Monster Energy Supercross: The Official Videogame 3
- February 4, 2020
- Milestone
- 18h median play time
While far from perfect, Monster Energy Supercross 3 is an exciting slice of dirt bike racing fun, packed with content.
"Monster Energy Supercross 3" is an offroad motorcycle racing game featuring the official 2019 Monster Energy AMA Supercross season. The game includes a track editor, career mode, and multiplayer. Riders can choose from various riders, bikes, and customization options to compete in races.
Reviews
- Great graphics and improved physics compared to previous titles.
- Fun gameplay with a good variety of content, including a track editor and licensed riders.
- Engaging and challenging racing experience that rewards skill and practice.
- Horrible controls and inconsistent physics make it frustrating, especially for beginners.
- AI behavior is often unrealistic and overly aggressive, leading to unfair racing experiences.
- Lack of proper tutorials and guidance for new players, making it hard to learn the game mechanics.
- graphics94 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising their quality and realism, particularly in terms of environmental details and animations. While some players note significant improvements over previous versions, others criticize the visuals for feeling outdated or cartoonish compared to modern standards. Overall, the graphics are generally considered good, with some standout features, but there are calls for further enhancements in gameplay and AI to match the visual quality.
“The graphics are very nice, tire tracks remain in the dirt, realistic wind effects on clothing, amazing replay features, it's an all around pleasant game to play.”
“Now in 2022 I purchased this Monster Energy Supercross and truly amazed with its jaw-dropping graphics.”
“The visuals are fantastic, and when the textures and effects are combined with the sound the game has a really immersive feel.”
“The color of the world looks very dried out and dead; the graphics are basically the same as the other games.”
“But these games continue to be a game from 2005 with current day visuals.”
“The controls are so loose, whips are uncontrollable, jumps are made in stupid proportions, and mainly the graphics have downgraded somehow.”
- gameplay68 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 32 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally regarded as fun and engaging, with improved physics and customization options compared to previous titles in the series. While the mechanics are enjoyable and accessible, some players find them repetitive and note issues with jump mechanics that can lead to frustration. Overall, the game strikes a balance between arcade-like enjoyment and simulation, though it is marred by bugs and inconsistencies that detract from the experience.
“Having played Supercross 1, 2, and 3, I believe that this one has the best physics, gameplay, and customization out of the three.”
“If you're looking for a game similar to MX vs ATV, this isn't it; it's a satisfying rhythm-based MX racing game, with more sim-like mechanics while remaining arcade-y enough to enjoy and not be punished for every little mistake.”
“The graphics are beautiful, the animations are smooth, and finally, the whip mechanics are dependent on rider input instead of being a canned animation.”
“I just couldn't get over the fact that I could see faster lines... the bike (in real life) would have easily been capable of hitting those lines... but because of the game mechanics I could not perform those lines.”
“Spent so much time in the compound trying to figure it out and felt like I had it... then you go to an actual race in your season and it's like the mechanic is completely different and doesn't work all of a sudden.”
“This game is just so full of small to mid-sized bugs and obvious shortcuts in production that it hinders the gains made in actual gameplay.”
- stability14 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 86 % negative mentions
The game's stability is marred by frequent lag and glitches, with players reporting instances where their riders freeze mid-race, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences. While some users noted that the game runs well overall and expressed hope for future updates to address these issues, the presence of multiple bugs and poor sound design detracts from the overall enjoyment.
“It runs great.”
“The random lag throughout races where your rider literally freezes in place is so annoying.”
“I end up losing my lead or any kind of place I'm in because my game will lag and my rider freezes to the point that I just have to wait it out in the pause menu for the game to work again.”
“I have around 5 hours in and could count 10-15 bugs or glitches, not to mention that the bike sounds are absolutely horrible (sounds like a lawn mower), physics are broken for the most part, whips are even more scripted than the years prior, the game feels slow for the most part.”
- music10 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising the excellent soundtrack and its fun vibe, while others criticize it as lacking quality or not matching the game's atmosphere. Overall, opinions vary widely, indicating that the soundtrack may appeal to some but not to others.
“A really fun and exciting game (excellent soundtrack!)”
“Mechanics are good, bikes are balanced and the soundtrack is good as well.”
