MX vs ATV Legends

MX vs ATV Legends is a high-octane racing game that blends intense off-road action with adrenaline-pumping stunts, featuring a mix of motorcycles and ATVs across rugged terrains. Players compete in fast-paced races where precision and skill are key, with a variety of vehicles and customization options to master. The game supports both solo and multiplayer modes, offering thrilling challenges for fans of extreme motorsports.

MX vs ATV Legends: A Flawed but Ambitious Revival of a Niche Franchise

Introduction

MX vs ATV Legends (2022) is the latest installment in the long-running MX vs ATV series, developed by Rainbow Studios and published by THQ Nordic. Released on June 28, 2022, for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, the game aims to revitalize the franchise with modern graphics, refined physics, and an expanded open-world experience. However, its reception has been mixed, with critics praising its ambition and core gameplay while lamenting its technical issues, inconsistent AI, and lack of polish. This review will dissect MX vs ATV Legends in detail, exploring its development history, narrative and thematic elements, gameplay mechanics, world-building, reception, and legacy.

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Development History & Context

The Studio and the Franchise

Rainbow Studios, the developer behind MX vs ATV Legends, has a long history with off-road racing games, dating back to the ATV Offroad Fury series in the early 2000s. The MX vs ATV franchise began in 2005 with MX vs ATV Unleashed, which introduced a mix of motocross and ATV racing. Over the years, the series evolved with titles like MX vs ATV Reflex (2009), which introduced real-time terrain deformation and dual-stick controls, and MX vs ATV All Out (2018), which expanded the scope with more vehicles and open-world elements.

MX vs ATV Legends was announced in September 2021, marking the franchise’s first foray into ninth-generation consoles. The game was built using Unreal Engine 4 (with some sources mistakenly citing Unreal Engine 5), promising improved visuals, physics, and open-world exploration. THQ Nordic, which acquired the MX vs ATV IP in 2014, positioned Legends as a return to form for the series, emphasizing its career mode, multiplayer, and customization options.

The Gaming Landscape at Launch

At the time of its release, MX vs ATV Legends entered a competitive racing market dominated by titles like Dirt 5, Forza Horizon 5, and Monster Energy Supercross 6. While these games offered polished experiences, MX vs ATV Legends carved out a niche with its focus on off-road racing, open-world exploration, and a mix of bikes, ATVs, and UTVs. However, the game faced criticism for its technical shortcomings, which overshadowed its innovations.

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Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Career Mode and Storytelling

MX vs ATV Legends features a career mode that attempts to blend racing with a light narrative. Players take on the role of an up-and-coming off-road racer, guided by a former champion who is trying to save his farm from foreclosure. The story is minimal, serving primarily as a framework for progression, but it adds a layer of motivation to the career mode. As players win races and gain sponsors, they help their mentor rebuild his farm and training grounds, unlocking new areas and opportunities.

The narrative is straightforward and lacks depth, but it provides context for the career mode’s structure. The game’s themes revolve around perseverance, the thrill of competition, and the bond between mentor and protégé. While the story is forgettable, it serves its purpose of driving the player forward through the career’s various disciplines, including motocross, supercross, and endurance racing.

Characters and Dialogue

The characters in MX vs ATV Legends are largely one-dimensional, with the mentor figure being the most developed. Dialogue is sparse and functional, focusing on race objectives and progression rather than character development. The lack of voice acting or emotional depth makes the narrative feel perfunctory, but it doesn’t detract significantly from the core racing experience.

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Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Core Gameplay Loop

MX vs ATV Legends offers a variety of racing disciplines, including motocross, supercross, endurance, and the new Trails mode. The core gameplay loop involves:
1. Racing: Players compete in events across different vehicle types (bikes, ATVs, UTVs), each with distinct handling and physics.
2. Progression: Winning races earns money and sponsorships, which unlock new gear, vehicles, and customization options.
3. Exploration: The game features four open-world environments (forests, deserts, beaches, and a moto farm) that players can explore freely or use for hare scramble races.

