Overview – developed by Third Kind Games and published by Cascade Interactive, MAVRIX by Matt Jones is an online mountain bike game, where players from aroundthe world can carve lines across an open world. Take on the world across the various trails, riding down mountains, through forests and across constructed bike parks. This title is currently on Steam and Epic games, available as an early access title, with links the each version at the bottom of the review.
Disclaimer: before I get into the content, I would like to thank the rep for Cascade Interactive who provided the copy of MAVRIX by Matt Jones used for this review, via the Keymailer service. The provision of this software has not influenced the contents of this piece, all thoughts and opinions contained within are my own.
Now with the introductions out of the way, let’s get started. As this game is in early access, I will not be doing a traditional review with a score, but I will be approaching it like any other game. There is no real story for this game, so I will be going straight into the gameplay. I will also be referring to the game as simply MAVRIX for the sake of brevity.
Gameplay – MAVRIX is an open world, massive multiplayer mountain biking game, in the vein of games like Riders Republic and others in the extreme sports genre. In this, the player takes the role of a new biker who has entered the MAVRIX MTB park. This verdant playground is filled with dirt paths, constructed ramps and rolling hills to explore. All starting from the central loading point of the players Van, serving as the start point.
From here the player can explore the world of MAVRIX, using a fairly unique control method where the player controls the bike and rider’s body separately. Using a Twin-Stick control system, the player will be able to move the handlebars, while shifting the weight of the rider. These mechanics allow the player to experience an immersive riding experience, while giving greater control over the riding experience at high speeds.
These controls also allow players to be more creative while riding, performing tricks like wheelies and even full flips, using both control sticks to balance movement. Alongside these special dual analogue controls, there are also independent brake levers, using the triggers offering front and back brake control. These controls combine with the physics engine, allowing the bikes to react as realistically as possible while hitting the trails.
There is an emphasis with exploration in this release, which is an unfortunate detriment to the game. As there is a large open area to explore, there will be chairlifts to reach set summit points. These cannot be fast travelled to currently, with the only way to reach them being manually. This also applies to the trails themselves that the players ride, which are hidden throughout the map, shown through signs that can be hard to see while riding.
When a trail is located, the challenge for it will be initiated. To complete the rail, the player must ride along the paths, ramps and jumps to pass each checkpoint. If the player leaves the trail, the will get a failure and need to start again, returning to a checkpoint. The checkpoint reset will also occur if the player wipes out, causing progress to be lost. If the player can successfully clear the trail they are riding, races are unlocked with times going onto the rankings.
The world of MAVRIX is split into multiple sub regions, each with their own unique traits and challenges. They each have their own chairlifts, which are locked by default. To open up a lift, the player will need complete the trails within that region, with the different points requiring their own number of trail clears. This does give the game some progression that can be seen on the map, but there are additional objectives that can be completed.
At the Van, there are challenges that can completed to gain sponsorships, which will provide the player with special unlocks and currency. Speaking of currency, there is a customisation shop, which will allow the player to buy new bike styles, clothing and components using coins. These are earned by completing challenges, trails and more, but there is also the option for in game purchases for game content for those who want to play.
The last thing to discuss is the connectivity. As an online multiplayer game, the game is reliant on servers to play, with the ability to perform dedicated matchmaking, or join a player in game. Due to this, there will be other players in the world, these players are like phantoms, with no interactions or collisions between riders. On the map, the different players will show up as icons, showing where they are riding and they will appear on rankings, but little else currently.
Now with the gameplay covered, it is time to move onto the other aspects of this title, starting with the controls.
Controls – MAVRIX uses a control scheme that is reminiscent of games like Skate, where both Sticks are used for full control of the bike and rider. This is unique as it does make for some interesting physics, but can be a little awkward to get used to. The braking and peddling are on the shoulders/triggers, with the reverse on the face buttons. This does take a little getting used to, but with some patience it can be adapted to and does work well.
Difficulty – there isn’t much in terms of traditional difficulty, with the real challenge being navigating the world, which unfortunately feels empty. There is a distinct lack of markers, with players needing to find the trails themselves. As a side effect of this exploration, there is some frustration when it comes to finding the trails. Sadly this lack of a real challenge can make the game feel boring, so hopefully more will be added later.
Presentation – visually, the game looks decent on medium to high settings, offering some very pleasant vistas and landscapes. All of the assets worked well, although there was the occasional visual bug. There is a first person view, but it is possible to get motion sickness from this. The sound for the game is decent, with solid effects accompanied by three radios, playing a library of licensed music and one with some voice bites added.
Final Thoughts – As MAVRIX is an early access game, it is not the final product so my experience may not match the final vision. I had a relatively fun time with the game, although it does feel sparse and a little lifeless with the open world. There is enough to do for now, but once you find the trails and unlock all the cosmetics, there feels like that’s all of the game. The rankings/time attack for the trails do help, but I feel the game needs more content than there is.
I did enjoy the soundtrack, the physics for flips and the sensation of speed that is present. Riding the open spaces and down the hills in first person was cool, but it was disorienting when doing tricks. In general the experience is pleasant, with some good fun to have, especially with friends riding the trails together. I also very much enjoyed the radios for the game. However, I am unsure if I can recommend this game as it still very much in active development.
In the end, I am unable to give MAVRIX by Matt Jones a score, due to the game still being in early access development. This is a fairly enjoyable and fun game, with a lot of content to discover, but sadly the world itself feels a little barren and lifeless. There is some promise for this title, as it has the potential to be a fantastic and unique mountain biking experience, it just needs more polish. If you want to check it out for yourself, links to the game will be below.
Link to Steam version (HERE)
Link to EPIC version (HERE)
W.Kohaku Media 