Moto GP 2008 (Xbox360) (Moto GP 2008 (Xbox 360))

Member Name: RocketFuel

Product:	Moto GP 2008 (Xbox 360)
Date:	17/06/09 (42 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy for noobs to ge into

Disadvantages: Not as involving for those used to the MotoGP franchise

I picked this game up for £20 second hand. So am just getting to grips with it really. I've been playing it for about 2 weeks now.

The game was previously developed by Climax but now it is done by Capcom. I was full of hope but can't say they've added all that much to the game. Appart from the different racing classes which is much appreciated.
I'm quite a big fan of the MotoGP franchise of games and also of real life bike racing. But this version leaves me a bit underwhelmed really.They don't seem to improve the game all that much from the previous versions.

In my eyes the previous versions of this game were so much more fun to play. You could powerslide the bikes around corners, trail the brakes etc. The controls were always responsive and the bike felt connected to the track. You could get slightly out of control and bring the bike back under control. In this version the bike feels quite floaty and detached from the track, not as involving to ride. However, it is more arcadey and easier for anyone new to the MotoGP franchise to pick up. It might drag more people into the franchise.

You still have the usual Career, Championship and Time Attack modes. The Career mode is now more involving alowing you to move up through the classes.

The graphics is not all that great. The bikes and riders look good but the actual tracks and scenery are nothing special. I have noticed that there doesn't seem to be the `screen tearing' (or whatever it's called) when the framerate can't keep up with the speed of the game. The frame rate seems good this time.

There is the introduction of the 3 different racing classes... 125cc, 250cc & MotoGP. And you can earn sponsorships and sign with different teams as you progress. This is more realistic than previous releases of this game which ignored the two smaller classes. In real life many of the MotoGP riders make their way up through the classes. So a thumbs up there!!

Online play is pretty good and you can have up yo 12 players onine at a time. We'll have to see how good the scoreboards are though as they are usually rubbish and lose your time trials times!! I love to try building up my times, but in previous versions they are lost!!!!!!!!!!! GGGRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.............!!!!!! But we'll see. Maybe it'll be better this time.

You can use Arcade, Advanced or Simulation setups which does help to cater for different skill levels. Do you know where to accelerate, break for corners, turn in and the correct lines to use. If so, then use simulation for a more involving race. I do find however that their is not as much scope as in previous versions to adjust the handling and setup etc to exactly how you want it.

The engine sounds have never been much good on the MotoGP games. If they would put a little effort into this it would be so much more involving as the sounds of the bikes play a very important part in the excitement of the sport.

Summary: Good game but could be better