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Pumped BMX + (2015, Playstation 4) Review


CHECK THIS OUT, LADIES... OH NOOO!


Also for: Blacknut, Playstation 3, PS Vita, Wii U, Windows, Xbox One


Pumped BMX + is a fairly addictive bike game about defying gravity to impress the crowds - and, of course, reaching the goal line alive. With a good physics engine and simple-but-clear graphics, it's a title to relax in after a session of housework, or during those lazy evenings when you're not in the mood for anything substantial. For a game about extreme sports, it has a surprisingly modest attitude - just look at that carefree smile of the poster boy. Isn't that a sight for sore eyes?

Pumped BMX + is all about making stunts and reaching the goal line safely. To make it you must learn how to build up your momentum and time your jumps and landings. The controls are fairly intuitive, utilizing one button for speed managment, two shoulder buttons to spin the bike and the analogue sticks to flip and perform tricks. It is harder than it sounds, and it's easy to become overzealous and crash. The ragdoll physics make some accidents look extremely painful. It's hard to keep a straight face when that happens.


Judging by the visuals - simplistic 3D models in a 2D-sidescrolling setting - it's obviously a game designed for handhelds. As usual, that means having to endure "mobile progression" (do we have a simpler word for it?) You know, every level has four stars, and to win all of them you need to achieve certain goals. Simply clearing the stage is one, reaching a certain aggregate score is another, performing a single, especially high-scoring trick is yet another.

The hardest star is dedicated to performing a certain predetermined trick, or a combo of tricks (how about a 360-manual-toboggan-backlip >> icepick). At times these challenges drove me downright insane. The right-stick controls are too finicky to be reliable, often resulting in an unintended trick at the end of a combo, which ruins everything. A level rarely has many jumps high enough for advanced combos, so that means having to try over from the start.


But when they work, the controls are very strong. They heighten the sense of participation with a sensational flow. It feels almost like a musical beat. Holding the 'X'-button to gain speed, releasing it at the right time at the end of a ramp, improvising a trick ten meters up in the air, and then pressing and holding 'X' again in time for the landing - it's as close as we can get to the real action from a sideways perspective.

Pumped BMX + has five divisions, and to advance you need to amass a certain number of stars. But the requirements to reach the higher divisions are too strict. You need to clear loads of repetitive and boring challenges throughout the easier courses. Although I've had it up to here with that sort of crummy progression, I admit I found the grind worthwhile once I reached the four- and five-star divisions. I certainly needed the practice.


The late levels are well-designed and challenging. Suddenly you need to perform flawless runs and not drop your speed once. Simply reaching the goal line is hard enough as it is, let alone combining it with advanced air acrobatics. Where I'd only scoffed at my mistakes on the easier levels, I suddenly started to feel a little immersed. I caught my body moving along with some of the action, as if it had a mind of its own. The highest division is the finest, where you can drop all pretense and just go for the goal line. Since there are no divisions left to unlock, you need not bother with the others stars. You can always claim them later.

I can give Pumped BMX + a modest recommendation for people with a little time on their hands. It can definitely be a fun game to gather some friends around, collectively cheering at the slapstick comedy of landing on your nose. It's a little game of little consequence that gave a few laughs. It also got my curiosity going for one of those Trials-games, which I know has gameplay just like this - except you drive a motorcycle.

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