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Platform: Playstation 2

Developer: Rainbow Studios

Publisher: SCEA

Genre: Action Racer

ETA: November 2002

ATV Offroad Fury 2

Following on from the well received original comes ATV Offroad Fury 2. Okay, so it’s going to be tougher this time around because the original hit the shelves in the early days of the PS2 when great graphics, and great games, were thin on the ground. By now most PS2 gamers will have matured their opinions on what makes a special case and here Rainbow studios appear to be making a real effort to respond to those attitudes.

They’re making a lot of fuss about nothing in some respects, like the fact that you can choose from more than 20 licensed vehicles from real manufacturers and sponsors and that you have the option to customize your riders clothing. So, nothing to write home about there. There is some meat to this 2nd version’s hype, with the addition of mini-games, including King of the Hill and Soccer, an exciting prospect in it’s own right if truth be told as anyone who’s tried to drive a car into a football and score a goal will tell.

The absolute most interesting fact culled from this press release is the option to play online. Much talk has come from Sony regarding the PS2’s online capabilities but Rainbow Studios seem to be taking it out there, putting their product up for online support. Of course, the proof is in the pudding and you’ll have to wait till November to see if this is mere hype or something their 100% behind.

Aside from all this there are the usual motorcross type options: 40 environments, 20 ATVs, 7 race modes (relay being the most novel idea) and bundles of hidden extras.

No info is available as to how they’ve tweaked this game, what engine it runs on, or any technical spec for that matter, so you’ll just have to wait for reviews proper. Excitement levels are quite low.

- Neil Aldis

(July 19, 2002)