TrackMania United Preview

A psychologist needs to pay a visit to the offices of the Nadeo development team. That is the group that has created Trackmania United, a PC title, which will be published by Ascaron.

Why?

Because some of the tracks created in the Platform portion are simply insane.

Ok, let’s turn to the official press release and get the official list of features …

• Three single-player modes (Race, Platform and Puzzle) and nearly 200 new circuits.

• Seven Trackmania environments and seven vehicle types, each with different gameplay and handling

• The "Stadium" environment has received a total rework with new blocks, new environmental elements and a new lighting system.

• Win "Coppers" by placing well in single-player mode, and then use them as a unit of exchange with players around the world to trade tracks, vehicles and other creations.

• A new evolution in video games; integrating Internet, a browser, peer to peer gaming, a system of exchange and resource sharing, real-time player rankings, group creation and an evolving single player mode.

What does all this mean? Well, the graphics are really well done with a physics engine that will have your vehicle bouncing around at times like a pinball. There are three solo ways to play – race, puzzle and platform. This is very much an arcade experience, but one that is delightful  As you play, you unlock tracks, which are associated with skill levels. The skills are easy, normal, hard and extreme. The difficulty ramps up.

It should be noted that this was a preview build, thus there were a few small glitches when the bottom of the world dropped out into a white void. Hopefully, that will be corrected when the game launches.

The game also, by default, has keyboard controls. While they are serviceable, they are not the best for controlling the cars.

As is the case with many off-road titles, players venturing into the world of Trackmania United will find they need equal parts of acceleration and control. There is a marked difference of knowing when to put the peddle to the metal and when to temper that accelerator to hit the right speed for the jump or corner. And lining up the tires to hit jumps right – to insure a solid landing – is vital. Being off even just a little might mean kissing a wall and losing time.

The graphics are bright and colorful, and the tracks are a wild mix of concrete, grass, dirt and aerial platforms.

The game also has a strong multiplayer element, with players having the ability to compete against each other, exchange video of races, as well as create and exchange courses.

Trackmania United won’t set the offroad world on fire, but the game is definitely entertaining and has plenty of those moments where the eyes get a little wide and the jaw sags a bit when you see some of the imaginative tracks.