{{Short description|2009 video game developed by RedLynx}} {{good article}} {{Infobox video game | title = Trials HD | developer = RedLynx | image = Trialshd.jpg | publisher = Microsoft Game Studios<ref>{{cite web |url=https://marketplace.xbox.com/en-CA/Product/Trials-HD/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d8025841095a |title=Trials HD |website=Xbox.com |publisher=Microsoft |access-date=2011-01-07 |archive-date=2011-01-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120134219/http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-CA/Product/Trials-HD/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d8025841095a |url-status=live }}</ref> | series = ''Trials'' | engine = Bullet Physics Library<ref name="trialshd">{{cite web |url=http://interviews.teamxbox.com/xbox/2459/Trials-HD-Developer-Interview/p1 |title=Trials HD Developer Interview |first=Dale |last=Nardozzi |date=2009-08-06 |website=TeamXbox |publisher=IGN Entertainment |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100211140603/http://interviews.teamxbox.com/xbox/2459/Trials-HD-Developer-Interview/p1/ |archive-date=2010-02-11 |access-date=2009-11-14}}</ref> | platforms = Xbox 360 (XBLA) | released = August 12, 2009 | genre = Racing game, puzzle game | modes = Single-player }}
'''''Trials HD''''' is an Xbox Live Arcade game developed by RedLynx and published by Microsoft Game Studios. It was released on August 12, 2009 as part of the second annual Xbox Live Summer of Arcade and was later re-released in a retail pack alongside ''Limbo'' and '''Splosion Man'' in April 2011. It is a 2.5D puzzle/racing game. The player must guide a trial motorcycle with exaggerated physics through various obstacles to reach each stage's finish line. On September 6, 2012, it was announced that a Microsoft Windows version of ''Trials HD'' would be bundled inside a special version of ''Trials Evolution'', dubbed ''Trials Evolution: Gold Edition''—although this version changes the physics of the game. It is the third game in the series. On February 11, 2016, Microsoft added ''Trials HD'' as part of its backwards compatibility program for Xbox One.
==Gameplay== thumb|left|In ''Trials HD'' players must manipulate the rider and motorcycle to traverse obstacles and objects found throughout each level. In ''Trials HD'' the player controls a rider on a physics-based motorcycle from the start of the level to the end while navigating a number of obstacles. The objective is to complete the course as fast as possible and with as few crashes, known in the game as faults, as possible.<ref name="teamxbox preview">{{cite web |url=http://previews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/2385/Trials-HD/p1/ |title=Trials HD Hands-On Preview (Xbox 360) |first=Dale |last=Nardozzi |date=2009-07-20 |website=TeamXbox |publisher=IGN Entertainment |access-date=2010-10-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101010080746/http://previews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/2385/Trials-HD/p1/ |archive-date=2010-10-10}}</ref> The game uses 3D graphics, but is played on a 2D plane, so the rider can only move forwards and backwards. Players can also control the bike's pitch at slow speeds or while in the air.<ref name="gamespot handson">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/trials-hd-hands-on/1100-6213216/ |title=Trials HD Hands-On |first=Guy |last=Cocker |date=2009-07-10 |website=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=2019-03-04}}</ref>
The game has a variety of courses in a range of difficulties from beginner to extreme. There are a total of thirty-five courses in the game, and players can replay completed courses to attempt a faster time. Tournament mode sees the player attempt to complete a number of courses in sequence, trying to achieve a fast overall time with minimal faults. Twelve skill games can also be unlocked which place the player in different challenges.<ref name="videogamer review">{{cite web |url=https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/trials-hd-review |title=Trials HD Review |first=Tom |last=Orry |date=2009-08-12 |website=VideoGamer.com |publisher=Resero Network |access-date=2019-03-04}}</ref> These include things such as riding inside or on top of a large spherical cage, achieving as many flips as possible within a set time limit, or towing a trailer with two large bombs as far as possible while keeping them from exploding by impact. Players earn medals based on their completion time, number of faults, and in the case of skill games, other specialized criteria.<ref name="gamespot handson" />
When connected to Xbox Live, the player can view their performance in relation to players in their friends list. This is done by an in-game meter which displays the closest friend to the player's time which adjusts based on whether the player is leading or trailing the friend's course time.<ref name="teamxbox preview" /> ''Trials HD'' includes a level editor that allows players to construct their own courses and share them with players in their friends list. Every course in the game was created using the level editor, which allows users to create professional-quality levels. It also features leaderboards for each of the game's courses and modes.<ref name="videogamer review" /> For each course the fastest five thousand times are able to be viewed as replays. During the replay the viewer can view that recorded player's controller presses, allowing them to learn patterns and skills from it.<ref name="videogamer review" />
==Development and marketing== ''Trials HD'' is the second 2.5D game in the ''Trials'' series, following ''Trials 2: Second Edition''. The game is based on the popular flash games from the same series.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.redlynx.com/index.php?id=520 |title=RedLynx Console Games |website=RedLynx |access-date=2019-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100130194217/http://www.redlynx.com/index.php?id=520 |archive-date=2010-01-30}}</ref> It was released on August 12, 2009 as part of the second annual Xbox Live Summer of Arcade.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/07/09/summer-of-arcade-dates-revealed |title=Summer of Arcade Dates Revealed |first=Daemon |last=Hatfield |date=2009-07-09 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |access-date=2019-03-04 |archive-date=2019-03-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306043253/https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/07/09/summer-of-arcade-dates-revealed |url-status=live }}</ref> RedLynx developed ''Trials HD'' using an in-house engine coupled with a modified version of ''Bullet Physics Library'' which was optimized to utilize the Xbox 360's CPU and vector units. RedLynx applied the physics system to give a realistic feel, but to maintain the enjoyment of a video game, they tweaked the physics to "bend the reality in just the proper way."<ref name="trialshd" /> RedLynx saw this as a "crucial thing in making Trials such a fun and addictive game"<ref name="trialshd" /> Previous ''Trials'' games used a much simpler in-house physics engine, however for ''Trials HD'' developers opted to use the ''Bullet'' library and devote one of the 360's cpu cores entirely to physics.<ref name="eurogamer tech interview">{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-tech-interview-trials-hd |title=Tech Interview: Trials HD |first=Richard |last=Leadbetter |date=2009-09-12 |website=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network |access-date=2010-10-11 |archive-date=2010-09-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100916093718/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-tech-interview-trials-hd |url-status=live }}</ref> Developers also improved on the ''Trials 2'' engine by adding more advanced lighting and real time soft shadows.<ref name="eurogamer tech interview" />
thumb|''Trials HD'' levels were created using the same in-game editor which players can also use to create and share their own levels. Levels created for ''Trials HD'' were designed using the same in-game level editor that allows players to make user-based content.<ref name="eurogamer tech interview" /> All of the tools and abilities the developers had at their disposal can be used by the community.<ref name="eurogamer tech interview" /> In an interview with ''Eurogamer'', RedLynx's Lead Programmer Sebastian Aaltonen stated that there were no plans to port the game to other platforms, adding "''Trials HD'' technology has been specially designed for the Xbox 360 feature-set."<ref name="eurogamer tech interview" /> The voice work for the game was done by three Pennsylvanian voice actors, Rake Yohn, Brandon DiCamillo, and Art Webb.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DymAMwFWSFI | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120194913/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DymAMwFWSFI| archive-date=2012-01-20 | url-status=dead|title=RedLynx TV - Episode 5 |author=TrialsGames |date=2010-07-30 |website=YouTube |access-date=2010-10-12}}</ref>
''Trials HD'' was announced June 1, 2009 at a Microsoft luncheon during E3 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/06/01/trials-hd-coming-to-xbla |title=Trials HD Coming to XBLA |first=Charles |last=Onyett |date=2009-06-01 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |access-date=2019-03-04}}</ref> It was released August 12, 2009 as part of the Xbox Live Summer of Arcade.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/08/10/out-this-week-august-10-14-2009 |title=Out This Week: August 10-14, 2009 |first=Ryan |last=Geddes |date=2009-08-10 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |access-date=2019-03-04 |archive-date=2013-02-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130216123930/https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/08/10/out-this-week-august-10-14-2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> On December 23, 2009 the first downloadable content, known as the ''Trials HD Big Pack'', was released. The content features twenty three new courses, new objects for the game's built-in level creator and new achievements.