Trials Fusion
Developer: RedLynx
Publisher: Ubisoft
Genre: Platform, Racing
Platform(s): PC (reviewed), PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
There is something about Trials Fusion that will make throw your controller (or keyboard) and tightly clench your fingers. And you’ll be doing that more than once.
That doesn’t mean that Trials Fusion is a bad game. It’s actually pretty damn good. But the challenges it poses, especially in the late levels are unforgiving and extremely difficult to pull off. And just like me, you’ll be hitting the retry button countless times. The game does a neat job in letting out all your obsessive compulsive disorders. A handful of levels had sections I just couldn’t pass, so I kept hitting the retry button, which took me back to the last checkpoint. I failed again, but then I tried the second time. Then the 50th time. Later, I didn’t realise I was on my 162nd attempt until I finally got the technique right and managed to cross that sodding wooden platform. And then, next level, it all started again.
Trials Fusion presents its challenges to you. They’re very sadistic actually, as if the game designers wanted it to be that way. The theme in Trials Fusion is the future. Even the title track sings “Welcome to the future. Let’s try and change the future.” The ‘future’ theme is realised by tracks based in a futuristic setting. But there’s more than that to it: a very subtle backdrop, and that is sadism. Almost every track you finish ends with a death, which isn’t necessary, but the developers didn’t think so and put it anyway. Even the two AI announcers sound presumably sarcastic and sadistic. “You won! Let’s celebrate by taking a shower together. Oh, I meant YOU celebrate by taking a shower.” says the voice of Cindy, your ‘personal trainer.’
There are about 6 levels in total, and each level has a collection of 12-15 tracks. Most of the tracks are ‘trials’, meaning you’ll have to complete them within a specified time range to win either of the three medals. Winning medals unlocks the next level. This is the same structure that Codemasters’ Dirt and GRID racing simulations follow. Apart from trials, each level has one track for FMX tricks, and a skills track. Skill tracks vary, some require you to go the furthest without shifting the weight of your body, some require you to eject yourself from the bike, falling as far as you can go.
Apart from the medals, every level has three unique challenges. These can range from “start a tennis match” to “become superman on top of the river.” In a certain track you pass through a tennis court, where you’re supposed to do something that supposedly starts a game of tennis. I still can’t figure out what, fyi. Superman is a pose you can achieve, once you’ve unlocked FMX tricks. Then there are also cleverly hidden levels within levels, which take you to a different realm altogether.
The motorbike manoeuvring is purely physics based, and so are the levels. You control the weight of your anonymous and silent rider, along with the angle of your bike. It’s all very believable and works with clinical accuracy. Trials Fusion is a game made for perfectionists. It’s easy to learn but difficult to master.
Early level tracks are designed with a lot of “WOW” factor in mind. They’re pretty magnificant. You’ll be colliding with UFOs, plunging water pipes will break your path to reveal a new one. I felt the later level tracks lost some of the shine the earlier ones had. That is not the same with the level of challenge though, of which the increment is logical but can get overwhelming at times.
Only a handful of motorbikes are available, and RedLynx chose to do away with showing the stats of a bike. Only a 140 character description is provided to make you understand your bike. To Trails Fusion’s credit, all bikes control uniquely, and have their own set of pros and cons. What the bikes do achieve is a sense of belonging, you get attached to the bike that matches your style, and that’s a good thing.
Trials Fusion is best when played against friends. The quest to beating your friend’s timings is an enjoyable one, and nothing is fluke, it’s pure physics that matters. There will be certain points during the single player campaign where I found it impossible to gather my will and call it day, but I was glued like a leech. I just had to complete the level I was stuck on. And I knew I would fail, but I went at it. OCD all over again. And once you complete the level you were stuck on, you immediately move to the next, without even noticing that the clock just hit 4 in the morning. The drive to attain perfection can be a mentally diffusing and consuming one.
But then again, amongst all the games that have launched recently, Trails Fusion holds a special spot, a spot that is challenged by none. I never expected I’d play this game after completing all the levels, but I kept coming back for more. It’s the kind of a game you’ll play when you’re lazy and don’t want to invest yourself mentally. It’s the challenge the game poses to keep you intrigued and coming back for more. I’d be back home after a hard days work (gaming) and I’ll immediately fire up Trails Fusion, it’s the mindless entertainment value I seek out of it.
