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PreviousBraid XLAShadow Complex XLANext

Trials HD

Let's get physical
There's a certain level of acceptable simplicity associated with Xbox Live Arcade games. But Trials HD totally breaks that mould. This is no simple, bite-sized package.

What's so brilliant about Trials is its outer simplicity. It's a 2D game where your only mission is to get your motorbike to the end of an obstacle course.

You accelerate with the right trigger, stop with the left and push the analogue stick left and right to control the balance and rotation of your bike.

As long as your wheels make contact with hard surfaces, and not your head, you're good. Earlier levels let you flick off some big ramps, landing comfortably on smooth surfaces while you just nail the throttle and enjoy the ride.

But it's when the later levels start throwing more complex obstacles at you that the game gets interestingly intense. It becomes less about rotating your bike so the wheels are facing the ground and more about managing the game's intricate physics.

That's when you'll have to start leaning to keep your wheels on the ground as you rumble over tyres and barrels. Or tickling the accelerator nervously as you try to climb a steep incline without falling backwards. Or trying to get just the right amount of speed off a jump so as to not land too far or too short of the designated area.

Trails HDOfficial trailer
1:10  Prepare to want this game
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The more you play the more you learn the intricacies of controlling the bike's suspension, to the point where you can even maintain your grip effectively on bumpy surfaces, or use a subtle bounce to spring that extra inch needed to reach the next platform.

It soon gets incredibly hard, but this is a physics playground that's so much fun to play in regardless of whether you're winning or losing.

Retrying a level upwards of 50 times won't be uncommon, but you're always so close to getting over that box, or reaching the top of that hill, that you'll keep retrying until your fingers get stiff.

For that alone, we'd tell you to buy the 1200 MS point game. But Trials cements its value with a wicked Skill Games mode. Like the mini games in Flat Out, this mode has fun with the game's physics, containing a bunch of challenges like leaping the farthest, climbing the highest up a hill, doing the longest wheelies or surviving the longest riding inside a giant steel ball as it tumbles down a hill. It's brilliant pass-the-pad fodder.

Trails HDOfficial trailer
1:23  A level-editing showcase video full of awesome
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In one mission you have to tow a trailer containing two bombs as quickly but, impossibly, as smoothly as possible.

Add to that a pretty powerful course editor that lets you create your own levels or mini games, and then upload them for others. If this game's as popular as it deserves to be, there'll be hundreds of brilliant user-made levels on offer within a couple of months.

Trials HD can be frustrating when some of the harder levels contain obstacles as simple as a box that's just too bloody big to leap, and eventually getting over it is more a case of luck rather than clearly defined tactics, and a split screen/online two-player race mode (we're thinking Sonic the Hedgehog-style) is sadly missed.

You may even put a minus point on the fact that this is essentially nothing new - we've been playing Elasto Mania since the early '90s. But Trials turns the old formula into something instantly current-gen with great physics. Trials HD is the best XBLA game of this year so far. Buy it.

computerandvideogames.com
// Overview
Verdict
Amazing physics playground with totally engrossing gameplay.
Uppers
  Devilishly moreish
  Impressive physics
  Big - 50+ levels, editor, mini games
Downers
  No versus multiplayer
  Some frustrating obstacles
  Stiff fingers
// Screenshots
// Interactive
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Posted by eltonbird
If I were Microsoft I'd get this game advertised on telly! I think it's a perfect title to appeal to the masses.

"Trials HD 2" with simultaneous multi-player could be phenomenal!
Posted by shadyMrPatch
Its not new, I've had this on the PC for ages.

There's a 2D browser capable flash version too if you give it a quick google.

Both are very good.
Posted by Dajmin
This is really good. I picked it up yesterday and been havnig a lot of fun with it. The hard levels are jus that - some of them crazy complex. And the level editor is sweet too.

It's a little more than just an HD overhaul of the Flash game, but obviously it follows the same rules.
Posted by MrPirtniw
After FINALLY getting a broadband connection im my lovely new lodgings, I've managed to get Xbox LIVE for the first time- ever!

Getting up to date with all the quality games I've missed is getting costly- Castle Crashers is pure awesome though. And now having just downloaded the trial of err... Trials HD, I may have to splash out some more.

