Can the game live up to its hefty billing: a cross between Little Big Planet and Mario Kart?  It’s early days yet, but read on for Kamiza’s thoughts on the story so far.

The game falls under the banner of Sony’s Play, Create, Share mantra which was so expertly realised with Little Big Planet.  For the uninitiated, this is basically a system whereby players can generate game content themselves and make it available for other players connected to the PSN to further enhance their experience with the game. The way this is implimented in Modnation Racers is through the ability to create your own character, karts and tracks.

Before I go into any real analysis of the game, it is important to understand that this is an unfinished beta version, and as such the game can change significantly between now and release.

Modnation Racers is a cartoony kart racing game with an emphasis on fun.  When loading up the beta we are introduced to the world of the MRC (Modnation Racing Championship) by a couple of TV commentators who fill in the back story of the game with some amusing chat. We then appear in a generic kart at the Modspot - an area that resembles something like the “backstage” area of an F1 meeting. The Modspot serves as a kind of lobby area where you can whizz around in your kart, meet other racers online and share your own created content.

One of my creations - The Stig - checking out the Modspot

I really can’t emphasise enough just how good this system is. For one, it’s a big, wide open area where you can practice your drifting and powerslides (important in the actual gameplay). But you can also drive up to any online player and with one or two button presses you can challenge them to a race, start a chat or download any of the published creations. This area also shows the top rated Karts, Tracks and Characters at the time, also making them easily downloadable.

So where do all these downloadble goodies come from? Why, the Creation Station of course. In this area you can generate and customize your own content using preset building blocks. In the beta version there is a relatively tiny amount available to use, but there is still a staggering amount of unique content available. You create your character in a similar fashion to Sackboy’s customization in Little Big Planet. You chose skin colour, stickers, facial features, clothes, accessories and also voice style.

The Karts are just as flexible with the design. There are many body styles to choose from as well as engine types, suspension, wheels etc. I’m not sure if any of these actually effect the performance of your vehicle though, as one of my creations; The Stigmobile, is powered by a Hamster in a wheel (Top Gear Fans will appreciate that) and still puts in a good race.

Hamster in the back as usual

The track creation tool is quite simply a piece of small genius. As it currently stands, it is insanely easy to create amazing tracks in just minutes. You drive what can only be described as a piece of farm machinery around a blank piece of terrain which automatically lays the track as you go. The right stick controls the height of the track, so you can lay steep, towering inclines followed by a plummeting helterskelter which tunnels under the track you’ve already laid.

There is a limited length available, but its more than enough to build a decent track. Any mistakes can be easily fixed with a hit of the reverse button (L2) to rewind, erasing some of the track. If you get bored half way through (you won’t) you can hit the triangle button and the track will automatically finish itself off. It really is quite special.

Once you’ve created your masterpiece, it can be published to the world in just a few button presses. Anyone can then download and race around your creation. In fact, I took some time to put together some Newb Review creations, so feel free to take a look and download them.

Newb Review branded clothing - coming to a clothing outlet near you!

So once you’ve put it all together, I suppose you want to actually race huh?  Well, the gameplay is solid and those familiar with Kart racers will have no problem getting to grips with the racing. A central aspect to the race is drift. Drifting (or powerslide) fills the power meter, which then unlocks turbo boost, shield and sideswipe abilities to help take out surrounding racers. Weapons also drop throughout the game; each with three power levels. To increase the potency of a weapon you collect several powerups. The high-end weapons can be quite devastating and fun.

Of course this is just a beta, so as I’ve already said, a lot can change between now and release. The current code isn’t without its problems. I’ve noticed times on created tracks where the road doesn’t quite join up the way it should, so you can get stuck on the join if you’re not paying attention. Also the loading times are quite bad at the moment and at times have even caused my PS3 to lock up.

Steve loved the pimp job on his Cadillac

These are the sort of problems you expect in beta games though and if United Front Games continue the stellar work they’ve done so far, this will be eliminated before release. Overall I am really impressed. This could well be a launch day purchase for me.

If you’re in the beta and are interested in getting a few races or want to download my created content (The Stig or Newb Review stuff) feel free to add me – kamiza989