Following up its PC release in 2008, RedLynx simple yet addictive motorcycle racing game has made its debut this week as part of Xbox Live’s summer releases. With its wide selection of levels, character and bike customization and level editor, Trials HD is the perfect cure for the current drought of summer releases.

For players who weren’t familiar with Trials on the PC, the game is a solid mix of flash based stunt games i.e. Stunt Dirt Bike and the timeless classic Excite Bike topped off with a solid physics engine. The game is divided into two different modes: Race Mode and Skill Games. Race Mode pits the player against 50-plus challenging levels that have been divided up into 5 different categories: Beginner, Easy, Medium, Hard and Extreme. Each category adds on a new set of challenges for the player to tackle thus building the difficulty up along the way. At the start of each new difficulty, the player is given a tutorial to help learn the new skills that will be needed to master the levels set in front of them. As imagined, as the difficulty increases wrecks and bailouts become more and more common, however the developers have put in place a rather forgiving checkpoint system to aid the player and keep them engaged without getting frustrated.

Each level has a specified par time that is tied to a medal ranking that ranges from bronze to gold. Players who simply wish to play through the game and experience all that Trials has to offer should have no problem jumping and using the provided checkpoint system to complete each set of levels. However for the more enthusiast players who wish to master and achieve gold on each level, they have a much harder task at hand. To master every level and achieve gold medal, players will need to have a balance of patience and precise timing. This is due to the fact that as the difficulty progresses, so do the physic-based challenges put in place within the level. Players will need to time their throttle and brake presses to manipulate world objects to complete the path to the end of the course. This can be frustrating at times, but the checkpoint system never allows it to become too painful.

Race Mode throws a little over 50 levels at the player to power through, however the fun doesn’t end once the races are over. Skill Games are unlocked throughout the progression of the game. These games allow players to jump in and out of 12 different game modes that challenge the player to complete such tasks as climb the hill the fastest and break as many bones in your body by hitting objects. These games are not only addictive, but also add a fun hot seat multiplayer mode to the game as well.
With over 50 Race Mode levels and a slew of others in the Skill Games there is no lack of content for the player to experience. Yet despite all the content that comes with the game, RedLynx saw fit to kick it up one more notch by adding an impressive level editor. With this editor players can create their own trials, test them out and then upload them for the rest of the community to experience.

Though it may seem like a steep price at 1200 points, I can assure you that it is money well spent. RedLynx didn’t just deliver a hi-res flash port. No, they have created a full gaming experience that will continue to deliver new content through the online community for some time. So if you find yourself looking for that next great game to play this summer, look no further than Xbox Live and pickup Trials HD. I assure you, you will not be disappointed.

Score: A-