TrackMania Preview

Games are always supposed to fun and entertaining.  Granted some of the games released today are entertaining but lacking the “fun” ingredient.  If you have the same problem with your mix of gaming ingredients, then look no farther than TrackMania.  TrackMania will offer gamers a solid, racing game that is full of entertainment but at the same time bursting with fun.

At Gamezone we’ve had a chance to test a demo version of TrackMania.  The demo is currently available on the developer’s website, with an expected full version release in June.  The demo contains six tracks that can be played along with a limited version of the game’s track editor.  Download away and have a blast.

The basic premise of the game is you're controlling a racecar in some of the craziest and wildest tracks you’ve ever experienced.  If anyone has ever tried out electric slot cars, remote control cars or even the new mini RC cars, TrackMania offers a similar experience.  You’ll experience giant jumps, insane turns, and tracks set in unique locations such as a castle.  You’ve got to keep an eye out on the track, because you never know what could be coming up at the next corner.

There are several different automotive models to choose from in the game, ranging from a small truck, rally car, and regular racecar.  The different automotive models all have their own unique way of handling, with some cars being better suited for a particular track.  In fact the demo doesn’t allow you to select which car to use before each race.  It automatically assigns a car for you.  Some of the controls on the cars still seem very loose.  I had to start several races over and over again because I would take a corner too fast and end up off the track upside down.  Another annoyance with the controls would have you bouncing off of the guardrails and then flipping over with nowhere to go.  Once you flip over, you’ll need to start the race over again. 

But the tracks are really where the fun and entertainment are within the game.  Each track has their own unique layout with no resemblance to any real-world tracks.  One track has you racing outside a castle.  But you don’t just race around the castle; you jump over the moat, cross bridges and other crazy landscapes.  One awesome aspect of the game is the ability to change the tracks to your liking.  If you don’t like a particular jump, then you can go in and edit the jump.  You can change almost everything on the track around to your specifications.  There are hundreds of map pieces that will be available in the final version of the game.

The game has several different modes of play, from a Single player mode to an online multiplayer mode.  The single player mode is a simple and straightforward approach to the game.  It’s a race against the clock with the lowest race times getting the best awards.  The online multiplayer mode will offer either LAN or Internet play.  But the one mode I was very impressed with is the Puzzle mode.  This mode allows you to test your track building skills by having to finish building a track as if it were a puzzle.  You have a limited number of pieces to finish the track with but the possibilities are limitless on how you put the track together.  Once you’ve built the track you can then race the track to see if you can finish the track in the amount time.  If you do, then you’ve solved the puzzle. 

TrackMania is shaping up to be an impressive, entertaining and downright fun game.  The graphics are top notch right now, with only a slight lag now and then.  Having the ability to race on all of the weird and unusual tracks is fun enough.  But being able to edit the tracks to your liking is even more impressive.  If you’re looking for a change of pace when in comes to racing games, then give TrackMania a chance when it comes out later this year.