Downhill Domination is one of the most exhilarating extreme sport games I've ever played. What makes this game so fun to play lies in its strong fundamental gameplay systems. You need to constantly sprint whenever its possible, and this requires energy, which you can get by nailing tricks, damaging other riders through bike-on-bike combat, or getting energy powerups that are placed in the level. You have to properly time your jumps and set up your trajectory in order to get as much airtime for tricks as possible, but sometimes it might be better to get minimal airtime and save your tricks for another time. For the combat, you can upgrade your attacks by getting powerups, but if you fall off your bike for whatever reason, it'll revert back to a weaker attack. The powerups themselves are meticulously placed, and it requires accurate control of your bike, but it can also be stolen by other riders. All of this paints a picture of a game that rewards prior knowledge and experience, precise in-the-moment decision making, skillful play, and situational awareness.
All the game needs are solid levels to blast through, and this game certainly has lots of them. The variety of the level settings are simply impressive. You'll be going through dry desert canyons, urban inner city areas, mountain hot springs, snowy mining sites, and many more. The quality of these levels are consistently high too, especially the harder levels where the game gets more creative in its obstacle and terrain design. For example, using the steam of hot springs to limit your visibility, or having to deal with ladders in urban levels.
I also like the game's light-hearted personality. There's some silly elements in each level, like a polar bear that could maul you if you get too close, or the overly dramatized weather effects. It's good that the game doesn't try too hard to be comedic, which is a trap that has taken the lives of many of its peers.
If this game gets released today it would easily be the best extreme sport game since THPS 1+2. Which says a lot about the sad state of modern extreme sport games. At least this game has a lot of stuff to unlock and such, won't stop playing it for a while.
All the game needs are solid levels to blast through, and this game certainly has lots of them. The variety of the level settings are simply impressive. You'll be going through dry desert canyons, urban inner city areas, mountain hot springs, snowy mining sites, and many more. The quality of these levels are consistently high too, especially the harder levels where the game gets more creative in its obstacle and terrain design. For example, using the steam of hot springs to limit your visibility, or having to deal with ladders in urban levels.
I also like the game's light-hearted personality. There's some silly elements in each level, like a polar bear that could maul you if you get too close, or the overly dramatized weather effects. It's good that the game doesn't try too hard to be comedic, which is a trap that has taken the lives of many of its peers.
If this game gets released today it would easily be the best extreme sport game since THPS 1+2. Which says a lot about the sad state of modern extreme sport games. At least this game has a lot of stuff to unlock and such, won't stop playing it for a while.