TITLE: Modnation Racers
PLATFORM: PS3, PSP
DEVELOPERS: United Front Games, SCE San Diego Studio
PUBLISHER: Sony Computer Entertainment
ESRB: E
RELEASED: May 25

Wow. Okay…hang on a sec. After a few rounds of Modnation Racers, I think I might be color blind. Think I’m kidding? There’s actually a warning before the intro, telling people prone to epileptic seizures to be mindful when playing. Combine that with the tiny white text placed on bright-colored backgrounds in between gameplay sequences, and this game will irradiate your eyeballs.

But if you can get past that (maybe wear some sunglasses?) it’s actually a pretty cool game.

Modnation Racers is more or less exactly what it sounds like: A kart racing game featuring colorful characters and cartoony action. The most obvious comparison to be made here is to the Super Mario Kart games. And from a gameplay stand point, the Modnation and Mario Kart are indeed cut from the same cloth.

Thankfully, Modnation is able to establish an identity all its own by allowing the player an unprecedented and unparalleled number of creative possibilities. Players can create their own characters, their own race cars, and even their own race tracks. The longer you play the game, the more doors and possibilities open up. It’s almost overwhelming to have to much freedom.

Image from playstationlifestyle.net.

The player takes the role of Tag, a graffiti artist and wannabe racer who ends up in the big leagues, and has to take on the best of the best. Though Tag starts off with a specific car, costume and body, he can be changed on a whim throughout the game. Just look at the characters on the box. Look at all their different skin colors, costumes and cars. THOSE are the kind of options you have to work with.

The game also has infinite replay potential. Whether you want to throw your own customized racer in against your buddies, or hop online and compete with some teenager from Arizona, if you’re into this game, chances are you’ll be happy for a long, LONG time.

The actual racing mechanics have their ups and downs. In my experience, if you’ve played one racing game, you’ve (to an extent) played them all. So in that sense, the controls were easy to pick up. I found the steering to be a little wild, but that may have been my relative inexperience with racing games in effect. Also, I found the power up/weapons/shield system hard to get used to. Similar to Mario Kart, the race tracks are all littered with power ups. Each power up grants Tag more energy, which he can use to power the numerous features on his cart. But again, that might simply be a matter of putting more time into the game.

Image from gamerfaqs.com.

In all honesty, the biggest problem I have with Modnation is the color scheme for the menus in between gameplay. They’re an eyesore. As I type this, it’s been over an hour since I shut the game off, and I’ve still got traces of a headache. When the inevitable sequel comes around, the folks at United Front seriously need to chillax on all the loud colors.

But despite the fact that my family’s black cat now appears to be yellow with pink polkadots, Modnation Racers is a fun experience for gamers, particularly those that love to customize their avatars for a more personalized experience.

RATING: 9/10

Front page image from thegameraccess.com.