Xbox 360
Racing and puzzle games aren't the likeliest of bedfellows, but in Trials HD the two get up close and personal to deliver a unique experience that is well worth the asking price. On the surface, this is an extreme motorbike racing game set in an abandoned warehouse, full of twisted metal girders, explosives and 100-foot drops, all of which are just right for putting your rider through the grinder and seeing them smashed into a pulp. But look a little closer and you will start to see the underlying puzzle elements amid this orgy of destruction and pain.
There is no steering mechanic in Trials HD, meaning you can only accelerate, brake and reverse along a pre-determined path. This may sound linear but this is far from the reality. Instead of turning with the left stick, you shift your rider's weight, which can be used to ollie off the top of ramps, gain leverage when riding up steep inclines and to stop your rider from flipping over when going down slopes at breakneck speeds. The subtle balance between speed and balancing take this far beyond the realm of the simple circuit racer.
For example, one stage sees your rider pulling off loop de loops to reach higher areas, popping a wheelie into a teetering wooden structure to knock it over, creating a makeshift bridge and slowly manipulating see-saws to reach different heights. It's all very tense, pinpoint stuff and while this intricacy may appeal to puzzle and driving fans, those looking for a straightforward racing title may find themselves in an uncomfortable place.
Make no mistake, while there is genius in its design, Trials HD will test your patience to the utter limit as it can be painfully difficult at times. Trial and error is a common issue here thanks to the fixed camera, particularly when tackling parts of a track you haven't attempted before. All too often you will cautiously ride along, unsure of what to expect, only to be introduced face first to a wall or explosive barrel. Thankfully, you are allowed unlimited restarts from the last checkpoint gate and there are plenty of these per stage. The only kicker is that your total time doesn't restart meaning you are penalised every time you fall back on this.
To obtain good times and gold medals on each stage, you will really need to map out the layout of each level in your mind by having several stabs at the harder sections. If this sounds like a chore then the game most definitely isn't for you. However, determined players will enjoy 50 tracks of pure mayhem, brain teasing and reflex testing that can provide hours of fun.
Each group of stages is broken down by difficulty setting from easy to extreme, giving you some sort of learning curve, although the last two brackets are mind-meltingly difficult. Performing well will unlock new bikes, challenge modes and stage brackets, which is both rewarding and continually adds depth to the experience. The inclusion of a level editor is a great move on the developer's part. Here you can create a manner of neat tracks for the community to enjoy, or even download some of their brutal monstrosities if you're feeling brave.
When playing online, you can see how well you are performing compared to your friends list, which ups the competitive ante considerably and encourages you to beat their times and claim those bragging rights. Trials HD is a harsh experience, but if you like to be challenged or if you just want to have fun pulling of impossible stunts and flinging your driver around like a ragdoll then this might just be what you're looking for.
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Under the previous scoring system (before 09/09/09) this game received a score of seven out of ten.