MX Vs. ATV Reflex will allow gamers to control the driver and vehicle separately with a controller's two thumbsticks.
During a brief demonstration last week, developers showed onlookers how the "rider reflex" controls can affect stunts and maneuverability. By shifting your riders weight around while driving you can actually put weight on different tires, allowing you to maneuver up areas that may not have been possible before.
For instance, in a demonstration of the Icarus level, they showed us a rugged climb up a mountain thick with snow, accomplished by shifting the rider around on the bike. The ride ended with a stupendous view of the surrounding wilds.
The game, due out on the Playstation Portable, Playstation 3 and Xbox 360, relies on the separation of controls as a key element for "making the game fun", developers said.
Terrain deformation, we were told, will etch ruts, build up loose soil and deeply impact how a race runs over the course of several laps.
For fans of the series, this looks like a keeper.