Trials Fusion
A physics-based motorcycle platformer set in a futuristic 2042 world.
Trials Fusion is a platform racing game from Ubisoft RedLynx, developed with help from Ubisoft Shanghai and Ubisoft Kyiv. It is the fifth installment in the Trials series and marks the franchise's debut on a PlayStation platform. The game launched on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One in April 2014. A mobile companion title, Trials Frontier, was released for iOS and Android. By February 2015, the game had sold more than 1.7 million copies.
The gameplay follows the series' arcade-style take on observed trials, where players control a rider on a physics-based motorcycle through obstacle courses. Though the graphics are 3D, movement is restricted to a 2D plane, allowing only forward and backward motion. Players shift the rider's weight to perform wheelies, stoppies, and aerial flips, and control how the bike lands. The game is known for its punishing difficulty, especially in later levels. New to the series are freestyle motocross stunts, executed with the right analog stick while airborne, and the option to ride a quad bike called the TKO Panda on certain tracks. Other vehicles include the Baggie, Roach, Pit Viper, and Foxbat motorbikes, the Donkey minibike, the Unicorn MK II (a cat), and the Rabbit BMX bike.
A track editor lets players design their own courses and games. Online multiplayer supports up to eight players on PS4, Xbox One, and PC, and four players on Xbox 360. This feature was added via an update on January 24, 2015.
The story is set in 2042, after an object fell from the sky and changed the world, leading to the creation of the Anomaly AI. Two characters, SynDI and George, are descended from this AI and speak to the player's character, Rider, as disembodied voices. The UN has designated some areas as "United Nations Ungoverned Regions."
Critics generally received Trials Fusion well, praising its level design, controls, graphics, futuristic setting, and amount of content. Complaints focused on the lack of tutorials for the create mode and the game's similarity to earlier Trials entries. Reviewers noted the game's blend of fun and frustration, its addictive replayability, and the strength of its physics, though some found the FMX tricks, story, and certain level designs less successful. The track editor was called powerful, but its obtuse tools and poor tutorials were a common downside.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Trials Fusion
- Developer
- Ubisoft RedLynx / Ubisoft Shanghai / Ubisoft Kyiv
- Publisher
- Ubisoft
- Designer
- Karri Kiviluoma
- Composer
- Petri Alanko
- Series
- Trials
- Platforms
- Microsoft Windows / PlayStation 4 / Xbox 360 / Xbox One
- Released
- PlayStation 4 / NA · April 15, 2014 · PAL · April 16, 2014Xbox 360 & Xbox One / WW · April 16, 2014Windows / NA · April 16, 2014 · PAL · April 24, 2014
- Genre
- Platform, racing
- Modes
- Single-player, multiplayer
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Trials Fusion is set in the year 2042, after an object 'fell from the sky and changed our world', leading to the creation of the 'Anomaly AI'. From this AI descend two characters, SynDI and George, whose disembodied voices are heard by the player's character, Rider. The United Nations has designated some parts of the planet as 'United Nations Ungoverned Regions'. The game presents an arcade take on the real-life sport of observed trials, with the player controlling a rider on a physics-based motorcycle navigating obstacles on a 2D plane with 3D graphics. New to the series are freestyle motocross stunts performed with the right analog stick and the ability to choose a quad bike called the 'TKO Panda' for some levels. Other vehicles include motorbikes 'Baggie', 'Roach', 'Pit Viper', and 'Foxbat', the minibike 'Donkey', the cat in the 'Unicorn MK II', and the BMX bike 'Rabbit'. The game features a track editor for creating custom courses and games. Online multiplayer supports up to 8 players on PS4, Xbox One, and PC, and 4 players on Xbox 360; it was added via an update on January 24, 2015.
Reader's Guide
Trials Fusion received generally favorable reviews across all platforms. Critics praised its level design, controls, graphics, futuristic setting, and amount of content, but criticized the lack of tutorials for the create mode and its similarity to past Trials games. The game was noted for its notorious difficulty, particularly toward the end. In a special edition of Edge listing the 100 top videogames of all time, Trials Fusion was one of only two racing games included, alongside OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast. Trusted Reviews placed it on their list of the best racing games of 2018, and VideoGamer.com listed it as the 10th best racing game of all time. The game sold over 1.7 million units by February 2015. Ubisoft released six paid DLC packs and several free content updates. While some reviewers felt the core formula was starting to wear thin, others considered it a solid entry that brought the franchise to current-generation consoles and new platforms.
Did You Know?
- Trials Fusion is the first game in the Trials series to be released on a PlayStation platform.
- Online multiplayer for up to 8 players was added via an update on January 24, 2015.
- A companion game, Trials Frontier, was released on iOS and Android devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Trials Fusion and who made it?
Trials Fusion is a physics-based motorcycle platformer built by Ubisoft RedLynx with support from Ubisoft Shanghai and Ubisoft Kyiv. It launched in April 2014 as the fifth mainline entry in the Trials franchise.
Which platforms can I play Trials Fusion on?
The game shipped for Windows PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One. It was also the first Trials title to appear on a PlayStation console, and a mobile spin-off called Trials Frontier followed for iOS and Android.
What is the setting and core gameplay of Trials Fusion?
The game is set in a stylized futuristic world in the year 2042, where riders compete in extreme trials. Players control a motorcycle using a physics-based system, balancing speed, jumps, and stunts across handcrafted tracks.
How does Trials Fusion fit into the broader Trials series?
As the fifth installment, it carried forward the arcade-style motorcycle platforming formula while expanding the rider roster and track variety. It also served as the franchise's gateway onto PlayStation hardware.
How commercially successful was Trials Fusion?
By February 2015, roughly ten months after its spring 2014 release, the title had sold more than 1.7 million copies across all of its platforms.
More in Racing Games, Further Titles 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced