Monster Energy Supercross 3
Joining the roundup of annual sports games is Monster Energy Supercross with their third installment. This time around there are a ton of new features which allow you to truly experience the Supercross scene. Well, not really. But it is a great game, and it sounded good, right? By the way, if you’re hoping it will be on your favorite platform, chances are that it will be as it is available on the Xbox One, Playstation 4, Nintendo Switch, PC, and Google Stadia. I had the chance to get hands on with a copy of the game on Stadia.
Never before have you been able to join your favorite official team for 2019 and get down and dirty through the season. Monster Energy Supercross 3 features more than 100 riders, and 15 official stadiums of the Supercross. And to put the cherry on top of an already sweet little sundae, you can ride as male or female to create your ultimate customer character.
Aside from the career, there are many other ways to enjoy what ME Supercross 3 has to offer. The Compound is a place to practice and sharpen your skills. Let me tell you mine were very blunt and needed a lot oh sharpening. There is also Championship and Challenges. The track editor is back as well, giving you the opportunity to race in a multitude of courses, and you can even create a few of your own. And the online multiplayer returns, this time with dedicated servers.
Can’t get enough, or getting tired of the same old tracks (not counting track editor)? Well you’re in luck as there is promise of nine, count them, 9 pieces of DLC to be released at later dates. While we haven’t been given much in the way of details for this, they’re to add to the game in a positive way.
So pull in that clutch; twist that throttle. Because you’re in for a good time with this game. It took me a few minutes (maybe more like 30) to get used to the controls as I admittedly have not played either of the previous 2 entries into the franchise. The Compound was very useful to say the least.
Look, motorcycle games aren’t for everyone. Steering a vehicle more than 2 wheels in games is pretty straight forward. Sometimes sensitivity, or a game that decides they want be “innovative” and switches up the controls can be detrimental; but game developers have done an excellent job with the physics of the vehicles. Motorcycles in games are just wonky. I’ve not really encountered any game that had a really good grasp of representing the feel of a motorcycle (avid motorcycle rider, I am). I think that ME Supercross 3, while not nailing, has come pretty close to having workable controls for a motorcycle than any other game I’ve played involving them. Is it perfect? Gosh, no. But, it also didn’t have me yelling at the screen because you a took a simple 90 degree turn and turned it into a 30 degree crash in the center divide.
The game is not without flaws. The character customization could be better. Give a little more options and freedom with the placement and colors of the jerseys, the bikes, etc. I think we’re at an advanced enough stage right now that we expect more, but this felt like something implemented in the early two thousands.
All-in-all, though I had a blast playing this game once I had a solid grasp on the controls. If you’re an avid Supercross fan, or just want a motorcycle game that is actually fun, make sure you grab a copy of Monster Energy Supercross 3, available on all of the usual suspects, as mentioned above.
3.5 stars out of 5
