 MotoGP 09/10
Christo van Gemert
MotoGP is not only the premiere motorcycle race series (SBK being a close second), it’s also the one with more depth than the other championships. It features three classes, all of which are present in the latest MotoGP game.
More importantly, Capcom, the game’s developer, is releasing all of the latest season data as downloadable content for PS3 and Xbox owners. This makes it one of the most up-to-date yearly sports sims around.
Gameplay is divided into a championship season mode, where players can start a career with one of the teams and tour all over the world. Arcade mode allows for more casual racing, with some relaxed game rules that reward differing styles of play. Then there’s a robust online mode for competitive online play with up to 20 players on track, at once.
 Getting started is tricky, though. As with most motorcycle sims, the control scheme is a bit more complex than those found in car racing games. Bikes require separate modulation of the front and rear brakes, in addition to weight shifting during cornering, braking and acceleration. Some of this can be automated in MotoGP, but mastering the finer points of virtual bike riding is the only way to be really competitive.
Graphically, the game has a grittier visual style than some other games. Some tracks feel like they are set in dusk or dawn, lacking the bright, direct light of a sunny afternoon. That said, the trackside detail is startingly realistic, outdoing even games like Forza 3 in the “accurate likeness” stakes.
Player animations feel a bit stiff, rather than fluid, and getting used to the feel of the racing takes a bit of time for those who are not familiar with two-wheeled racing. Don’t expect to pick this up and start driving like it’s a Need for Speed game – you’ll crash, and frustratedly throw the controller at the TV.
Give it time, though, and MotoGP will be really rewarding. The career mode has a lot of depth and should keep players busy for a good 20 hours or so, with just a few playthroughs.
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