Monster Energy Supercross 4 is the latest installment in the 'official' world of motocross video games that centers around flying through dirt and impending doom at 70 miles per hour! Developed by Milestone srl, of course, this whacky celebration of two-wheeled adrenaline junkies is back to tantalize your senses-if your senses are easily tantalized by graphics, physics, and, you guessed it, virtual dirt bikes. Now let's kick things into high gear and jump straight into the review, shall we? Just remember, no front flips unless you're ready for a crash!
Right off the bat, the gameplay in Monster Energy Supercross 4 is wild, yet oddly precise-kind of like trying to bake a soufflé while riding a rollercoaster. The controls are responsive, allowing you to steer your bike like it's an extension of your own body... if your body were made of metal and weighed several hundred pounds, that is. Whether you're cruising around dirt tracks or zipping through mud puddles, the physics are impressive. The game manages to capture the chaotic nature of motocross, pulling it off with an exhilarating spin (literally). The Career mode is where you'll be spending a lot of your time, playing through seasons and upgrading your rider's skills like a mad scientist tweaking a monster-albeit one that's quite fond of energy drinks. You can select from various bike tiers, gear them up like you're preparing for a celestial journey, and even customize your rider meticulously. Who knew a virtual dirt bike rider could take longer to customize than your friend's elaborate Dungeons & Dragons character? The game also boasts an online multiplayer mode just for those moments when you want to unleash rivalry on friends by one-upping their lap times while they bemoan their lack of sleeve tattoos and sponsorship deals. But be prepared for a slight learning curve. Many players mentioned that mastering the art of jump timing and cornering can feel like learning to balance on a unicycle while juggling flaming torches. Possible, sure; sensible? Duh, no. With 17 tracks to shred, the repetition creeps in a bit over time, which makes you wonder if you should pick up an actual dirt bike instead.
Visually, Monster Energy Supercross 4 is a feast, bringing the spirit of motocross-packed arenas right into your living room. The graphics have received a bump in quality, proving that Milestone srl decided to invest a little more time on the pixel-perfect details of dust clouds, bike glimmer, and rider animations. The game engine is built on Unreal Engine 4, and it shows-the backgrounds give a vibe of extreme sports posters that scream 'I live on the edge!' But let's be honest, at times, the cutscenes look like they were thrown together last minute at a pizza party. The environments are highly detailed, but some textures may not hold up, making you question what you're looking at-wait, is that a tire track or an abstract art piece? The menus are functional, but don't expect them to be the sleek, futuristic pagers of the latest tech. They're more like a worn-out leather jacket: full of character, just a bit rough around the edges.
Monster Energy Supercross 4 is not necessarily groundbreaking, but it's not a complete flop either. It serves up an adrenaline-pumping experience that dies down a bit for those craving depth in variety. The game excels in making you feel like a motocross badass-albeit a slightly confused one at times due to its learning curve. Except for a few hitches in graphics and somewhat repetitive gameplay, it makes for an enjoyable ride. Perfect for racers and wannabe daredevils alike, just remember: no matter how much digital energy drink you consume, gravity never takes a break. So pop your helmet on, rev up that engine, and prepare to shred some pixels on PS4. 'Monster Energy Supercross 4' is a solid entry into the series, and while it doesn't quite hit the nitro boost you'd dream of, it's still worth your time-7.5/10, go ride the chaos!