Topic: Split/Second vs Blur vs ModNation Racers (and others)

I got around to trying the demo of Split/Second on my PS3, and I must say it left me a little cold. From all the previews I was expecting to be wowed, but, while the game looks quite nice, the gameplay seems average at best. I can also see how quickly that spectacle could become a bore. I kind of hope there'll be a demo for Blur as I've been more interested in that one anyway. Though ModNation Racers is really the one racing game that I've been looking forward to the most in a long time, and I expect to have a lot more fun with that one than I ever did with Mario Kart Wii and its utterly fun-breaking balance issues. Being able to create your own tracks and play others' is definitely a bonus, too.

I'm not the least interested in GT5 (whenever that'll come out) as I do prefer my arcade racers. Realism isn't fun to me when it comes to video game racers.

Aside from the customization aspect of ModNation I played the PSP version and I say if the PS3 version is anything like the PSP one it is definitly worth skipping because the driving mechanics, items, and overall speed wasn't even close to being as good as Mario Kart DS. (however the PSP version is getting worse reviews than the console version.) Split/second on the other hand is fast, has solid controls, and is more like an arcade racer. However the game has no character or life to it beyond its high speed action which is resonable because it's hard to add some character and life to an inamminate car especially when your trying to be realistic. And Blur...I never played.

The PSP version was also handled by a different developer to boot. With a good chunk of stripped features I didn't expect that one to end up well. You could always try out the PS3 demo, which should be out next week.

@Pegasus I'm not sure if you've heard of the series, but the Burnout games are particularly fantastic when it comes to arcade racing. I'd recommend getting the third installment of the series, Burnout 3: Takedown. It's great fun even if you don't have any friends.

Problem is the only Burnout available on the PS3 is Paradise, and I absolutely despise its open-city setting. It just ruined it for me. Sure, it's fun for a few minutes to goof around in, but, in the end, nothing beats closed-circuit tracks for me. I do enjoy a good game of Wipeout HD though.

The Paradise demo was a lot of fun. I can see how it probably wouldn't be worth buying though.

Hmm.I've been looking forward to Spilt/second too ,I'll have to try the demo for myself (360) although demos don't always tell the full picture.
I second the recommendation for Burnout though.Burnout 1,2 and 3 are pretty much my favourite arcade racers of all time (Just edging Sega Rally from 1st place) It has just enough gimmicks to keep things interesting and slightly tactical and an awesome sense of speed. Love the Crash Mode too, hours of fun.Then they went and ruined it with Paradise.I HATE open world racers, I just fail to see the fun of it. Its a racing game,I wanna race not pootle around looking for one ,then getting lost on the Non-existent courses . Mind you ,it was obvious it would all go downhill once EA got the rights to it,with in-game advertising, a really annoying announcer and crap music.Ah well at least I've got the gamecube versions of 1 + 2 (playable on my Wii ).

@Pegasus... dude whats your screename? I see you post alot about PS3 here. I still havent gotten to the Split Second Demo yet as Ive been playing 3D Dot Heroes and Monster Hunter Tri. I will definately be grabbing it as I loved Disney Interactives other game Pure. Blur is Bizarre Creations new masterpiece Im sure as Project Gotham was Phenominal. Modnation Racers PSP was unimpressive but from what Ive heard from the BETA was really good. Im actually lookiing forward to all of them, but I really doubt I purchase anymore games this year.

Oh Didn't know Split/Second was by the team that made Pure.I'll definetly pick it up now. Pure was a fantastic game loved every minute of it, it had a great trick risk/reward system and it looked stunning to boot.

@Luigi... Split Second was highly inspired by Mario Kart believe it or not. You dont pick up power-ups like in Kart of course but the online experience is what they aimed to nail down. A arcade racer with somewhat of a weapon system as you can take out other drivers with the track elements. I got to try the demo out at some point, but It might be awhile.

@slapshot82 Hmm, its sounding better and better. I shall download the 360 demo tomorrow.

@Luigi... not trying to talk you into anything or understating Pegasus opinion, but I Really enjoyed Pure a lot. Disney Interactive is on my radar as top notch devs from here out.

Good to see another Wipeout HD fan! I downloaded the Split/Second demo but haven't gotten around to playing it yet. Burnout Paradise is loads of fun but I constantly get lost during races so I end up having to restart. Modnation Racers is gonna be awesome but I'll have to wait a few months before picking it up.

I've never played Pure. I'm merely judging Split/Second from what I've played and I was far from impressed. I also know that the former is quite a different racing game from the latter, so saying that their previous game was great doesn't necessitate their newest title to be as good.

By the way, due to slapshot's inquiry I added my PSN name to my signature.

So, I gave the ModNations demo a whirl anyway, and I'm very much liking it. Strange though that it will let you create a mod, but you're not able to actually use it in the demo. Kind of pointless. Guess they just want to give us a glimpse at what you can do in the full game. No matter, as I'm already sold on it as is.

I'll definitely have to brush up on my driving skills though. Took me a good bit to get as high as 3rd on medium on the demo track. I'm too afraid to even try expert. Love the fact though that the AI doesn't cheat - at least I haven't noticed anything unkosher - like in pretty much every other kart racer (rubber-banding for one).

I found out something nifty when an AI racer activated his warp power-up. I was able to boost into his 'warp field' just after he activated it and it warped me with him. Now that was pretty cool. Overall, I like the fact that there are reduced number of power-ups, as it doesn't make for total chaos and you'll never end up with useless power-ups. The shield ability is a god-send, even if it can be a bit tricky timing it. I'll need some more practice with that. In general, I think the use and loss of power-ups seems to be much better balanced here than in Mario Kart.

I heard that Split Second is kind of a one trick pony; impressive the first time, but since everything is scripted, you learn how and when to dodge things.

Ive heard this, but then you take the game online and its pure chaos. The game was made for Online Gameplay Mainly so the scripted events become user based and they arent so scripted anymore lol.

I wasnt nearly as impressed with ModNation Racers as I thought I would be, handling just seemed very off to me. Im making a pass on this one.

Split/Second is pretty cool game and its like Burnout Paradise but Modnation Racers comes out tomorrow though thats gonna be best racing game to play as well... if u guys gonna get that game and play online let me know... we can share our characters and karts we made haha.