a darn good story.And if your the guy who likes humor(like me)there are lots of Laugh Out Loud moments.Though its kinda odd in a few moments, because now these scenes are precanned and i never noticed your shadow or hands or arms or anything.
But asides from career.Theres a multiplayer mode that lets you race with up to 12 players and share your creations.unfortunately if you were a fan of the modspot, it gone in the PSP.Though i have to say that it is kinda hard to get 12 players in an online match, youll have enough people to make things interesting.
Then theres the creation tools.Ill admit.While little big planet had great creation tools, it was pretty deep and abit hard for me to make something advanced on PSP.In modnation i was able to great developer like levels,mods,karts in over or under 15 minutes.thats right, you can be a creating badapple within minutes.For example, i made razors mustang from need for speed most wanted within 3 to 5 minutes...in the PS3 version.The PSP limits you badly.If you wanna make the eyes bigger... well you cant.your mods will feel more premade then a total masterpiece.
Tracks you make in this version is decent.Why?because the ingame levels were made with the PS3 creation tools and yout given a stripped down version.So much that you cant even make shortcuts.Heck they even cut out the tutorials.So i spent 3o minutes trying to figure out how to make a shortcut until i figured out i cant.a life well spent.
But i dont wanna make it seem like creating is pointless. restrictions aside, i had a blast creating my karts,mods,tracks. Because eithier way,youll still be able to make something amazing,just dont expect PS3 perfect creations.
There are some problems with the AI too.it will have you shouting sometimes.but the PSP version is alittle too forgiving.every race will pass you if you atleast make it in 3rd,but the last race wants you to make it in 1st,but other than 3 restarts,i completed it without much problems.Driving isnt quite as good as in the PS3.For one since theres no right analog stick,so sometimes when you do little hops while holding the left analog stick,youll spin and be in a diffirent direction.you still get to slide swipe people but i never even noticed it until i finished career.but the biggest problem is drifting.Im pretty sure most of you read igns review, and yes this was one of the problems they stated.when id drift id end up hitting the wall half of the time.i was concerned when i played the demo,but afterwards i got used to it,but others might not.
Also, while it runs good,mods look alittle more blockyer than smooth,and some items look blurry.there was some instances of Frame drops and in custom levels there was environment tearing.
But trust me.You will enjoy modnation racers.If little big planet had you fussing over its confusing tools (well not to me)modnation should be your home of creating and sharing.so get in your kart and race to game stop.toss the money at the cashier,grab the game,blow a hole in the wall and drive straight to your PSP.Though i reccomend you try it before you buy it if your only in for the creation tools.