The Trials series of games has long been a personal favourite of mine. A fantastic mashup of physics and ingenious, and sometimes sadistic level design. Its hook of having just one more go at beating your time meant hours of fun. It’s odd, then, to see this successful formula (somewhat) tossed out the window for a tie in with the Far Cry series of games, specifically Blood Dragon.
Whilst you still get to ride a motorcycle other gimmicks have been thrown into the mix. It’s almost like the developers at Red Lynx saw some of the rather clever things the community was making in their own level designer and figured they’d test the water with a Trials game that wasn’t quite Trials. In Trials of the Blood Dragon, you alternate between playing as the two offspring of Blood Dragon’s protagonist Rex “Power” Colt. It is revealed that he has been presumed dead whilst trying to win Vietnam War 4 by himself. They’ve both been augmented to become cyber commandos and enlisted to fight the Communist threat. Hopefully completing what their dad set out to do. Or at least that’s how the game starts.
As you progress you find out that there’s more than just the Communist threat to be worried about. Taking place over twenty-seven levels the main campaign is rather brief. For the Trials veteran, even with the gimmicks, the game can be completed in around four hours. Many levels are bundled together into one mission and in this rendition, you’re not just limited to riding your motorcycle. Our protagonists, Slayter and Roxanne, are able to dismount and it’s here that the game begins to take a turn for the worse.
As you progress you find out that there’s more than just the Communist threat to be worried about. Taking place over twenty-seven levels the main campaign is rather brief. For the Trials veteran, even with the gimmicks, the game can be completed in around four hours. Many levels are bundled together into one mission and in this rendition, you’re not just limited to riding your motorcycle. Our protagonists, Slayter and Roxanne, are able to dismount and it’s here that the game begins to take a turn for the worse.
The controls translate rather well, accelerate becomes jump, brake duck and shooting is directionally controlled by the right stick. However, they become a frustration if you’re trying to get top marks for each level. One errant bullet from an opponent counts as a fall and so chances of getting that A+ mark diminishes. Trials’ focus on clean runs and quick times is still maintained but the controls aren’t as accurate off the bike. Later levels involving the jetpack and an attached bomb become an exercise in self-control as you constantly battle the physics.
Not all of the gimmicks fall flat, however. Some of the traditional ride levels are augmented with shooting environmental elements to progress. There’s also the addition of a grappling hook which when employed properly opens up new areas of certain levels and you can really progress quickly if you nail it. We even have two new vehicles to ride in the form of an Indiana Jones inspired mine cart and a six-wheeled tank made for destruction. Both require a different sort of finessing to the motorcycle, especially with the mine cart. All the weight is to the rear so maintaining momentum over jumps without crashing is a tricky task. In comparison, the tank just ploughs through everything but has slightly spongy suspension which can slow you down if you hit a bump at the wrong time or angle.
Away from the actual gameplay and one thing that hits you hard is the heavy American based patriotism. I get that it’s trying hard be satirical but the jokes rarely hit their mark. The humour is brash but so over the top that you just roll your eyes. If you’re a child of the 80s or 90s there are plenty of references for you to spot here from Doom, Starship Troopers, Indiana Jones and even the odd TV show like Saved by the Bell and the Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers. The nostalgia it invokes is rather nice even if one cringes at some of the memories (I’m looking at you, Zack Morris!).
The story is told mostly by nicely animated cut scenes. Despite some of the heavy patriotism, the script isn’t that bad. During many of the levels, the twins employ some entertaining banter and regularly take jabs at each other’s ability. They’re fun to be around and are one of the few highlights of the game. However, when you realise you’re playing a Trials game it’s also kind of sad. The soundtrack is a suitably heavy mix of the 80s power ballads and hair rock. So much so that one can almost visualise the hairstyles. If there’s one thing Red Lynx did get right in Trials of the Blood Dragon, it was the aesthetics. They capture the vibe and the silliness beautifully. It’s just a shame they decided that they wanted to shove so much heavy-handed patriotism in there.
As mentioned, Trials of the Blood Dragon is rather on the short side in terms of game time. With the way things are constructed, in addition to the lack of a level editor, you probably won’t find yourself called back to each level to try and beat your score. Sure there are collectables to be had and a secret case to be unlocked but realistically it’s unlikely you’ll want to put yourself through the game again just to get them.
The step away from the usual Trials formula is as hit and miss as you’d expect. Some things work while others do not but thankfully the clever level design is its saving grace. Whilst many Trials fans would rather have had a full blown Trials game, Trials of the Blood Dragon should be seen as a Red Lynx experimental album. It’s a chance for the team to stretch their creative legs and try out a few things that have likely adorned the cutting room floor in the past but thanks to the nature of the tie-in with Far Cry have now found a home. Whilst the Trials franchise won’t walk away from this unharmed there’s enough here to make you want another Trials experience. I suppose if that was the overarching drive behind its release then it has succeeded. Otherwise, it’s a game both series could have done without.
