Trials HD takes series to "next dimension"

By Robert Purchese Published 24 June, 2009

XBLA date narrowed to late July.

RedLynx creative director Antti Ilvessuo reckons Trials HD will take the stunt-bike series to "the next dimension" when released on Xbox Live Arcade towards the end of July.

"The exact launch date of Trials HD hasn't been set but, being part of Summer of Arcade, it will be between mid-July and August," Ilvessuo told Eurogamer. "The price has not been set, either, but will follow the pricing of other [XBLA] games.

"But Trials HD is a really big package! Compared to Trials 2, everything has been taken to next dimension. There's a completely new game mode (skill games) and a level editor for creating and sharing tracks, which is exactly the same level editor we used - so we expect fantastic tracks to be created by players!"

Trials HD will also be nicer to newcomers. Ilvessuo explained that there will be an assortment of forgiving beginner bikes to choose from, and a selection of quick-play, beginner tracks to ride them on.

Conversely, those familiar with Trials - "the really skilled players" - will be given plenty of hardcore and infernal (the top tier) tracks, according to Ilvessuo - plus an array of bikes to master.

In addition, Trials HD has mini-games; "really wild", "crazy" and "over-the-top" mini-games, said Ilvessuo. "For example, one mini-game you have to haul a huge bomb as far as you can in one minute. Get hit too many times and bang!" he cackled.

The all-important scoreboards have become more all-important as well. Trials HD displays friends' times during the particular courses, so riders can see them as they leap through tires, up walls and through the air. Ilvessuo reckons this innovation ups the already intense competition even further.

"When this feature was implemented, all of us started hunting each other's Gamertags and it was a totally different and very competitive game after that," he said.

Trials HD will offer a trial version for those unsure, and one day might even span WiiWare and PlayStation Network.

"Let's see what the future brings," Ilvessuo added, "but we're very happy with Xbox 360 at the moment."

And, while RedLynx made its name through the success of Trials, Ilvessuo was keen to point out that the studio has plenty of ideas for other game styles.

"We have cool ideas and ambitious people. Let's hope we can create game that people want to play," he said.

RedLynx Trials 2: Second Edition launched last year and finished highly (at 21) in our top 50 games of 2008 list. Our RedLynx Trials 2: Second Edition review tells all.

Alternatively, head to the RedLynx Trials 2 website to try it for yourself.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (19) Latest comment 3 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • NoQuarter #1 3 years ago

    I love Trials. Can't wait for this.

  • miiiguel #2 3 years ago

    I'm using XBLA more and more. Been playing PSII for two weeks now, and I bought Sam & Max; Comix Zone; Wallace..., times are indeed changing.

  • riz23 #3 3 years ago

    RedLynx are great devs. I'm up for this at the right price

  • ReNo #4 3 years ago

    100% guaranteed buy for me. I sank a whole load of time into trials 2 and always played with the 360 pad plugged in, so this is a complete no brainer. Even if this was a straight up port I'd probably have gone for it, but as a full on sequel by the looks of it? Oh yes!

  • Monkey_Puncher #5 3 years ago

    I'm guessing it'll be 1200 points, a good price I'm guessing from what I've seen of the game.

  • JahB #6 3 years ago

    that's probably the first XBLA game where i don't even ask for the price, hell even if they want 1600 points i'll get this on day one.

  • asphaltcowboy #7 3 years ago

    Can't wait for this! Gonna be awesome!

    @JahB: Shh! Don't say that!

  • rhubarbandcustard #8 3 years ago

    I run this at 1920 res on the PC and it looks gorgeous.

    But it's hard. Punishingly hard.

    When I play this game I scream and blaspheme and curse and spit and...

    It's just really hard.

  • neonxaos #9 3 years ago

    "Trials HD displays friends' times during the particular courses, so riders can see them as they leap through tires, up walls and through the air."

    Finally, someone has been taking notes from Geometry Wars 2. Brilliant move.

    Also, this game is already so brilliant, so as long as it runs great, it will definitely be worth 1600 points. But if they release it at a lower price point, they may have a smash hit on their hands.

  • PiD #10 3 years ago

    This is the first XBLA game that i've actually been really excited about! I loved Trials 2 to death even though Tom did keep beating my times and mocking me :(

  • ANBA #11 3 years ago



    "Finally, someone has been taking notes from Geometry Wars 2. Brilliant move."

    We have also pre-race leaderboard so you can see friend/your scores before you start the track. Works pretty well too :)

    A / RL


  • Harmonica #12 3 years ago

    @ Jah B

    "that's probably the first XBLA game where i don't even ask for the price, hell even if they want 1600 points i'll get this on day one."

    Don't say that too loud, they might hear you!

  • YoshiMcTaggis #13 3 years ago

    "We have also pre-race leaderboard so you can see friend/your scores before you start the track. Works pretty well too :)

    A / RL"

    You one of the devs? Don't you DARE release this at any more than 1200 points, you bastard.
    Edited by 1 at 24/06/09 @ 15:57

  • superdelphinus #14 3 years ago

    Having read this I have no idea what Trials is. Brief synopsis anyone?

  • lemonfist #15 3 years ago

    It's a game where you ride a m0t0rbike in a 2D environment (with 3D graphics) and break every bone in your body every five seconds.
    Edited by 1 at 24/06/09 @ 19:19

  • fluff_the_tiger #16 3 years ago

    I love Trials! But looking at the e3 screenies I am concerned they might be spreading themselves a bit too thin with the ski -ing , ball riding, extreme sports thingy's . What made the original one of the best games ever was its purity.

    I prey I am wrong!

  • muscleblade #17 3 years ago

    @miiiguel

    Well. Those games arent exactly the best examples of great xbla games.

  • ANBA #18 3 years ago

    Fluff
    Well when we use physics as game main idea, making rider to ride inside the ball is just matter of placing object’s not actually coding new features.

    Also for example one skill game where we set rider on fire and you have to ride as long you can. Slower you go bigger the flames get. That also uses the features we had in game anyhow. So they are pretty solid and don’t thin the main game.

    They are more like advanced training grounds also. Since you are “forced” to ride different styles in those, so when you play skill games you get better and have fun at the same time.

    New screens also: [link url=http://www.eurogamer.net/gallery.php?game_id =11955&article_id=637015
    ]http://ww w.eurogamer.net/gallery.php?gam...[/link]
    A/RL

    Edited by 1 at 25/06/09 @ 09:53

  • muscleblade #19 3 years ago

    Really enjoying Rocket Riot these days. Any review soon EG?