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Trackmania Sunrise
"bigger, better and smoother"
 Developer: Nadeo
Publisher: Focus Interactive or Digital Jesters (UK)
Category: : Stunt racing
Platform: PC
Might look like: Trackmania ?
Date posted: 20 June 2005
Written By: Bjorn
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A long time ago
Ever played the original game, "Trackmania" years ago? No, we didn't either but according to various sources, the original game, also developed by the french team Nadeo was a huge success in native France.
In most other countries, the game wasn't even published since a lot of local shops / publishers didn't thought it was any good. Months later they saw that the game had potential since a lot of tournaments were held online, a big online community was born and even today, the original 'Trackmania' is still being played by gamers all over the world!
So developer Nadeo decided to work on a sequel of the original game, with more additions and better ideas. They did have original ideas in the first game but they weren't implemented well.
Now in 2005, the European version of the sequel of Trackmania saw the light and it was called "Trackmania Sunrise".
With more custom tracks, better graphics and a lot more this game has everything to beat the original and any other stunt racing game.
What is Trackmania?
Well the idea behind the whole Trackmania series is that it allows players throughout the world (thanks to its huge online community) organise matches, race in tournaments and make a million of custom tracks to swap.
It's a race game. A fast race game and everybody who played the game Stunt Racer will know what kind of game Trackmania (Sunrise) is. It's just FAST!
Trackmania Sunrise, the sequel to the game Trackmania still have to same basic idea's but some new are added. In the game you'll have to race on insane tracks. These tracks won't pop up in any other racing game because these are stunt tracks with loops, long jumps, half pipes, corkscrews and much more stunt objects. You see, Trackmania Sunrise isn't your usual Burnout, Juiced or even Gran Tourismo game. No it's based on stunts and speed. And besides those 2, you won't be able to damage your own car or any other player's car. Even there is no nitro (like in Burnout 3 or Midnight Club 3) available.
Also any simulation fans ... don't expect that from TM Sunrise. This game ain't about simulation. It's pure fun stuntracing.
Now with Trackmania a few years ago, developer Nadeo knew that they made a few mistakes with the orignial. Graphics were dull, gameplay wasn't well balanced but still the game got a lot of online attention. Even now, you can still find a lot of online communities racing against each other in (custom)tracks.
  
So here you have it with just a few hours of play, I was very excited about TM Sunrise. The game isn't really depth but hey what kind of arcade racing game really is ? Gameplay, speed and graphics, these are the only things that matter really. Especially racing at a blazing speed (yes the game goes very very fast) and performing all kind of stunts, that was all new to me. Most of the time I play pure racing games without the stuntwork evolved so TM Sunrise was a refreshing changement to my excisting game library.
In single player, you still have to earn those valuable 'coppers' which will allow you then to unlock more track parts. The more coppers you earn, the more tracks and car skins you can create. This surely adds a big plus to the replay value of the game.
A lot of improvement
The second game in the Trackmania series improves in a number of ways but the biggest changement is of course its graphics and presentation. Gone are the awful menu's of the first and it seems Nadeo wants to keep up with the competition regarding presentation. Menu's are nicely presented and useful.
Trackmania Sunrise is really a fast racing game that's all about skill and ability. Skill to race the fastest tracktime and ability to stay on the track! It helps a lot if you know the circuits (you'll after racing them for some time) since it's only then that you'll beat the clock and get the fastest time. Only then more tracks/part will be unlocked, so that you can race further and create your own.
Sunrise, in comparision to its predecessor offers more modes to play but also kept a few such as the Puzzle mode, an opportunity to 'train' yourself with its in-built track editor.
A new mode called 'Platform' mode is now available and it simply comes down to, instead of racing against the clock, race a track and complete it with as few mistakes as possible.
Of course these tracks are a lot harder then the normal race tracks found in the game and the reward when you complete one is higher, thanks to the magnificient replays.
However almost every game comes with its flaws and unfortunately Trackmania Sunrise does have it some too. One, the game is extremely difficult. As a more mature racer since I play a decent amount of race (arcade or simulation games) I thought it was easier to beat the 'best time' in Sunrise. Wrong was I because after a few tracks the game became harder and harder, pushing me to the limit of getting those precious medals to unlock more stuff. Of course that might be a good thing as well for the more experienced gamer like myself since it will drive you to play over and over again until you have what you want. But for novice players ... this game will be impossible to beat. And then the fun will be over fast.
Besides that, Sunrise also have a lack of customise your car. There are a few nice add-ons such as stickers, spoilers etc but it isn't really an average tuning game. Perhaps that was on purpose by Nadeo. My guess is that they just didn't want to create another 'tuning' game. And yes that might be one of the keys to succes for Trackmania. It's not what you do with your car, it's how you race with it.
  
Smoother & Shiny graphics
Comparing Trackmania to its sequel Trackmania Sunrise towards it graphics I must say, graphics have been improved radically!
The graphics are much smoother and shiny. Graphical effects such as skylines, water effects, reflective cars etc are all added to its engine and equals now the quality of some of todays PC 'arcade' racing games.
Regarding sound and effects it tends to get a bit repetitive. Some of the effects will haunt you for a whole track and after a while you'll just turn down the volume or supply your own music while racing. It could have been better. The engine car sounds also not very realistic and I have heard much better in other non-stunt racing games.
Conclusion
The new installment in the Trackmania series, "Trackmania Sunrise" is here. After playing it for death, racing for long hours I came to the conclusion that Trackmania has a decent online community and there'll be always new tracks and other addons for you to download. The replay value is high in this game.
Graphics have been upgraded in comparision to the original game and Sunrise can now stand between those other 'arcade' 'fine-tuned' racing gamers. However from now to then, some problems won't go away. Ackward camera modes are common in this game and I really hope that Nadeo fixed this asap with a patch.
For players who liked earlier stunt racing games with speed and the ability to do major insane sunts will enjoy Trackmania Sunrise. It may not be a game for every racing gamer but it is a refreshing idea in racing differently.
-Bjorn
Ratings
Manual:
/ % |
Graphics:
87% |
Music & Sfx:
72% |
GamePlay:
82% |
|
This game scores
on our 5-point Rating System
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