Superbikes 2001 bigger and better? (Superbikes 2001 (PC))

Member Name: spadger

Product:	Superbikes 2001 (PC)
Date:	24/01/02 (354 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: superb graphics, close racing , customization

Disadvantages: steering

EA Sports Superbikes 2001 attempts to bring the sense of speed and excitement from the track to the home pc and they have done a very good job.
It is possible to play this game as anything from an arcade racer to a complete racing simulation with the high number of game options available in the game, but be warned even on Rookie settings this game is still difficult and some effort needs to be put in before you can stay confidently in the pack. Although once you?ve cruised up the inside of another racer on a slow corner eased him off the racing line before blasting away down the straight you?re hooked.
Superbikes is different from Formula 1 car games in that the racing is very close with lots of overtaking and bunching on the slow corners, this makes for a very exciting game with lots to do from start to finish. The downside to the close in racing is if you make a mistake it can be costly with huge accidents taking out five or six riders at a time and your rider sat at the side off the track waiting to remount.
The graphics in Superbike are simply stunning if you have a reasonably fast computer and a good graphics card, the in game views are very good ranging from being behind the rider to seeing just the handle bars. Replays are also spectacular and you may well find yourself replaying a whole race to find out where you were gaining or losing speed or more likely to start off with to replay those huge accidents!
Sound is also good and can be useful in warning of an approaching ride and even locating him if he?s on your left or right, although in common with most racing games it is a bit monotonous and tinny.
The steering is definitely one of the more contentious parts of the game, if you use a wheel as the control method to move from hard left to hard right a much bigger movement is needed compared with car racing games, l?m not sure if this is to deliberately emphasize the leaning of the riders or not but it?s certainly different
and adds to the time needed to learn the game. Hopefully in Superbike 2002 an option to shorten the turning arc may be added. A Gamepad can make a very good alternative and even keys are reasonable.
Overall Superbikes 2001 is a very good game which deserves the time spent to master it.

Summary: