Remember those "target" videos at E3 last year, where you saw all these amazing videos that were "supposed" to be what the actual game would look like. Yeah, everyone knew Sony was fibbing on those, and one such lie was MotorStorm with its groundbreaking visuals and realistic mud slinging. Though the game so far isn't looking like that video based on the preview, it still has enough merits where it shouldn't have had to rely on those false images.

MotorStorm is all about one thing – driving as fast as you can on various off-road tracks scattered around the world. Though the E3 video showcased lots of mud, what is really prevalent so far is dirt, which kicks up in the air in a realistic fashion after large vehicular mash-ups or crashing into a rock wall, plus once you go into a first person view mode, the dirt and grime sticks to your windows for a bit of time before going away. There is so much dirt in the game, you'd best get your mixed tape ready with all your favorite dirty songs – "Dirty" by Christina Aguiliera, "Ridin'" by Chamillionaire in which he rides dirty, or heck, maybe an album by The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Either way, there is a lot of dirt in the game.

Now a particle cloud of dirt kicking up wouldn't be anything worthwhile at all if it didn't look good, and one thing the game does really well is look good. Dust kicks up in a realistic fashion; the lighting is spot on with the blaring sun really illuminating the desert skyline; cars bursting into flames after a crash and sending debris scattering; environments that look like picturesque postcards taken from a family trip to the Grand Canyon; and the vehicles are sharp in design, and after pausing the game and swerving the camera around, details like the spokes and ridges of a set of off-road wheels and the shocks and springs underneath come to life and show off the level of detail into making this one nice looking PS3 game.

There are several vehicles that will be available for you in the final version, which include off-road trucks, dirt bikes, buggies, and NASCAR looking dirt road racers. However, though you get a taste of each one in the preview, only the dirt bikes and trucks make an appearance, and thankfully they each control differently to accurately represent their vehicle. For example, you can make tighter turns with the bike, but if you floor it too soon with your front wheel not exactly pointing straight, more than likely you'll skid, lose traction, and find yourself having to recover (like in real life). As for the trucks, they're masses of bulk that like to flaunt their superiority and strength by slamming into anything, never missing a step as they race to the finish, as their weight help to keep them more steady and attached to the ground, while a bike could go squirrelly at any minute by hitting one rock too large.

The game features your usual racing features, such as different views (the in-truck camera looks especially nice), your gas and brake pedals, etc. One thing the game incorporates, solidifying it as a purely arcade racer rather than a sim of any sorts, is the boost meter that kicks into play after the first ten seconds of a race. Unlike other racers that use the boost feature, MotorStorm uses it in a new and unique way. Instead of getting one boost for every lap or building it up over time or after passing checkpoints, instead, for MotorStorm it is always available for use (except those initial ten seconds). So what keeps you from using boost from beginning to end? Good question astute readers. As you use boost, a meter will read how hot you are running, going from the "in the clear" white to the "warning" yellow to the "what the heck are you still running in boost for" darker colors which tell you that, if you don't slow down, prepare to explode. After using boost, the meter will automatically start to slowly decline in temperature, which means that you'll be safer to use it again whenever you next wish. The risk versus reward system for using boosts is an interesting game mechanic that makes many races last second wins.

The other racers aren't quite brilliant navigators, as they like to crash a bunch and often make for only average competition, but they do a good job of keeping you on your toes for many of the matches. Of course, not every race is a close one, as you can even win a few without ever using your boost if you don't crash any and don't make any stupid mistakes. Overall, their brashness and bashing makes for some really fun racing time.

The sound work is also well represented in the game, ranging from the throttling of your engines to the fiery explosions of a underdeveloped racing path that led you straight off an open cliff rather than speeding around the turn as you intended. The game is also heavy on the music, with rocking tracks that are sure to keep the ears throbbing (in a good way) while the heart beats fast and steady with nervous anticipation of who is coming up on you.

So in the end, though the game has so far failed to live up to the "target videos" of E3 last year, so has every other game for that matter. However, MotorStorm shouldn't have needed those false advertisements for it, as the game is quite good looking and fun to begin with. Be sure to place MotorStorm on your radar.