MX vs ATV Legends
- June 28, 2022
- Rainbow Studios
- 8h median play time
MX vs ATV Legends plays well for the most part, and despite some issues with the AI and a streamlined career, there's still a lot to like.
"MX vs ATV Legends" is a racing game that lets you compete on bikes, ATVs, and UTVs in massive open environments and a new career mode. The game features 2-player split-screen and 16-player online mode, as well as a new Trails mode for high-intensity outdoor racing. Customize your rider and vehicles with parts and gear from leading off-road manufacturers. Your choices in career mode lead to different paths, sponsorships, and special events.
Reviews
- graphics255 mentions
- 49 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received a mixed but generally positive reception, with many users praising their quality and visual appeal, describing them as "amazing" and "stunning." However, some critics argue that while the graphics are an improvement over previous titles, they still fall short of modern standards and lack sufficient customization options. Overall, the visuals are seen as a strong point, but they are accompanied by concerns regarding gameplay mechanics and content depth.
“Graphics are amazing.”
“I have really enjoyed mx vs atv legends and the improvements the devs at Rainbow Studios have done since the start in June of 2022, excellent graphic visuals creating euphoric ecstasy when playing and I like it the best of all of the versions in the mx vs atv franchise.”
“The graphics are beautiful and the terrain looks really good!”
“Ok, I'm going to be brutally honest: this game is so bad it's not even funny. How can you make a game in 2022 that looks like some of the mobile games I played in 2013? It is honestly disgusting how bad it looks, and the controls are just as bad. The bikes have no torque and are pretty much lawn mowers with two wheels. This game is horrible; I do not recommend it. I really expected better. It's literally just the same as their old game Reflex, which I played when I was 7 on the Xbox 360. They made a very minor improvement on graphics, barely noticeable, and changed the maps while making you pay more money. You don't even get to use real branded vehicles unless you pay real money for them, unlike Reflex where you at least got to use KTM for free.”
“The controls are funky, the graphics are terrible... the bikes sound like trash, physics for bikes is okay, but for four-wheeled stuff, forget about it.”
“It just didn't seem polished at all, and the graphics for a game released in 2022 feel pretty gross.”
- music178 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising the variety and modern choices, while others criticize it for being poorly mixed, overly loud, or featuring songs that don't fit the game's vibe. Many users expressed frustration over the lack of control over the soundtrack, suggesting that the ability to skip or customize tracks would enhance the experience. Overall, while some find the soundtrack enjoyable, a significant number feel it detracts from the gameplay due to its inconsistency and volume issues.
“I cannot believe the music choice they put in this game.”
“Music choices are rad, as there’s some more modern-ish music in it, mixed with some older ones.”
“The game looks great graphics wise, soundtrack I found to be very great surprisingly.”
“The game has literally the worst music I have ever heard in my entire life, no exaggeration.”
“Who was in charge of the music choice absolutely ruins the game.”
“The audio is mixed like a commercial; the music can sometimes be stupid loud even on the lowest setting, while the bike can barely be heard at times.”
- gameplay122 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the skill-based mechanics and improved driving controls, while others criticize the overall execution, including clunky mechanics and frustrating elements like the preload system. Many feel that the game lacks polish compared to previous titles in the series, particularly MX vs ATV Reflex, and express disappointment over the track design and the necessity of purchasing additional content for a complete experience. Despite these issues, some players find the gameplay enjoyable and addictive once they adapt to the mechanics.
“The controls and mechanics feel very skill-based, which is good; I am sure it creates a big skill gap between good and bad players.”
“Once you get used to the mechanics for scrubbing, seat boost, etc., it's a really smooth game, especially in first person.”
“I really like the physics and mechanics of the game; I really think they got something good going on here.”
“On top of that, the gameplay itself is repulsive.”
“This is probably the worst MX vs. ATV game made yet, very clunky and awful mechanics.”
“A complete and utter physics and gameplay mess, not even diehards of MX, ATV and/or UTV racing should start this race.”
- story72 mentions
- 24 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The story in "MX vs ATV Legends" is generally viewed as basic and somewhat forgettable, with many players noting it feels like filler rather than a substantial narrative. While some appreciate the attempt to incorporate a storyline into the career mode, others criticize it for being simplistic and lacking depth, often comparing it unfavorably to other racing games. Overall, the story adds a slight layer of character interaction but is often overshadowed by gameplay issues and repetitive elements.
“The story-line is great and it's fun riding around while listening to your top music playlists.”
“I personally do love how they incorporated a sort of story to the career mode.”
“Story mode is cool and a nice change of pace from just doing random events for no real reason.”
“I get the intention here but it just seems like a lot of unneeded filler to make it seem like there is more of a story to this game than there is.”
“The AI is terrible, the maps are scenic and fun yet very unpolished, the vehicles feel weightless, and the 'story' is laughable and unneeded.”
“Story mode seems like a kid's game which is just sad considering that the main player base of MX vs. ATV is adults who spend hundreds if not thousands of hours playing the game.”
- stability50 mentions
- 4 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 96 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and performance issues, even a year after its release. Players have experienced problems such as character animations, physics inconsistencies, and frequent crashes, leading to frustration and refunds. While some updates have improved the situation, many users still find the game to be unfinished and unstable, though they acknowledge its potential for fun once these issues are addressed.
“I am happy to report that the formula still works and it runs great on Steam Deck on medium.”
“The career glitches and you can't play.”
“It keeps almost crashing every 10 minutes, just freezes all the time and it's not my PC; everything else works as it should. I'm not even able to get through the tutorial like this before I get into the 2-hour zone and won't get refunded. I was expecting the world more from this game; such a shame it could have been so much better.”