“A really fun and exciting game (excellent soundtrack!)”
“Music could be way better.”
“Terrible garbage soundtrack that does not match the game.”
“Music is not great but maybe just not my taste.”
- humor6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the game to be both challenging and humorous, noting its hilarious visuals and amusing commentary on the reduced gear options compared to the previous year. The humor adds a lighthearted touch to the otherwise difficult gameplay experience.
“It looks hilarious.”
“It seems like there is less gear to choose from this year than last year, which is funny because last year's game wasn't anything to write home about.”
“Hardest game, but funny.”
- story4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story revolves around thrilling smuggling missions where players are pursued by four-wheel vehicles, enhancing the excitement with high-performance bikes that offer greater rewards for tackling more challenging tasks. Overall, players find the narrative engaging and exhilarating.
“This game is amazing, end of story.”
- monetization4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Users express frustration with the monetization strategy of the game, perceiving it as a cash grab due to the annual release cycle and inadequate features, such as misleading claims about dedicated servers. This has led to disappointment among long-time supporters of the franchise.
“I have supported every Moto game that Milestone has released and dealt with the terrible releases and mechanics that result in a game-a-year cash grab format.”
“Also, I feel like the dedicated server advertising was a lie.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
While the track editor may not be the strongest in the franchise, the ability to create and share custom tracks significantly enhances the game's replayability.
“The track editor may not be the best in the franchise, but the ability to create custom tracks significantly enhances replayability.”
“The track editor isn't the best in the franchise, but the addition of custom tracks really boosts replayability.”
“While the track editor has its flaws, the custom tracks it allows for add a great deal of replayability.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is heavily criticized, with players noting severe control issues, particularly in the 250 class, where riders frequently lose control and experience frustrating braking mechanics. The steep jump landings hinder smooth transitions, leading to a lack of flow and slow lap times, making even the easiest difficulty challenging. Overall, the game feels unrefined and lacks the customization options that could improve performance, leaving players disappointed compared to earlier versions.
“Lines are limited since the back ends of jumps are too steep to land on. Even if you get a smooth landing, it's like your brakes are being held down. The 250 class is by far the worst; your rider loses control almost all the time. When you get out of bounds, your brakes will automatically turn on, preventing you from getting a smooth transition back to the track. There's hardly any flow; you either case everything or overjump everything. Your lap times will be so slow that even the easiest difficulty is hard, and the hardest difficulty is almost impossible. The career mode is not interesting or even slightly better than the second game. You can't customize the bikes in terms of performance, even though they all feel terrible. This game has potential, but right now it sucks, and I would recommend the first or second version of this game over this one any time.”
“Lines are limited since the back ends of jumps are too steep to land on. Even if you get a smooth landing, it's like your brakes are being held down. The 250 class is by far the worst; your rider loses control almost all the time. When you get out of bounds, your brakes will automatically turn on, preventing you from getting a smooth transition back to the track. There's hardly any flow; you either case everything or overjump everything. Your lap times will be so slow that even the easiest difficulty is hard, and the hardest difficulty is almost impossible. The career mode is not interesting or even slightly better than the second game. You can't customize the bikes in terms of performance, even though they all feel terrible. This game has potential, but right now it sucks, and I would recommend the first or second version of this game over this one any time.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Supercross 2 effectively captures the vibrant and exhilarating atmosphere of motocross, immersing players in the thrilling experience of the sport.
“Supercross 2 nails the atmosphere of motocross.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Players express frustration with the grinding aspect of the game, particularly due to issues with progress resets that undermine their efforts and time investment.
“After grinding for a week, my progress was reset again.”
“I spent countless hours grinding, only to have my progress wiped out.”
“The grinding feels endless, and just when I think I'm making progress, it all disappears.”
Critic Reviews
Monster Energy Supercross 3 review
While far from perfect, Monster Energy Supercross 3 is an exciting slice of dirt bike racing fun, packed with content.
75%Monster Energy Supercross 3 Switch review | Switch Re:port
Monster Energy Supercross 3 is a decent port on Nintendo Switch, but still suffers from some handling and AI issues.
60%Monster Energy Supercross 3 Switch review | Switch Re:port
Monster Energy Supercross 3 is a decent port on Nintendo Switch, but still suffers from some handling and AI issues.
60%