Descenders

The North West 200, the Isle of Man TT, the Xgames. They all have one thing in common. They have individuals who are mad about motorbikes and crave a rush of adrenaline. This may be through an insane burst of speed, rounding a corner at over 100mph or launching themselves into the fair and back flipping for days. On paper, it all seems like a sure-fire way of ending up six feet under but when you get your hands on the MTB title Descenders, you may just get an insight into why these people crave this danger.

This game plays line other MTB classics such as Trials: Fusion, Motorstorm, MXGP, Ride 4 and Moto GP 20. This game aims to combine the need for speed in most MTB games with the precision and skill required in the Trials titles to give a hybrid MTB experience. However, is this game a triumph, or does it go downhill fast? We find out in our review of Descenders.

Blink and You’ll Miss it

Let’s begin with the core gameplay. As we mentioned, this game aims to combine speed and precision and we are pleased to say, that it does a pretty good job. The gameplay involves players barrelling downhill at breakneck speeds, tasking you with dodging oncoming obstacles, racing against the clock for the best time possible and of course, you’ll have to perform tricks and stunts, because what is a MTB game without flair, style and mad airtime.

What’s most interesting about this game is the fact that every level is procedurally generated. Meaning that levels are made at random with certain criteria determining their difficulty. It’s a phenomenal decision that keeps the game fresh and best of all, it promotes replayability as no one run will be the same as the last.

Tear it Up with a Breath-taking View

Then it would be criminal to not mention the sheer beauty of this title. The player will be invited to plummet downhill through many different biomes. You’ll have the warm palette of the desert; the lofty heights of the highlands and You’ll have the tranquil and serene grassy woodlands to explore. Each offer incredible views and vistas and provide a stunning backdrop for players to take in when riding. Just don’t get to invested in your surroundings or you’ll likely lose control. Concentration is key.

The Verdict

Overall, Descenders offers an experience that manages to offer a more reactionary and high-octane version of what the Trials series has done for years. The gameplay may be simple, but it gives the player everything they could ask for. The visuals are top-notch and the end of level climbs are challenging as all hell. The downside to this game is the fact that when push comes to shove, this is just a Trials copy in a new format. We admit, it’s a very good copy, but a copy nonetheless.

Pros:

• Picturesque and beautiful level design
• Gameplay is simple, yet effective
• Procedural generation adds replay value

Cons:

• This game is essentially a less polished version of the Trials series
• Gameplay becomes repetitive after a few hours