It’s fair to say that the MotoGP series has maintained a pretty high standard in simulating the sport of motorcycle racing for a number of years now. Eschewing all vestiges of the arcade racer, the series has remained a staid and unashamedly realistic simulation alienating a huge chunk of an audience desperate to get their teeth into some simple yet slick bike racing action. Chances are you're one of the majority of racing fans who check out the demo each year and avoid the full game after failing to get the most out of the few laps they’re given to sample.
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| Some bikes. | A rare moment – a rider taking a corner, while still seated. |
If you find yourself nodding in agreement at the above, then you’ll be happy to learn that MotoGP 08 proves itself to be the definitive game devoted to really fast things on two wheels. Capcom have excelled themselves by including three unique handling models alongside varying degrees of opponent difficulty. This essentially means that anyone with a passing interest in playing the game will be able to select their ideal skill level and immediately feel right at home, which is great. At the beginning of the game you can even take an optional tutorial, which will then measure your skill and recommend a handling model suited to you. Well, that’s the idea anyway.
However, following our own tutorial, the game suggested that we go for the full fat simulation, which we quickly found to be a joyless plight. Opting for a quick race comprised of three laps around the Circuit De Catalunya (with its nice long straight at the end), it was instantly apparent that simulation was the wrong choice for us. As a crash course in learning the deep intricacies and inherent dangers of riding a motorcycle, the simulation model is brilliant, but as an enjoyable way of playing the game, it stinks. At every corner we found ourselves putting slightly too much pressure on the gas sending the bike into wobbly spasms and off the track. The analog triggers used for accelerating and braking prove invaluable as you gently try to feel out the correct speed to take a turn, gauging the feedback as you go. Yet, despite numerous efforts, the same thing happened over and over – watching our ride skim across the track as our rider is grinded into the asphalt. If MotoGP 08 adhered rigidly to simulation, then our rider would have been killed several times over. Even locating the rear brake on the X button proved futile as we tried tapping it upon losing grip only to be treated to the same animation of Valentino Rossi curling into a foetal position (no hilarious ragdoll physics here) on the rough tarmac as his blue Yamaha went spinning into the crash barriers once more.
So, tutorial duly ignored we moved on to the advanced model, which still proved a little too spicy for our palettes. Arcade it is then. For us, the arcade model is where MotoGP comes into its own for players less accustomed to the unforgiving handling of a high performance motorcycle, allowing you to jostle with other riders and lean into corners without fear of losing your rider in the gravel traps. Using arcade handling, we got to give MotoGP a proper go, popping wheelies and actually winning the odd race. If it’s fast, accessible motorbikin’ fun you’re after, look no further. Don’t even bother putting yourself through the pain of simulation – we’ve done that for you already. Trust us.
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| Popping a wheelie is cool. Don't do it too often though, or you'll lose. Or fall off. Again. | Don't lean too far! You'll fall off. Again. |
Despite enjoying MotoGP 08 for the best part of an hour using arcade handling, the gimmick of two-wheels soon grew tiresome, leaving us with that familiar feeling we were playing the staid simulation that MotoGP has always been.
Visually, MotoGP 08 is initially very appealing, with an almost photo realistic quality to its bikes and tracks. Yet you soon realise that although the tracks are faithfully represented, they’re fairly sparse and dull. Some lovely weather effects add a little variety to the circuits, but ultimately it’s not really enough. The dullness factor is also exacerbated by the lack of in-game music and the lack of custom soundtrack support (on the PS3 version we played anyway) meaning that all you’re left with is the constant bee-trapped-in-a-pint-glass buzz of motorbike engines. Some Steppenwolf could have really livened things up a bit.
To Capcom’s credit, they’ve done the very best they can with the licence, building a solid MotoGP game with masses of longevity if you’re willing to persevere. There are 50 challenges to conquer in order to unlock rewards, a career mode, a championship, multiplayer modes and more besides. The game is bursting with things to do – but here’s the rub – if you have the inclination to bother.
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| Valentino Rossi – about to fall off. Again. | here are three different rider POV cameras to choose from. You'll either vomit or fall off your chair if you use them. |
Sadly, MotoGP 08 had us pining for the simple boneheaded thrills of bludgeoning a rival biker to death with a baseball bat a la Road Rash. It’s hard when you’re amongst the pack, overtaking, not to imagine lashing out with a length of chain or even a fist. What we really want is a Road Rash update. Is anybody listening?
MotoGP 08 is a complete enough package to satisfy every motorcycle aficionado, from the most casual to the most hardcore fan, there’s something for everyone. If however, you couldn’t care less about the actual (sometimes televised) sport, then you’ll find little beyond a diversion that’ll entertain for a couple of days at the most. It’s comprehensive and in-depth enough to appeal to the fans, but not nearly welcoming enough to convert non-believers. Try before you buy!
MOTOGP O8 VERDICT
MotoGP 08 is a complete enough package to satisfy every motorcycle aficionado, from the most casual to the most hardcore fan, there’s something for everyone. If however, you couldn’t care less about the actual (sometimes televised) sport, then you’ll find little beyond a diversion that’ll entertain for a couple of days at the most. It’s comprehensive and in-depth enough to appeal to the fans, but not nearly welcoming enough to convert non-believers. Try before you buy!