Vehicle Handling and Physics

The game’s physics system is a mixed bag. On one hand, the refined physics allow for precise control over jumps, scrubs, and cornering, particularly on bikes. The dual-stick controls, a hallmark of the series, require players to manage both the rider’s body position and the vehicle’s movement, adding depth to the gameplay. However, the physics can feel inconsistent, with vehicles sometimes behaving unpredictably, especially in collisions or rough terrain.

• Bikes: The most technical vehicles, requiring mastery of weight distribution, scrubs, and whips. The learning curve is steep, but rewarding for players who invest the time.
• ATVs: More stable than bikes but still require skill to navigate tight corners and jumps.
• UTVs: The easiest to handle, making them accessible for newcomers but less engaging for veterans.

Trails Mode

The new Trails mode is a standout feature, offering high-intensity outdoor racing with dynamic terrain and checkpoint-based challenges. This mode introduces variety to the career and is praised for its chaotic, fast-paced nature. However, it is not enough to carry the game on its own.

Customization and Progression

Customization is a key aspect of MX vs ATV Legends, allowing players to personalize their rider and vehicles with gear from brands like Alpinestars, Fox, and Troy Lee Designs. However, the customization options are limited at launch, with fewer parts and gear than expected. The career mode’s progression system is lengthy but can feel repetitive, as players grind through similar races to unlock new content.

Multiplayer

The game supports 2-player split-screen and up to 16-player online multiplayer. While the split-screen mode is functional, the online experience is hampered by technical issues, including lag and connectivity problems. The lack of a robust online community further diminishes the multiplayer’s appeal.

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World-Building, Art & Sound

Visual Design and Environments

MX vs ATV Legends features four open-world environments, each with distinct terrain and challenges. The visuals are a step up from previous entries, with detailed textures, dynamic lighting, and weather effects. However, the open worlds feel barren and lack the depth of exploration seen in games like Dirt 5. Textural pop-in and animation issues (e.g., racers moving at low frame rates) detract from the immersion.

The tracks are well-designed, with a mix of supercross arenas, motocross circuits, and endurance courses. The Pro Motocross tracks, available as DLC, are faithfully recreated and add value for fans of the sport.

Sound Design and Music

The sound design is inconsistent, with engine noises and environmental sounds occasionally cutting out or glitching. The licensed soundtrack, featuring artists like Poppy, Meg Myers, and The Smashing Pumpkins, is a highlight, adding energy to the racing experience. However, the sound mixing is uneven, with music sometimes overpowering or abruptly stopping.

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Reception & Legacy

Critical Reception

MX vs ATV Legends received mixed reviews, with a Metacritic score of 55/100 based on 16 critic reviews. Critics praised the game’s ambition, open-world exploration, and Trails mode but criticized its technical issues, inconsistent AI, and lack of polish.

• Positive Aspects:

  • Open-world exploration adds replayability.
  • Trails mode is a fun, chaotic addition.
  • Licensed soundtrack enhances the experience.
  • Career mode offers a lengthy progression system.

• Negative Aspects:

  • Technical issues (bugs, glitches, crashes).
  • Inconsistent AI (too easy or too difficult).
  • Limited customization options.
  • Repetitive career mode structure.

Commercial Performance

The game sold an estimated 192,000 units across all platforms, a modest figure that reflects its niche appeal. While it found an audience among off-road racing fans, its technical shortcomings limited its broader appeal.

Influence and Legacy

MX vs ATV Legends is unlikely to be remembered as a landmark in racing games, but it represents a step forward for the franchise. Its open-world exploration and Trails mode could influence future entries, provided Rainbow Studios addresses the technical issues. The game’s reception highlights the challenges of reviving a niche franchise in a competitive market.

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Conclusion

MX vs ATV Legends is a flawed but ambitious attempt to revitalize the MX vs ATV franchise. Its open-world exploration, Trails mode, and refined physics show promise, but technical issues, inconsistent AI, and a lack of polish hold it back. For die-hard fans of off-road racing, the game offers enough content to justify a purchase, especially on sale. However, for casual players or those seeking a polished racing experience, MX vs ATV Legends falls short of the competition.

Final Verdict: A niche title with potential, marred by technical shortcomings. Worth a look for fans of the genre, but not a must-play for the broader audience.

Score: 6.5/10