<ref name="bigpack release">{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2009/12/15/trials-hd-dlc-detailed-new-trailer/ |title=Trials HD DLC detailed, new trailer |first=Richard |last=Mitchell |date=2009-12-15 |website=Engadget (Joystiq) |publisher=Oath Inc. |access-date=2019-03-04}}</ref> A second downloadable content pack was announced for the game in July 2010. The ''Trials HD Big Thrills Pack'' features forty new courses made by RedLynx, but unlike the ''Trials HD Big Pack'' it also features ten user created courses. These ten courses are to be decided from entries to the Big Thrills Track Creation Competition.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.redlynxgame.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=4225 |title=Trials HD Big Thrills Track Creation Competition |author=jenkki |date=2010-07-20 |website=RedLynx |access-date=2019-03-04 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715165210/http://www.redlynxgame.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=4225 |archive-date=2011-07-15}}</ref> The top three contestants were awarded prizes of $5,000, $3,000, and $1,000, respectively.<ref name="dough">{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2010/07/20/trials-hd-dlc-to-deliver-big-thrills-later-this-year/ |title=Trials HD DLC to deliver 'Big Thrills' later this year |first=David |last=Hinkle |date=2010-07-20 |website=Engagdet (Joystiq) |publisher=Oath Inc. |access-date=2019-03-04 |archive-date=2019-03-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306043642/https://www.engadget.com/2010/07/20/trials-hd-dlc-to-deliver-big-thrills-later-this-year/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Winners were announced on November 15, 2010.<ref name="bigthrills info">{{cite web |url=https://microsoft.promo.eprize.com/trialshd/ |title=Big Thrills! Trials HD Track Creator Challenge |website=Microsoft and RedLynx |access-date=2010-10-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110208100159/https://microsoft.promo.eprize.com/trialshd/ |archive-date=2011-02-08}}</ref> The ''Big Thrills Pack'' was released December 1, 2010.<ref name="bigthrills info" />
==Reception and sales== {{Video game reviews | MC = 86/100<ref name="metacritic">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/trials-hd/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360 |title=Trials HD for Xbox 360 Reviews |website=Metacritic |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=2010-07-21 |archive-date=2025-07-06 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250706225544/https://www.metacritic.com/game/trials-hd/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360 |url-status=live }}</ref> | Destruct = 9/10<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.destructoid.com/review-trials-hd-144473.phtml |title=Trials HD |first=Jordan |last=Devore |date=2009-08-17 |website=Destructoid |publisher=Enthusiast Gaming |access-date=2019-03-05 |archive-date=2020-08-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813103744/https://www.destructoid.com/review-trials-hd-144473.phtml |url-status=live }}</ref> | EuroG = 9/10<ref name="Eurogamer review">{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/trials-hd-review |title=Trials HD |first=Tom |last=Bramwell |date=2009-08-10 |website=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network |access-date=2010-07-21 |archive-date=2010-07-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100713163316/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/trials-hd-review |url-status=live }}</ref> | GamePro = 4.5/5<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://gparcade.blogfaction.com/article/110393/xbla-review-trials-hd/ |title=XBLA Review - Trials HD |first=Sean |last=Ely |date=2009-08-19 |magazine=GamePro Arcade |publisher=GamePro Media |access-date=2010-10-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006170603/http://gparcade.blogfaction.com/article/110393/xbla-review-trials-hd/ |archive-date=2011-10-06}}</ref> | GameRev = B+<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/44380-trials-hd-review |title=Trials HD Review |first=Eduardo |last=Reboucas |date=2009-09-01 |website=Game Revolution |publisher=CraveOnline |access-date=2019-03-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906223334/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/trials-hd |archive-date=2015-09-06 |url-status=live}}</ref> | GSpot = 8/10<ref name="gamespot review">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/trials-hd-review/1900-6215184/ |title=Trials HD Review |first=Tom |last=McShea |date=2009-08-12 |website=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=2019-03-05 |archive-date=2019-03-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306043248/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/trials-hd-review/1900-6215184/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | GSpy = 4/5<ref name="gamespy review">{{cite web |url=http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/trials-hd/1013512p1.html |title=The Consensus: Trials HD Review |first=Anthony |last=Gallegos |date=2009-08-12 |website=GameSpy |publisher=IGN Entertainment |access-date=2010-10-13 |archive-date=2011-11-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111118074352/http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/trials-hd/1013512p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> | GT = 8.5/10<ref name="gametrailers review">{{cite web |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/6w2qw3/trials-hd-review |title=Trials HD |website=GameTrailers |publisher=Defy Media |date=2009-08-12 |access-date=2019-03-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416073149/http://www.gametrailers.com/reviews/6w2qw3/trials-hd-review |archive-date=2015-04-16}}</ref> | GameZone = 9/10<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/trials_hd_360_review/ |title=Trials HD - 360 - Review |first=Dylan |last=Platt |date=2009-08-27 |website=GameZone |access-date=2019-03-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090830105457/http://xbox360.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r38380.htm |archive-date=2009-08-30 |url-status=live}}</ref> | GB = 4/5<ref name="gb review">{{cite web |url=https://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/trials-hd-review/1900-205/ |title=Trials HD Review |first=Brad |last=Shoemaker |date=2009-09-23 |website=Giant Bomb |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=2019-03-05 |archive-date=2019-03-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306043045/https://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/trials-hd-review/1900-205/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | IGN = 8.3/10<ref name="IGN review">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/08/10/trials-hd-review |title=Trials HD Review |first=Daemon |last=Hatfield |date=2009-08-10 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |access-date=2019-03-05}}</ref> | OXM = 8/10<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.oxmonline.com/article/reviews/xbox-live-arcade/s-z/trials-hd |title=Trials HD |first=Ryan |last=McCaffrey |date=2009-08-12 |magazine=Official Xbox Magazine |publisher=Future US |access-date=2019-03-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090814213911/http://www.oxmonline.com/article/reviews/xbox-live-arcade/s-z/trials-hd |archive-date=2009-08-14}}</ref> | rev1 = ''Teletext GameCentral'' | rev1Score = 7/10<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.teletext.co.uk/gamecentral/features-reviews/504f68e8f5c6c456e81b682d676738ec/Trials+HD+(360).aspx |title=Trials HD (360) |first=David |last=Jenkins |date=August 2009 |website=Teletext GameCentral |publisher=Teletext Ltd. |access-date=2019-03-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090820035815/http://www.teletext.co.uk/gamecentral/features-reviews/504f68e8f5c6c456e81b682d676738ec/Trials+HD+(360).aspx |archive-date=2009-08-20}}</ref> | award1Pub = Xbox Live | award1 = Best Overall Arcade Game,<br />Best Innovation (2009)<ref name="best XBLA" /> }}
''Trials HD'' received "favorable" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.<ref name="metacritic" /> In its first month, the title sold over 300 thousand units.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/25381/RedLynxs_Trials_HD_Sells_300000_On_Xbox_Live_Arcade.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100412015445/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/25381/RedLynxs_Trials_HD_Sells_300000_On_Xbox_Live_Arcade.php |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 12, 2010 |title=RedLynx's Trials HD Sells 300,000 On Xbox Live Arcade |first=Kris |last=Graft |date=2009-09-23 |website=Gamasutra |publisher=UBM plc |access-date=2010-10-12}}</ref> On September 14, 2010 RedLynx announced that ''Trials HD'' had surpassed 1.3 million units in sales.<ref name="gamasutra sales">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/console/in-depth-xbox-live-arcade-s-2010-sales-revealed |title=In-Depth: Xbox Live Arcade's 2010 Sales Revealed |first=Ryan |last=Langley |date=2011-01-28 |website=Gamasutra |publisher=UBM plc |access-date=2019-03-05 |archive-date=2011-02-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110201164901/http://www.gamerbytes.com/2011/01/indepth_xbox_live_arcade_sales_18.php |url-status=live }}</ref> Sales of the first downloadable content pack had also exceeded 360 thousand, with the second pack selling over 90 thousand units.