With the Fusion iteration in 2014, we already thought we had the culmination of the Trials formula and, damn it, god knows the game was good. However, this did not prevent the studio from releasing the opus Trials of the Blood Dragon in 2016, renewing its concept in a totally assumed retro-futuristic delirium – it was also the real sequel to Far Cry Blood Dragon , the recognized and well-loved spin-off of the famous saga of Ubisoft. Nowadays, we can only recommend these two exquisite titles, available at low prices and with sublime replayability: however, all eyes are now on the new Rising episode, unveiled with great fanfare at E3 2018 and announcing a new era for licensing. Here, the developers have seen things big and are offering a very attractive revised adventure. However, the concept specific to the series does not change: it is always a question of going through multiple levels going from point A to point B, minimizing faults and favoring the stopwatch, and climbing each level at the increasing difficulty. The rules are childish but so finely adjusted, and supported by such a solid structure, that they are suitable for all types of player while maximizing fun. Trials Rising pushes all these cursors to the fullest brilliantly and we can only congratulate its authors in advance.
TRY HARD & RETRY !
For this episode to mark the end of the generation, RedLynx opted for a real campaign in good and due form. If the old Trials had a relatively classic but effective structure – we were content to unlock the courses one after the other, listed by difficulty – here, its architecture changes the game somewhat. We therefore find ourselves in a kind of international hub (a map of the world, neither more nor less) where we must win the various challenges, gradually appearing in the four corners of the globe. Depending on the score obtained for each event, represented by a bronze, silver, gold or platinum medal, we now obtain experience points which will be used to level up and unlock access to competitions, which will make it possible to reach the following continents with their respective events. A well-crafted progression that allows, as it progresses, to become familiar with a gameplay that is still as technical as ever and to take a breath of fresh air according to the environments.
Trials Rising can actually pride itself on taking the player around the world and, moreover, it is mainly on this that it focuses its communication. The developers have had fun by going to explore dozens of continental regions for a warm mix of cultures: we will sometimes rub shoulders with the Egyptian pyramids, sometimes climb the Eiffel Tower, but also walk around Santa Monica, cross the war zones of regions at risk, climb Japanese temples and even cross the jungles of Bangkok! A traveling aspect, certainly, but which did not prevent RedLynx from taking, once again, the completely fanciful liberties which characterize them. It is even impressive to note the constant creativity of the level design and the artistic direction, thus offering a constant renewal. Some levels are really captivating and well thought out, always filled with humor and spectacular shows, so as to convey even more immediate fun. With all the same 120 different circuits – there are a few repetitions of environments, however – Trials Rising is a small pearl of colors and journeys like the saga had never offered before.
FUN AND REQUIREMENT
Not only does the software like to introduce many journeys, but also several types of tests in order to vary the pleasures. Mostly, this is the classic Trials concept explained previously, but the Finns obviously had several strings to their bows: now, the final competitions take the form of real races – each participant being on their own track – with several rounds playoffs. These tests quickly require perfect learning of the layouts, where the slightest error proves fatal, and thus reinforce the strong die-and-retry aspect of the franchise, especially in the highest difficulties. In addition, the campaign now has a driving school, consisting of numerous challenges to learn the basics of gameplay, as well as multiple wacky mini-games, ranging from the pilot launch to fiery basketball, not to mention the dodges of explosive barrels. Overall, Trials Rising is much more varied in the missions it offers and it's a great pleasure to be able to juggle between all its sections. The structure of the game can also boast of better managing its difficulty, faithful to itself by becoming terribly uncompromising as the single-player campaign progresses, but more easily tamed if one sticks to rigorously doing all the challenges offered. .
Because, yes, Trials Rising may be a game of immediate pleasure in its debut, it is nonetheless one with a damn demanding gameplay.
