Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX Review

Pay attention to the interesting novelty - the ruler that appears on right-hand side showing height or distance while performing grinding, or airborne.

The game features three modes of play: ProQuest, Session and Freeride. The first one is the most interesting one, as it sticks to the Pro Skater concept - 6 competition and 6 objective-based levels are available. This running-around-level-searching-for-objectives play is both interesting and useful, because each successfully completed objective unlocks a new level, new style, or a new bike. Just like in Tony Hawk's, the challenges come down to achieving a certain score by performing tricks on a designated place, or grinding certain objects. The three levels of difficulty provide a well-balanced game in this respect. Completing the amateur challenges is easy, and then you get to the pro quests where you'll just have to try a bit harder, and finally reach some hardcore exhibitionism. The remaining two modes were unable to hold my attention. It seems as though they were implemented only to make the game have at least three modes. Session will let you bike for a single session, and freeride is good for practice, as there are no time limits.

The worst thing is that during the entire game you won't see another living being, that is another driver. The audience appearing on some levels will be the only indicator that you actually are on planet Earth, and that you're not the sole survivor of some nuclear cataclysm that mutated you into a bike-driving zombie. You can only imagine how interesting it could have been if there were other bikers, or if the game featured a racing mode like motocross madness. As it stands, Freestyle BMX seems to lack something, especially as there is no multiplayer support, even though the PSX original featured it (Wow, that's weird - Ed).

Just like all other extreme sports games, this one is worth having because of the soundtrack. Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX uses mostly punk/HC sound, as could be seen from the list of performers (spot the intruder): Sublime, Rancid, Social Distortion, Deftones, Primer, Pennywise, Dropkick Murphys, 59 Times the Pain, Swingin' Utters, Cypress Hill...

That's about it... I really have nothing more to add on this game. I found it modestly fun because I'm a fan of extreme sports games, but it sure as hell doesn't live up to the hyped-up ad. campaign phrases, like that: "Memorial Day America is Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX!"

Not!