nail'd is a truly hellish ride. No other racing game has ever featured such differences in altitude. Only those who master daring jumps into unknown depths at ultimate top speeds stand a chance to win the challenging action races in nail'd. Steep slopes, suddenly appearing obstacles and surprising turns in the track demand sharp reflexes, requiring players to give their all. Through its insane bursts of speed, nail'd will catapult you from one adrenalin boost to the next. In a tournament, players will charge through diverse geographical track settings, e.g. between the redwood trees and sheer granite mountain faces of Yosemite National Park...

This is obviously going to be compared to games like 2008's Pure, however nail'd is a major step backwards in almost every respect. The graphics and handling aren't as good (there isn't even the option to perform any tricks or move the camera); and the physics are totally screwed. Okay, I know this is a game where you do incredibly crazy jumps from unrealistic heights, but one minute I fell off my bike because I hit a cactus and the next I was hurtling into a rock, only I was able to drive straight up it. Yes it's supposed to be a gravity defying experience, but is this part of the fun of the game, or just a way to hide sloppy programming? The AI is also a little sloppy. One minute I'm in third place and then I crash... the next thing I know I'm in first place.

In fact the only interesting aspects are the fact that you can ride a bike or an ATV (the handling seems to be identical which ever you chose - and that goes for when you change the parts to customise the performance of your vehicle); you can chose a male or female rider; and there's are more than one way to get to the finish line and so working out the quickest route (which usually has the most deadly obstacles) is part of the challenge.

This is a title I'd recommend renting first. To be honest you'll probably have gotten everything out of it before it's time to take it back to the store.

6

Darren Rea