“If, like me, you’re a committed gamer you’ll be familiar with the groundbreaking publishers, Rockstar. There aren’t many titles they release that aren’t un some way lauded for their innovation, gameplay and general awesomeness. The British-founded company have made their names with the Grand Theft Auto series and other original titles such as Max Payne, Manhunt, Canis Canem Edit and Red Dead Revolver to name but a few. The Midnight Club series though, I feel, has been criminally overlooked. With the release of Midnight Club L.A., we’re up to number 4 in the series which I have been avidly playing since the first MC was released on the PS2.”

“Break-neck speed effects, slick arcade graphics, pounding music, great car selection and fully customisable vinyls and bodywork are a given in most racing games, but as with all Rockstar releases there is always something that lifts their titles above the norm. In the case of M.C.L.A. it’s the point-to-point free-roam mode and online racing opportunities. MCIII set the bar with online racing and was among the first console titles to pull off a decent viable and largely bug-free online racing system. As far back as ’05 I was racing online, screaming like a banshee over the internet at my mainly American opponents as they knocked me off my Aprilla 1000 at +200mph. Despite the machinations of our unsporting cousins across the pond I gleefully rose to around 200th in the world racing rankings, so you can imagine how excited I am that we now have a new version out for the Xbox360 and PS3.”

“The MC series operates differently from most racing games in that there are all the normal lap and checkpoint based races but an extra feature is the ability to race point-to-point taking the fastest route you can find. The intricate game map of L.A. is a warren of backstreets and alleyways and slipping down these can often give you the edge in a race. Once you master the control system the game opens up incredibly… There’s nothing more satisfying than power sliding round a 90 degree corner at 130mph missing on coming traffic by inches and scrapping parked cars along the way safe in the knowledge you’re driving on the absolute ragged edge. MCLA is so fast, slick and intense it puts other arcade racers in the shade. I have only one word of warning regarding this purchase… don’t play it before bed-time, it’s like mainlining a triple espresso, you’ll never get to sleep…”