Cripes! Heaven forbid I've already got a dozen games I'm interested in being released before christmas...
Posted by ledickolas
Absolutely loving this game. Took a while to get used to the subtlety of the controls and I'm still no where near a master, but my improving competency has given me an increased appreciation.

Wish it had multiplayer though. This has been a great year for arcade... hopefully Shadow Complex will complete an excellent summer round up.
Posted by lonewolf2002
Definately not new - kickstart on the c64 and excitebike spring to mind for obvious reasons, might be worth a little look though.
Posted by Mortey
Brilliant game, got it last night and polayed it for hours!

Frustrating but good frustrating if that makes sense.

Also does anybody know how to get past those globes?!!
Posted by Alnilam81
Those balls were a pain, basically you need to get onto the first globe and the slowly reverse (hold brake) so that the globe rolls upto the second one, then get onto that one and do the same. You need to be right on top of the first one though otherwise you can't get up onto the second.
Posted by KK-Headcharge78
This game is so playable, downloaded it last night and was on it till my eyes fell out, well worth the cash.
Posted by BeauBeau
Oh my God it's Kickstart...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srr9YrvoszU
Posted by nee50n
Oo I absloutely loved Kickstart when I was a kid. I had it on the Atari 800xl.

I remember it would take 20+ mins to load and the slightest move or vibration and the load would fail - but well worth it when the game arrived.

Also if I remember right it was Mastertronic - ie a budget game.

£1.99
Posted by Mark240473
Played the trial last night and it was good fun. I'll probably get this over the weekend.
Posted by Conkers
This is literally the best money (points…gnnnh gnnnh) I have spent on Xbox Live, I thought Battlefield was, but this is amazing, and gaming crack. I’d played the flash versions before so I knew what to expect, but this is so much better.

I haven’t played the PC versions, though they are supposed to be similar there are some levels etc. on this that are supposed to be new. Either way all the levels on it are new to me and it’s like I’m smoking gaming crystal meth, it’s so funking addictive.
Posted by ricflair
I played the trial version last night, I was going over the final course loads, just different routes depending on speed etc. I was unsure about getting it as you can get similar things on the PC for nowt, but the shiny graphics and playing with pad/TV swung me.

Very addictive. Live has done well for games this year, it's a real shame to all those who don't have their 360s online. Shadow Complex looks great too.

Although I did just see Daisy Fuentes Pilates is coming to the wii, perhaps I'll save my money for that.

Can you upload/swap/download user created levels?
Posted by ricflair
Just reread the review - you can upload/download created levels. I'm 110% sold now!
Posted by Conkers
Just get it, though for future reference there is no possible way you can be 110% sold on anything. That would be PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE!!
Posted by ricflair
I'm 120% sure it's not impossible.
Posted by Dajmin
Unfortunately you can only share levels among people on your friends list, but the current workaround is to add someone, download their levels and then remove them again - you don't lose anything you download until you choose to delete it.

And I'm 157% certain it's nearly time to go home from work.
Posted by ginsin
Niceone. Castle Crashers is pure greatness. There are quite a few XBLA games well worth buying. Haven't tried Trial HD yet, but I will.

Feel free to add me if you so wish. GT: ginsinuk
Posted by Tonyb
»

It's a great game mate, and I'm 150% you'll absolutely love it! Buy it, you won't regret it!!
Posted by Conkers
»

I'm 100% sure it is. I'm also 100% sure that I'm very happpy the football is back.
Posted by Tonyb
»»

Do you practice being a bell-end or does it just come naturally?
Posted by Conkers
»»»

What rattled your little chump cage you mug? Or do you always just insult people for no reason? That’s what bell-end normally gets reserved for, or wanker, or ****, or perhaps even ****, all of which probably suit you rather well.

Or do you have something against football?
Posted by AKTIVATOR
the feedback this game gives u via great physics is a great sign of thing to come!!! unfortunatly there are still some full price games out there that just dont cut the mustard with the controls as we all know!!!,,,,gaming since 1977.
Posted by gjgbarclay
Anyone know of any forum/community where people are making good levels and letting you add them... I bet theres some awesome potential there, have you seen the Editor trailer at GT?
Posted by the688
This is just like Trials on Steam, right?

Highly recommended, although I'll stick to the PC version.
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