ATV Quad Power Racing 2

It seems that quad bikes are not just for trekking across fields to see how your sheep are doing.

Apparently they can also be used for off-road racing.

Fast, edge-of-your-seat, down and dirty off-road racing, to be exact.

And not an Emmerdale character in sight.

ATV Quad Power Racing puts you in the driving seat of one such vehicle, and delivers an arcade racer that also borrows a selection of trick/stunt elements from titles such as SSX Tricky and Freekstyle.

Featuring Arcade, Single Race, Time Trial, Career, and Freestyle game modes, the game also has plenty to offer any off-road fanatic and will have you pulling off endos and nik naks in no time.

There are a total of 15 tracks on offer, located across five different international environments, as well as two additional freestyle stadiums. There are 20 characters to select from - 10 fictional and 10 real world professionals, featuring the likes of Dana Creech, Kory Ellis and Tim Farr.

ATV 2 is also endorsed by a host of real-life sponsors, so there's a fairly authentic feel to the proceedings, even if, like your author, you've never witnessed the sport before.

Also thrown into the mix is a combat feature, which, in similar vein to the classic 16-bit bike racer Road Rash, allows players to attack nearby opponents with an assortment of punches and kicks.

This comes in useful, as the computer-controlled bikers are aggressively competitive, relying on an advanced stage management AI system that means they'll be hassling you all the way.

Nothing a swift smack to the chops can't solve though.

With the inclusion of an array of multiplayer modes that allow for some split-screen head-to-heads with your mates, ATV Quad Power Racing 2 is certainly comprehensive enough to keep you entertained for a while.

Bored with the plethora of Gran Turismo clones?

This may just be the answer.