Written by: Mark

 

 

 

With the current MotoGP season now in full swing it is no surprise that a video game is released to coincide with this, however Capcom’s second MotoGP title should have been released before Christmas and the delay is reflected in the title which encompasses both 2010 and 2011.

 

Personally I have failed to be captivated by any previous MotoGP titles mainly due to the insanely difficult learning curve, however Capcom’s first attempt to release a game in the series did tone this down somewhat yet never managed to strike a balance between an arcade style racer or simulation and thus it suffered with its all round quality.

 

This could explain the long delay whilst the developers ironed out the problems however the cynics may feel that they need to be convinced that the series is making enough strides forward to be considered a worthy purchase.

 

 

There is no denying that the Moto GP games have been presented well and the latest in the series is no different with the overall graphical style looking pretty nice and as long as you are not expecting something along the lines of Gran Turismo 5 you should be fairly impressed. Bikes again have been animated particularly well and look very realistic and seem even more impressive when in races with almost thirty participating.

 

 

Sound wise again has seen a massive improvement with the thunderous roars of engines sounding pretty sweet and satisfying particularly when racing the bigger bikes.

 

In addition the tracks mirror the real life counterparts well and there is no doubt that fans of the sport will instantly be familiar as do the real life riders in the game. The only downside is that the tracks are a little sparse on detail although it must be said that undoubtedly you will need all of your focus on the gameplay rather than the detail.

 

 

Without doubt the game is packed with content as you have the option to participate in quick races, timed challenges, career and multiplayer.

 

The career mode without doubt is the one which offers the most in-depth gameplay as you start out as an unknown rider on the 125cc circuit and have to gain reputation by competing in races against opponents of varying difficulty. As you progress you become responsible for all aspects of your riders career from tuning and customising bikes to managing the PR side of things which involves negotiating sponsorships and employing new staff. There is no denying that this mode in particular offers a pretty deep yet very rewarding experience which shows that in terms of game modes the series is definitely taking good strides forward.

 

 

In comparison the other modes (barring multiplayer) will undoubtedly prove to be more of a distraction and act as something more suitable for a quick blast to perfect your skills rather than anything too time consuming and one gets the feeling that these have been included to pad out the game rather than be must plays.