Kicking up a Storm

We get our mitts on Evolution Studios' stunning PlayStation 3 racer, MotorStorm. Next generation gaming is here - and it's muddy.

One of the first games ever announced for PlayStation 3, at the E3 expo in May 2005, MotorStorm has been highly anticipated ever since its first unveiling. Evolution Studios - famed for its highly playable, realistic WRC titles on PlayStation 2 - has taken a break from the World Rally Championship and let its collective imagination loose on a no-holds-barred racer that promises to be one of the early standouts on PS3.

We managed to sample an early version of the game, featuring a track set in a canyon full of ramps, banks, jumps and junk. There are plenty of different vehicles on offer, from zippy little motorbikes to hulking trucks, and your race experience varies massively depending on your choice.

Rev it up

We jumped onto a motorbike for our first go, and found its speed and manoeuvrability make for an exciting ride. The vulnerability of it means it's a balanced choice, however - when you're racing amid trucks and jeeps, you're going to come off worse in any collision.

This makes for some hair-raising, exciting moments, and MotorStorm is already providing thrills that are distinctly its own. And when the collisions do come, they're spectacular - whether you're on a bike or in a truck. Although especially when you're on a bike.

The reason the prangs and pile-ups are so marvellous is down to the physics - an area where Evolution has done a spectacular job. The way your vehicle responds to its environment is utterly convincing, and high speed smashes send debris flying in a deeply entertaining way. It's been a while since we've played a game and deliberately crashed to see what happens, but MotorStorm had us doing it all the time (yes, we're still insisting it was deliberate).

Mud, glorious mud

The visuals are part of the attraction here, too. Whether playing on a High Definition TV or in Standard Definition, the game looks stunning - with intricately detailed vehicles, a realistic, deformable track, and plenty of jostling between the pack. Crucially, it's already immense fun to play - and the sense of spectacle is already deeply impressive. Rest assured, MotorStorm is shaping up to be the contender it always appeared to be - expect more information nearer the game's launch.