As the difficulty in MX vs. ATV Reflex ramps up you earn money to spend on either new vehicles or upgrading/customizing your favorite ride until it is on par with the others. I found myself not really using the upgrade or marketplace system as much as I probably should have and one of my small complaints would be just that; it needs a little more polish and explanation but at the end of the day it’s still usable. It’s also obvious which vehicle classes were the main focus of the developers time, with everything other than the MX and ATV classes seeming little more than an afterthought (but still a welcome addition to the game). There is so much variety in Reflex that never once did I find myself bored with the game, and the career mode is deep enough that it will take much more than one weekend to complete (especially with all gold trophies). One of the favorite aspects of the previous MX vs. ATV game was the free ride gameplay mode; thankfully this year THQ has brought it back with even more over-the-top features and options (playable both offline and online).
If you need to take a break from playing through the career MX vs. ATV Reflex includes a very intense multiplayer offering, via a multitude of different online modes and mini-games. Not only does the game feature exactly what one would expect from an off-road racing game (freestyle, nationals, supercross, etc.) in terms of Xbox LIVE play but the developers also spent a good bit of time to make sure there was something fun in the game plan. This includes different “not so normal” multiplayer modes such as snake, keep-away, tag, and more of the like. Graphically Reflex is a big step up for the series, featuring some of the best terrain-deformation that we have ever seen in a video game and it actually impacts the gameplay. By the final lap of most races there were so many tracks cut in the ground that we literally were bumping and bouncing all over the place, resulting in some real exciting crashes towards the finish line. The completely overhauled physics/collision system also helps push the pace during races; helping the authenticity shine through.
The locations are varied and inspired by real-world locations, giving MX vs. ATV Reflex that authentic feeling that most motocross fans will be looking for. It’s obvious that the developers learned from their mistakes with the first game because all the problems with sound effects are fixed; there is also a decent heavy-metal inspired soundtrack that fits in perfectly with the gameplay. Luckily for THQ there are not a whole lot of off-road racing games for fans to choose from on the Xbox 360, and because of that Reflex is able to slide into the top spot. If you are looking for a game that features authentic MX vs. ATV racing across a number of badass locations Reflex is the title you need to pick up in 2009. It’s always hard for a game to stand out during this overcrowded video game release period but MX vs. ATV Reflex has all the features and options needed to do just that. There is not a better example on store shelves of where this genre is going and what a development team needs to do to create something fun, but still totally playable. MX vs. ATV Reflex may not be perfect on all levels but simply put it's the best off-road racing game on the market.
