Review: Trials Rising (PlayStation 4)

Rating: 8.8
Author: Jim Smale

by Jim Smale · March 12, 2019

Explore over-the-top action and physics-bending motorcycle racing in the latest entry in the Trials franchise. With over 125 new tracks, Trials® Rising is easy to pick up and play, challenging to master and offers the best multiplayer racing experience ever.

Pros:

Decent graphics.
24.66GB download size.
Platinum trophy.
Cheap price point. Not a full retail priced game.
Opening tutorial event.
Full online leaderboard support with filters and friend lists.
Ubisoft club integration.
Bike gameplay that is more a score chaser slash puzzle game.
Instant restart button. Two types- last checkpoint or restart the whole event.
Strong physics and momentum game.
Earn EXP level up and earn gear crates, bikes, and events.
Gear crates- 3 random customization items complete with rarity levels.
Four modes- race (career), multiplayer, party mode and track central.
Can customize your bike and rider.
Track central- play user created tracks and has filters and searches.
Party mode- 2-4 local play where you make a playlist, set up a bet and what bikes are available.
Other player ghosts are in the game.
Two currencies- cogs (in game) and acorns (premium)
University–series of events you unlock over time that goes into great detail on teaching you all the tricks and tips of the game.
Can select a particular person of the leaderboard and face off against their ghost.
Deep logo/paint editor. Forza levels of detail.
A lot more accessible overall.
Locations from all over the world.
World map level select.
Challengers mode-beat a rival 3 times in a row for a special crate.
Skill game festival-fun mini-games like bomb bouncer, power bike and out of control etc.
Race events-Brawl, duels, supercross etc.
Levels are far more extravagant with set pieces and more integrations and action.
Multiple routes in levels.
Two player tandem races, both players control the one bike.
Rock/rap soundtrack.
Same controls as always.
Infinite levels of replayability.
Solid level creator.

Cons:

Long initial load time.
Basic actual creator where you choose male/female, voice and skin color.
In-app purchases for gear crates and items.
Underwhelming loot box contents.
Slow to unlock bikes.
You have to unlock/pay in game for single letters in the editor.
University challenges unlock over time which is crazy.
Clumsy level select, pain to navigate the wide world map.
No music controls like a playlist.
Difficult trophy list.
Doesn’t have a filter to find which races support tandem events.
Only one view in multiplayer.
The view is a bit off at times.
Difficult.
Takes a while to get going as you grind through hours of easy and medium level tracks in the career.

9/10

Graphics - 9/10
8/10

Sound - 8/10
9/10

Accessability - 9/10
9/10

Length - 9/10
9/10

Fun Factor - 9/10

8.8/10

Summary

Trials rising is a huge step up for the series. It has much more support and accessibility for new players or players looking to up their game with the University challenges. Thing is you need to play through the game for hours to unlock these helpful events. Stupid idea. The actual gameplay remains every bit as sharp as before, the levels are a lot grander and more explosive than before and you will love it more for that. One of the most important parts of the game is leaderboards and luckily it all stays the same, you are able to filter results and face off against an opponent of your choice. I really appreciate how they have made the game and the way it plays, I just hate the clumsy world level select making it hard to find new events, tandem events are hidden even further. So, in short, it’s trials as you know and love but the menu and layout bring it down somewhat. I for one thoroughly enjoy it and will continue to play it thanks to the huge community and leaderboard support.