ModNation Racers General Discussion

[Loco311]

I posted this on the EU board, but its a little dead so its going in here as well. Whilst I realise that the game has erm, 'mixed reviews' having read that other thread I think some will be interested in this:

http://kotaku.com/5871960/lets-play-with-the-vitas-modnation-racers-road-trip

The video thumbs through the in game manual at the start and it shows the control layout. A few well timed pauses gives you a good read. Firstly, the controls appear to be to some extent customisable, oh and the defaults look horrible, but have a look for yourselves I'm not listing them all...

[WhiteF8ng]

Kudos for linking to the video. I subscribe to Kotaku's RSS Feed so I'd seen it already. Control scheme doesn't seem much different but I noticed the look back button is gone. I know many people are like "There was a look back button?" but I found that I use it a lot apparently. Much more than everyone else (i'm guessing its still a habit from MKW but its useful). Which may also be part of the reasoning for weapons that shoot in-front of racers. And the boost button is now square.

I also saw extended features on the accessories for the karts. I don't recall ever being able to change the transparency and such on a lollipop or flag or blower, etc...

[C_Wilson_24]

@ F8ng:  I'm interested to know how you look back without hitting anything.  I have to admit, I have never used it, but would like to learn of its not too hard. 

[WhiteF8ng]

If u haven't used it before its a bit rough to start using it. See, I played MKW (MarioKartWii) before MNR and looking behind u is a tactic to block weapons as well as see the positions of racers behind u. Since MNR has this progress bar AND a map (brilliant design for a kart racer. It was much needed.) it kinda makes the look back option not as necessary.

I use it on jumps to see opponents landing positions. I use it on Mt. Pain, coming out of the tunnel before the straight away with the "Big Daddy" barrels. If the race is close I'll use it at the end dash to the finish line it helps w/ boxing out the competition. I use it almost instinctively since I played MKW for so long. Also the track where u have to swipe Dolor in the village area I use to see the Big Daddies coming behind me. Mostly I use it to get a good look at a hydra coming up behind me. From what I see I can determine if I have to hold shield or use multiple blocks or if I shouldn't even bother trying to block it. It takes time to get used to so if u start doing it only do it on straightaways.

From racing the UFG tracks my race lines almost never change so I already know how far the next turn is and how long it should take for me to get there. If I think I may screw myself over I don't use it at all.. I also want to add I don't hold the thing down either. It's like ¼ sec to 1 sec of holding down triangle. AND probably the most important technique, I don't use my thumb to press it either. I slide my right index finger down from R1 and press triangle.

Ever get that top speed thing down Mr. Wilson?

[C_Wilson_24]

Thanks for the tips, Dennis.  I mean, F8ng.

Using the right index finger would be easy for me because I use that finger for weapons and shield.  So much easier.

Do you ever look back while drifting, or can you not see anything because your kart is turned?

If you look behind you at a Hydra and you are not in 1st, how do you tell which missiles are targeting you and which ones will pass you by?  I love questions.

As far as the top speed thing, I do feel it every once in awhile, sometimes right before the finish line in Farm Frenzy.  But I have found there are too many things to slow you down:  Coming out of your drift just briefly, slowing down to block certain weapons, executing double or triple drifts (I use +2 Handling), going over mandatory jumps, and the old fashioned way:  Hitting Walls!!

[AngelG_No55_FTW]

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C_Wilson_24 wrote:

As far as the top speed thing, I do feel it every once in awhile, sometimes right before the finish line in Farm Frenzy.  But I have found there are too many things to slow you down:  Coming out of your drift just briefly, slowing down to block certain weapons, executing double or triple drifts (I use +2 Handling), going over mandatory jumps, and the old fashioned way:  Hitting Walls!!

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Yes, as you've said, all those things take you out of top speed. As for how to reach it, it seems that boosting (whether you're snaking around or just straight) for 2-3 seconds then drifting one way will put you in max speed (I like to call that "Cruise Speed"). Look for the camera pulling out slightly then zooming in when you start a drift. Try it in these tracks:

Craggy Hills (after all the uphill hairpins; you'll know you were in cruise all the time when you can vault over the rock on the left with the red ramps that come after the top of the hill)

Farm Frenzy (exiting the shortcut; you can cruise until you retake the shortcut)

Sinkhole (landing from the first jump, doesn't even require much boost, just use it until you're drifting right)

Dragon City (after the final S; you can cruise until the large launcher jump)

Tourist Trap (boosting a bit after or before the green pad near the end of the track will put you in cruise until the dirt shortcut)

There are more tracks you can cruise on, these were just a few examples.

[Loco311]

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WhiteF8ng wrote:
Kudos for linking to the video. I subscribe to Kotaku's RSS Feed so I'd seen it already. Control scheme doesn't seem much different but I noticed the look back button is gone. I know many people are like "There was a look back button?" but I found that I use it a lot apparently. Much more than everyone else (i'm guessing its still a habit from MKW but its useful). Which may also be part of the reasoning for weapons that shoot in-front of racers. And the boost button is now square.

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I occasionally use look behind, mainly for dropping mines, One thing I'd noticed was the lack of a trigger (or whatever R1 does). Surely the lack of this feature means integration of existing creations flawed? Ideas on getting round this?

As for the customisation options, I think theres going to be presets rather than full custom options. I hope one of them matches the PS3 button for button (or as close as, just make triangle reverse) the controls are etched into my being now, I struggle with other cart racers thanks to modnation.

A minor note, I wish the D-pad could be used to spin in mid air, it would make spin and shield possible. Obviously used alongside the right stick, not instead of...

[Tecnoboy1]

Why don't they use the two bumpers as the accel/brake, BUT, use the rear toch as the boost & stuff, ie, each side is effectively the bumpers on the pS3 controller.