Motorstorm Pacific Rift is everything that the first should have been.
but where this game shines is where Motorstorm lacked most...multiplayer and variety. the variety in levels and location type is a star in the game. levels really affect how you play more in Pacific Rift on levels like the volcano races where you're jumping over lava and start to catch flames from the sheer heat and have to race into showering cooling stations to avoid exploding. needless to say you have to be smart with your nitro boost on these levels as the wrong timing mixed with getting too close to the heat will cause you to explode into oblivion.
adding multiplayer is wonderful as well. but not only 2 racers, but 4 player split screen is too fun with friends (if your tv can handle it...because small tv + 4 player split screen + natural levels with no real definition on where to go = nightmare and lots of crashing). the chaotic feel of the races is still in tact and better than ever. some good boosting and you can catch that first place car...but 1 crash and you can easily end up in 7th. the pack is all relatively even matched and that adds to the excitement of the game as you really feel like you're fighting for that win. the difficulty is perfect. the trophies are reasonable and fun to obtain.
in short...this is the best dirt racer around on the market and it just so happens to be a PS3 exclusive. pick it up.