You keep telling yourself it's only a game. Leaping across a jagged gap, landing comfortably on a downward slant and revving away in pole position, you're calm, composed, confident of victory. And then suddenly an over-flying eiloe bike catches your rider's head. CRACK! You're sent tumbling across the rocky terrain. First place becomes eighth place in a flash. You scream. Your gamepad is flung into the nearest wall. Broken plastic flies everywhere. And it's only a game, you say...

MX Unleashed is a compelling little two-wheeled sim. Like all good racers, you'll keep on trying and trying until you've creamed the opposition and soared triumphantly over the finish line. Not that it's anything like a speedy punt in a Lamborghini, mind. Here, you'll spend as much time in the air as you do on the ground.

It's all about rhythm, see. Pulling back on the suspension and getting the required amount of lift-off, ensuring that you land on the right side of a hill to maintain your speed, and shoving in a few tricks to the appreciative whoops from impressionable crowds. There are many other elements to consider too - leaning your rider, accelerating off the curves of bends and stocking up on the witch hazel to soothe a bruised botty. It's a hard knock life this motocross lark, y'know.

MX's main quest involves haring up the ranking ladder by winning tournaments. However, some of the action seems marred by karting-like randomness. You can squeal into a bend in last place, and come out of it holding first. Until you've mastered the controls, final positions are more dependent on where the race ends rather than any actual biking ability (to begin with, anyway). And there's nothing more frustrating than being pole-axed by an over-eager contender during a final lap. Cheating swines!

So there you have it. Admittedly, it's hard getting excited about a new motocross game. The genre's been done to death, and the games often appear limited by their own subject matter. Still, MX Unleashed is probably just about the best of an uninspiring bunch. The physics are staggeringly convincing and the gameplay addictive. If you can overlook the paltry multiplayer and enjoy racing with a bit of extreme sports flung in, then this should be worth the dosh. Just try not to throw the gamepad too much, eh?

1. Impressive physics
2. Bikes handle well
3. Boasts that 'one-more-go' factor

1. Finishing positions seem random
2. Can be very frustrating

Power
Impressive physics. The bikes bounce and leap across the tracks with incredible realism.

Style
Looks pretty much the same as any motocross game that has gone before.

Immersion
It's easy to pick up, but there's lots to master, and can be very tricky at first.

Lifespan
Tons of tournaments to enter but unless you're a bike nut, your interest will wane.

Summary
A very solid and enjoyable, if unspectacular, motocross racer. It's all been done before, but this is one of the best around.