Because, yes, Trials Rising may be a game of immediate pleasure in its debut, it is nonetheless one with a damn demanding gameplay. However, the formula could not be simpler: you accelerate and decelerate with the triggers and direct your pilot forwards or backwards with the left joystick. It's not rocket science but, very quickly, the gameplay reveals all its complexity in the face of obstacles that seem insurmountable: all the finesse therefore comes from an ultra-precise dosage of the different keys and millimeter timing. Over time, RedLynx has largely been able to fine-tune its recipe in detail and, unsurprisingly, this Rising opus does not invent anything but requires skill and unfailing patience to overcome certain levels. To tell the truth, its Extreme difficulty mode is even furious madness which will put off most players, but before getting there, it will already have to prove itself. To add a bit of spice, the developers have introduced a system of sponsors on most tracks: these will offer you several optional challenges which, if successful, will allow you to earn more experience points, money and unlock some customization items. A good way to further deepen the progression.
NEVER WITHOUT MY Buddy
For this new chapter, RedLynx and Ubisoft have considerably accentuated the community aspect already well underway with previous games. Scoring being already very present within the software, it seemed essential to be able to exploit all its facets: this thus results in a major reinforcement of the multiplayer, and this from several angles. First of all, it is now possible to compare its results, downloading ghosts included, with those of players… from all other platforms. Thus, the PS4, Xbox One, Switch and PC can interact directly and it goes without saying that this is a great step forward in the unification of consoles. Unfortunately, this feature is not valid for pure and hard multiplayer, which remains confined to each of the platforms, but which has however been reinforced on many points. It is now possible to race on any circuit, each seeing itself appear on the screen of the other in the form of a translucent ghost. In addition, other more traditional tracks and entirely dedicated to multiplayer allow you to compete against other pilots alongside each other. A little treat of intensity that has already proven itself in the previous Trials, but this time with more circuits, better thought out. Finally, Rising even includes a local cooperative mode, where two players ride the same bike, the latter advancing by averaging the controls of each of the pilots and therefore requesting the best possible synchronization. Truly appreciable.
NEW LOOK FOR A NEW RIDE
If you could already customize your man in Trials Fusion, Rising sets the bar much higher this time with a customization that concerns both the avatar but also the different motorcycles that can be acquired – five in total including one bike, each with its own capacities. RedLynx has not gone too far with tons of items to unlock or buy thanks to a new currency system and many settings options. Thus, it is now entirely possible to build vehicles in its image and to dress our driver as we see fit and, if we allow the necessary time, to make real stylized models. However, where the rub is that RedLynx and Ubisoft have opted for very fashionable … and relatively annoying economic routes. These, fortunately only concerning cosmetic elements, clearly encourage you to spend money – real ones, of course – to obtain the interesting bonuses. Likewise, the ubiquitous system of lootboxes, which require an internet connection to even open, doesn't make it easy to unlock items naturally. It's a shame because the customization, rich and well done, is thus drastically limited if we are not ready to get our hands on the wallet. That said, given the minimal price of the game of only € 24,99, we understand the desire of the French publisher to want to make the project profitable by other means, in the era of time and which will certainly be revenue.
On our side, we still have a little trouble adhering to the concept and we would have preferred to buy a more expensive game… but more complete.
MAKE THE PLEASURE LAST
It nevertheless seems fair to underline the extraordinary content of the game precisely offered for this derisory sum: to complete the campaign - that is to say to win the final competition by winning the nine others - will easily require twenty-five hours at least, if not more, as long as you are armed with patience and concrete skills. Add to that a monstrously complete level editor including the assets of all the previous Trials – the developers had even admitted to having created the game entirely in this same mode – with the possibility, likewise, of sharing its circuits with people of all horizons (regardless of the machine) and you simply get one of the best value for money of the generation. In the end, we just regret that Trials Rising is not more refined graphically because, even if the artistic direction is very appreciable, the title is far from being particularly impressive, especially since it suffers from many slowdowns despite the 60FPS advertisement. On the soundtrack side, the platform game does not always do well: as much as the titles independently prove to be very good in their field - rock, metal, rap and drum & bass - with several well-founded great classics, as much the weariness quickly points the tip of his nose because of a much too restricted playlist with the same songs that turn in loop. It's a bit of a shame, but we'll be satisfied with it anyway and, let's not be bad language, Trials Rising has clearly reached a new qualitative level in the series.
