I enjoyed the first TrackMania game tremendously. It wasn’t a revolutionary racing game but it was a fun, entertaining game. The emphasis in the game was on the tracks, which were probably the wackiest and most unique tracks I’ve played. TrackMania Sunrise (TMS) continues the wackiness from the first game but with a noticeable change in the look of game. Even though the graphics have changed the gameplay is still the same.  

I have been torn up in trying to figure out how to express my real opinion with TMS. The game is almost identical to first game in almost every aspect. In fact I should point you to my review of the first game since the games are similar, http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r23064.htm. The same arcade-style racing gameplay is included along with the track editor option and puzzle mode. The big difference between TMS and the original game is the graphics. In probably as an appeal to hopefully obtaining a larger audience with the sequel, the look of the game is more industrial and modern.

The car models are the first big change in the graphics between the first game and TMS. You start off the game with modern looking European-styled sports car, similar to a Lamborghini or Ferrari. In fact if you looked at still shots of the game it will probably remind some of you of Gran Turisimo or other modern racing games. The other big change in the graphics is the backgrounds, a large portion of the tracks are set in a city backdrop. Some of the tracks are set in a night-time environment, which creates some nice looking shadows on the tracks from the cars and buildings. As you progress farther in the game some of the familiar-looking cars and backgrounds from the first game do return but with some tweaks. That doesn’t mean that all of the tracks and cars from the first game are included, because that’s not the case. The looks are similar but with some changes in the graphics.

The gameplay is essentially unchanged from the first game which is a curse and a blessing. If you want a racing simulation game then steer clear of TMS. This is an arcade-racing game pure and simple. You drive around the track as fast as possible and take no damage from the other cars on the track. When you come near another car you just drive through them instead of playing the bumper car game so common in other racing games. The tracks will cause you to stop, slow down or even drive off the track but will never cause permanent damage to your car. If you drive into a light post your car will simply just stop from the impact. Even when you stop due to a wreck you’re never really out of the race because of the way the game was designed. 

The Race Challenge mode has you competing against the clock and not against the computer. You can earn up to three different awards based on the time you finish a race; Gold, Silver or Bronze. You can race each track one at a time or compete in the series cup to unlock other levels. The level of difficulty ramps up tremendously from the Silver to the Gold level in the Race Challenge mode. Expect to have a near perfect race in order to earn a Gold medal on all of the tracks. Having to race the same tracks over and over again in order to get a Gold award gets old fast.

Thankfully the entire game is based around the Race Challenge mode. One of the other modes available is the Platform Challenge mode where completing the race with the least amount of continues is the goal. Be prepared to continue several times in the Race Challenge mode because this mode is where the tracks really start to shine in TMS. You probably have never played crazier or more insane tracks in a racing game unless you’ve played the original. There will be huge jumps that will have you leaping over massive sections of the tracks.

The track designs are outrageous and at times extremely frustrating. You want to fly through the tracks at top speed but will have to come to a screeching stop sometimes with almost no notice in order to prepare for the next section of the track. Another fault in the track designs is the lack of guardrails or barriers to keep you on the track. You will find your car almost floating off the tracks without a warning if you don’t slow down. But this adds to the fun of the game because you won’t find another game with tracks as insane and crazy as TMS.

The other modes available in the game are the Crazy and Puzzle Challenge modes. The Crazy challenge mode is one large stunt track challenge that has you competing against 12 AI controlled cars on one track. You have to eliminate all 12 of the AI cars to clear the level. The Puzzle Challenge mode is a great mode that gamers will probably never expect to play in a racing game. You have to put the pieces of the track back together just like a jigsaw puzzle. Once you have the puzzles complete then you have to race through track in order to clear the level. I thought this was a great feature in the first game and it’s still great in the new game.

If you enjoyed the first game then you should enjoy the new version. For gamers that never had a chance to play the first game then TMS is a great introduction to the series. With the revamp graphics and same classic gameplay still in place there is no reason to miss this game. This is one of the most extreme arcade racing game available for the PC gaming market. But all is not perfect with the game because of the gameplay elements. Be prepared to play most if not all of the tracks over again and again and again. This will probably result is frustrating moments that might be hard to overlook for some gamers.

Gameplay: 7.7
The gameplay in TrackMania is a breath of fresh air but at the same time can be a curse. It’s an arcade racer, pure and simple where you try to finish the race with the fastest time or with the least amount of continues. You don’t have to worry about playing tracks over and over again to earn money to upgrade your car. Just drive as fast as you can on the craziest tracks you’ve ever played on. But the tracks seem to be an issue this time because they just feel broken and incomplete compared to the first TrackMania. In the first game I didn’t have the sense of having to replay the tracks over as much as I did with TMS.

Graphics: 8.4
The shadow effects and details on the cars modes and tracks are a great improvement from the first game. The night-time views for the tracks look great and create a serious look to the game when compared to the first game. As you progress later in the game the graphics revert back to the classic look of the first TrackMania game but with some different backgrounds and car models. The frame rate is solid with an occasional hiccup.

Sound: 7.5
The sound effects and music are decent enough but nothing that will wow you. The music is a decent mixture of tracks from European bands that range from rock to dance. I enjoyed a few of the songs but you will probably get tired of hearing the same songs over again if you have to play the tracks repeatedly. The sound effects of the cars were well done and came across clear during the races.

Difficulty: Medium

Concept: 8.0
If this was the first TrackMania game then you could add an extra .5 to the score. So if you’ve never played the first TrackMania then be prepared. As I’ve mentioned several times in this review the tracks are just crazy and insane. How many driving games have you driving through loops, driving off buildings and then have you complete a puzzle in the same game?  But compared to the first game TMS seems to be more of a rehash of the first game. That’s not really too bad but it doesn’t seem as revolutionary as the first game.

Multiplayer: 8.0
The multiplayer mode is another great part of the game. The multiplayer mode offers several different modes, internet, LAN and even two players on the same PC. Playing online allows you to even play custom tracks created by gamers around the world. If you connect to a gamer that has created their own tracks then be prepared to play regardless if the tracks are good or bad. I noticed some slight lag on one game I played but after the first game the lag went away. Another great feature that I consider part of the Multiplayer option is the ability to download new tracks from gaming community. If you think you can make better tracks then what’s included in the game then get to work. Hopefully the game will catch on some more because there were only a handful of players online when I played.

Overall: 7.9
TrackMania Sunrise is a fun-filled, entertaining racing game that shouldn’t disappoint gamers looking for a great racing game. The graphics have a more polished and modern look to them when compared to the first game. It’s not GT4 level of detail but the graphics shouldn’t disappoint anyone. The tracks are main attraction in the game with some unbelievable layouts. Just be prepared to race the tracks over again several times before completing all of them. Gamers looking for an arcade racer on the PC don’t need look much farther then TrackMania Sunrise.