“Unfinished, buggy, really bad performance (sub 100 fps with 1080ti on medium settings).”
- optimization34 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 26 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its good graphics and solid performance on high settings, while others criticize it for being poorly optimized, experiencing stuttering, low frame rates, and buggy features. Many users express a desire for better performance customization options, as well as improvements in handling and overall gameplay experience. Overall, the game's optimization appears to be a significant point of contention among players.
“The game has been updating so well, and the performance is really good even with ultra graphics; it looks amazing and runs amazing too!”
“Good graphics with great optimization.”
“Brings back that MX vs ATV Untamed feeling in me, so I am pretty happy with the game. The performance customization could be a lot better though.”
“This game is horribly optimized and half the features don't even seem to work.”
“Unfinished, buggy, really bad performance (sub 100 fps with 1080ti on medium settings).”
“Graphics and music are good but the handling and stuttering make this game not fun.”
- monetization19 mentions
- 5 % positive mentions
- 21 % neutral mentions
- 74 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been heavily criticized, with many users labeling it a "cash grab" due to essential content like bikes and maps being locked behind microtransactions. Despite the initial excitement generated by advertising, players feel the game is unfinished and that the monetization model detracts significantly from the overall experience. Overall, the sentiment suggests a strong disapproval of the game's pricing and content accessibility.
“(Rating: PEGI 3, In-game purchases, Release date: 28-06-2022, Price: £34.99+)”
“I realize creating content takes time and money, but there's no excuse for some pretty default bikes and maps being hidden behind microtransactions.”
“Lastly, I want to mention what a gross cash grab the game is for half of the vehicles that need to be purchased separately.”
“I hope they have a lot planned for the game, but I honestly just see microtransactions from hell incoming.”
- grinding12 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring a significant investment of hours without meaningful progress. Many express frustration with interruptions that detract from the experience, and the overall design, including menus and camera angles, is seen as needing improvement.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The interrupts were tedious and added nothing at all to the experience; they would have been better to not be there at all.”
“The career events are so painful and tedious to play; the customization of your bike and rider could use some improvements, as well as the menu and UI. The camera angles are not very good and slightly odd.”
- humor12 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding the racing antics, such as AI characters flying off track, genuinely hilarious. However, others criticize the game's overall quality and graphics, suggesting that the humor doesn't compensate for its shortcomings. While some nostalgic players appreciate the comedic elements reminiscent of older titles, others feel the game's flaws overshadow any potential laughs.
“Yes, it was hilarious on the older titles.”
“The racing is hilarious (watching the AI whiskey throttle off track and go flying/ragdoll into space is too good) and with the right camera setup feels fast.”
“Tutorial was a breeze and took maybe 15 minutes max. This is an absolutely solid racer that still may need some fine tuning (starting animations with the elbows is hilarious) but for its current price of $35, it's a steal if you're into the idea of free-roaming and racing some simply amazing tracks.”
- emotional8 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -12 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
Users express disappointment in the emotional impact of the game, citing a boring story and a sense of heartbreak over its decline from previous iterations. The first-person perspective is criticized for detracting from the experience, leaving players feeling disconnected and frustrated.
“I have played these games ever since I was a kid; it's heartbreaking to see how they have turned out.”
“The story was incredibly boring and failed to evoke any emotional response.”
“I found the narrative to be dull and lacking in emotional depth.”
“The emotional aspects of the game were overshadowed by a tedious storyline.”
- replayability5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express optimism about the game's replayability, noting that while physics improvements are still needed, the overall playability has increased. The potential for modding is highlighted as a key factor that could enhance replayability for both solo and multiplayer experiences, contributing to the game's longevity.
“It's still better than a milestone game like MXGP or MESX, and I'm confident the modding community will give this game real replayability with friends and solos alike.”
“At the same time, it feels like it generates a high replayability level, and at the end of the day, this is what helps keep a game alive a long time after its launch.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is criticized for being dull and lifeless, with a map layout that lacks engagement and a soundtrack that detracts from the experience. Interactable NPCs feel uninteresting and contribute to a sense of emptiness in the game world, leaving players wanting a more immersive environment.
“The game presents itself as a sort of free roam, where you can go around on your bike and have some fun. The problem is the map layout is a little dull, and it strongly feels like there is just something missing, like maybe a touch of atmosphere. The music is horrible, and around the map are interactable characters or NPCs that act as brick walls when you go near them. Talking to them is so uninteresting; I don't know, the game world just feels empty and a bit lifeless to me.”
Critic Reviews
MX vs ATV Legends Review – When Legends Die
MX vs ATV Legends could have been a decent arcade-style, sim-lite racer. Whatever appeal could be found in mastering jumps and customizing vehicles is beset by numerous issues. It's not grossly offensive but you're better off investing time in just about any other racer.
50%MX Vs ATV Legends
MX Vs ATV Legends is a fast racing title with a familiar story. With plenty of modes to select from and an array of custom options, you'll be kept busy. Though the gameplay is repetitive it never feels mundane or tiresome. This is thanks to the adrenaline-fuelled action and variety of machines on offer. + Nicely detailed graphics. + Authentic audio. + Simple controls. + A thorough tutorial. - The online option didn't work. - Repetitive gameplay. (Rating: PEGI 3 In-Game Purchases Release date: 28-06-2022 Price £34.99+) (Reviewed on the Xbox Series X. Also available on Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5)
70%MX vs ATV Legends review
MX vs ATV Legends plays well for the most part, and despite some issues with the AI and a streamlined career, there's still a lot to like.
70%