MX vs ATV: Reflex is probably the closest the 360 is going to come to having a game that can compete with the PS3’s MotorStorm series. The fact that we can utter the MX name in the same sentence as the PS3-exclusive racer will give you some indication of how far the series has come from its mediocre beginnings, but not everything comes together as well as it should. This is still by far the best that the off-road racer has ever been, and despite some interesting tech, improved physics and a beefed-up graphics engine, Reflex manages to fall a hair’s breadth short of giving a triple-A experience.

What has improved for the better are the visuals; here the huge mountainous terrain and differing surface soil really make a difference. The massive open maps are at first impressive but quickly end up feeling sparse and barren, with repeated textures and foliage ultimately ruining the illusion. The terrain deformation, clearly the game’s biggest selling point, works amazingly well… perhaps too well.

No sooner do you jump on a bike than a rather large muddy hole will send you flying off in all manner of directions. In an attempt to offer the thrills and spills of real-life motocross, Reflex comes away feeling less realistic as the physics more often than not will work against you. It’s especially irritating when a truck in the omni-cross class simply drives over you and your bike.

Reflex offers a huge range of races and events, showcasing a large variety of environments and vehicles with some heavy customisation. Performing tricks on the bikes is intuitive, with a simple hold of the left bumper and twirling the right stick. This lacks the depth and precision to perform moves consistently but less of the game requires that you do so anyway. Reflex marks an improvement across the board for the MX vs ATV series, but within all the refined features and technology are a whole bunch of new problems. It doesn’t stop it being incredible fun for short bursts, but this is a series that needs a bit more polish if it’s become the game it wants to be.