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Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX
Score: 93%
ESRB: Everyone
Publisher: Acclaim
Developer: Z-Axis
Media: CD/1
Players: 1 - 2
Genre: Sports

Graphics & Sound:
Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX's graphics aren't bad. They aren't great, but they aren't bad either. I would have to compare them to something better than Jeremy McGrath, but not as good as Tony Hawk. What we have is more attention to detail. The lighting and frame rates are still fairly poor, but more detail makes for a better over all experience.

Dave Mirra BMX shows good detail in both the bike and rider as well as the tracks. Well, it kinda has to have good detail on the track because everything is fully interactive. I really would classify the graphics as better than average. Also better than average - actually much better - is the musical sound track. Once again, Acclaim adds high energy, popular music the likes of Sublime, Rancid and Cypress Hill to supplement the already good game.


Gameplay:
Earlier, I compared BMX to Tony Hawk. Well, picture Tony Hawk, only with a bike as opposed to a skateboard. Well that's what BMX is. It is the same kind of game, and it plays very similar to it. Also, it is just as fun, if not more so. This is one of those games that caught me by surprise. I usually don't get too into extreme sports, but NCAA took a back seat to this one for a long time (and that says a lot). There are four modes of play to Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX: Freeride, Proquest, Session, and 2 Player. In Freeride, all you do is ride around in one of the dozen tracks, doing tricks to your hearts content. This tends to be a good practice mode as you can pull up an on-screen trick list while you play. In Proquest, you proceed through the 12 levels, accomplishing the determined objectives on each. This mode is the real 'meat' of the game. In Session, you have a time limit. Capture as many points as you can before time runs out. The 2 Player mode is just as it sounds. Take on your buddy in any of 10 challenges. These challenges include the 2 minute best run, best of five trick competition, B-M-X (a horse game), random spot (you have random tricks to do), wipeout (see who can eat the best pavement), longest grind, highest wall tap, big air, furtherest jump, and longest manual. The 2 player mode offers endless fun and entertainment as well as good competition. Overall, I found the game to be very fun. Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX has a very addictive flavor to it. It runs great, and really is put together very well.

Difficulty:
Surprisingly, I found BMX to be manageable. I mean the first time I played it, I was doing tricks - and doing them well. I found that the tricks are easy to perform, but difficult to master to perfection. That makes for a very good balance in the game. The game is easy enough to have fun with, but difficult enough to make it a challenge.

Game Mechanics:
>Again, BMX handles a lot like Tony Hawk. It has the same kind of interface and play. I though that the game ran smooth enough. I also think that the controls are very conducive to a good gaming experience. The controls are good, and the game is put together well. Even the vibration is subtle enough to notice, without getting in the way. All in all, this is one game that you need to check out.

-Storm, GameVortex Communications
AKA Jeremy Kelso

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