> Red Bull X-Fighters
For: Xbox 360 (via Xbox Live Arcade), Windows PC, PS3/PSP (via PSN Minis).
From: Xendex/Konami.
Rating: Everyone (mild language, mild violence).
Price: $US10.
It's hard to describe Red Bull X-Fighters without blowing a kiss over to Trials HD, because much of what RBXF does was done two years ago in Trials.
It's a motorcycle game. Events mix stunt challenges and time trials, and even the design and semi-diagonal camera perspective are more than a little familiar.
Fortunately, while RBXF isn't fresh, it at least copies the idea competently. The bike physics are believable without being as unforgiving as they were in Trials, and the controls are a textbook case of easy to learn and tough to master.
Basic riding and trick execution is elementary, but popping subtle wheelies for speed boosts and expertly timing an advanced trick that requires some seriously awkward simultaneous button presses (RT+RB+LT+Y+B) is anything but simple.
RBXF's bigger problem is content: There's no multiplayer, nor is leaderboard integration anywhere near as polished as it was in Trials.
There are fewer events and less variety to them as well.
Trying to achieve gold trophy scores in every event is a beastly challenge that will keep the right kind of player busy for a good while, but those happy to just settle for bronze and go home can feasibly see all of RBXF's tracks and events in a few hours.