<ref name="gamasutra sales" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/trials-hd-voted-best-xbla-game |title=Trials HD voted best XBLA game |first=Robert |last=Purchese |date=2009-04-07 |website=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network |access-date=2010-10-11 |archive-date=2010-08-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100815004331/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/trials-hd-voted-best-xbla-game |url-status=live }}</ref> On May 27, 2011 RedLynx announced that sales have exceeded two million units.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://redlynx.com/press/96-trials-hd-reaches-two-million-unit-sales/ |title=Trials HD Reaches Two Million Unit Sales |date=2011-05-27 |website=RedLynx |access-date=2011-05-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110601100626/http://redlynx.com/press/96-trials-hd-reaches-two-million-unit-sales |archive-date=2011-06-01}}</ref> In 2009, ''Trials HD'' received two awards voted on by the Xbox 360 community, Best Overall Arcade Game and Best Innovation.<ref name="best XBLA">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/04/06/xbox-gamers-pick-xbla-favorites |title=Xbox Gamers Pick XBLA Favorites |first=Daemon |last=Hatfield |date=2010-04-06 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |access-date=2019-03-05 |archive-date=2019-03-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306044141/https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/04/06/xbox-gamers-pick-xbla-favorites |url-status=live }}</ref> In a September 2010 ranking, IGN listed ''Trials HD'' sixteenth in their top twenty-five Xbox Live Arcade titles of all time.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/09/16/the-top-25-xbox-live-arcade-games-2?page=11 |title=The Top 25 Xbox Live Arcade Games (Page 11) |author=IGN staff |date=2010-09-16 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |access-date=2019-03-05 |archive-date=2019-03-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306043659/https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/09/16/the-top-25-xbox-live-arcade-games-2?page=11 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was also awarded a perfect score by ''Xbox World 360''.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Trials HD |magazine=Xbox World 360 |publisher=Future plc |date=October 2009 |page=104}}</ref>
Reviewers generally praised the game's replay value. IGN's Daemon Hatfield remarked that ''Trials HD'' had "truckloads of content" adding that the game's features "really take advantage of what can be done with Xbox Live."<ref name="IGN review" /> GameTrailers staff also praised the amount of content in the game stating that it was an excellent value for the price.<ref name="gametrailers review" /> ''Eurogamer'' stated that "it's a game built for endless replay and community expansion beyond that."<ref name="Eurogamer review" /> The game's leaderboards, especially the ability to have a view of where other players were at a certain time during a run, were widely praised by Brad Shoemaker of ''Giant Bomb''.<ref name="gb review" />
One of the primary criticisms given by critics was ''Trials HD''{{'}}s steep difficulty curve. Brad Shoemaker of Giant Bomb stated that he wished the difficulty curve was "a little smoother."<ref name="gb review" /> Daemon Hatfield of IGN further commented on the game's difficulty, stating "It's when you get stuck trying to get over some small hill and you see that fault counter in the top left corner counting up [...] that the game starts being more frustrating than fun."<ref name="IGN review" /> GameSpy's Anthony Gallegos added that the "limited number of tries per track feels arbitrary."<ref name="gamespy review" /> He was also critical of the game's file sharing system, noting that instead of a repository from which to download tracks that sharing is limited to those in the player's friends list.<ref name="gamespy review" /> Tom McShea of GameSpot also agreed that the difficulty on the latter tracks was "ridiculously hard" and shared disappointment in the file sharing system.<ref name="gamespot review" />
{{clear}}
==See also== {{Portal|Video games}} *''Trials Evolution''
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20110709101410/http://www.redlynx.com/games/xbox-360/trials-hd Official Website] *''[https://marketplace.xbox.com/en-US/Product/Trials-HD/66acd000-77fe-1000-9115-d8025841095a Trials HD]'' at Xbox.com *{{moby game|id=/xbox360/trials-hd}}
{{Trials}} {{Authority control}}
Category:2009 video games Category:Microsoft games Category:Motorcycle video games Category:Racing video games Category:RedLynx games Category:Single-player video games Category:Trials (series) Category:Video games developed in Finland Category:Video games with 2.5D graphics Category:Video games with user-generated gameplay content Category:Xbox 360 games Category:Xbox 360-only games Category:Xbox 360 Live Arcade games