TrackMania 2 Valley Demo

Sometimes, going fast is not enough to fulfill one’s desire for speed and adrenaline, especially in video games. Since the only possible consequence is a botched lap time, there’s no reason to keep the pedal from brushing against the floor, or to watch out for possible car damage while you’re at it. Hence, arcade racing games are all about fun and speed, with everything else toned down as much as possible.

TrackMania 2 Valley is yet another entry in the insanely popular arcade racing series, and it brings a wide assortment of improvements on the original formula, while keeping the essential elements largely unchanged. Thus, better graphics, more accurate controls, and a different setting lie waiting for you, but the experience should feel very familiar to the fans of the franchise.

The tracks are obviously the most important part of the game, since they represent both the fun and the challenging aspects of the races. Ramps, impossible jumps and the usual seizure-inducing level design are part of the experience this time around as well, coupled with a bouquet of motion blur and depth of field to make certain moments stand out.

The other crucial element that’s usually part of a race is the selection of vehicles, although a bit less so in this case. Cars are only marginally important in TrackMania, because you do not really get to admire them as you dash through dark tunnels or spin above the ground. Hence, while they are pretty detailed and quite well designed, not an awful lot of emphasis is put on them.

From a technical point of view, the game shines in every regard, with an emphasis on graphics and special effects. Fantastic lighting effects make each track stand out in a certain way, while the high-resolution textures make sure that everything looks sharp and pretty. The soundtrack is pumped and energetic, with a great selection of tunes to keep you company through the valley.

All things considered, TrackMania 2 Valley is a step up for the entire franchise, even if quite little has changed in certain regards. In fact, the game is mostly the same from a gameplay point of view, only with new tracks, new cars, and heavily improved visuals.