MotoGP, or Grand Prix motorcycle racing as it stands for, is the 'Fomula One' of motorcycling. These machines are the closest things you will see to super bikes... actually technically, they're faster than superbikes, but anyway, definitely not the kind of bikes you’ll see on any normal road. Now, if you’re like me and you’re not into paying money watching the same few bikes or cars race round a track a few times, but you wouldn’t mind having a go on one, then for less than a forty quid per ticket you can... at least virtually. As it's always fun when somebody else falls off.

There has always been a risk though for games which are based on real life events or movies, for the obvious reasons – they tend to be miraculously bad, or they try so hard at being the real thing they become quite the opposite. MotoGP, a game of the same name, is fortunately of those rarities where you’ll be safe from the risk, as it’s just simply good, clean fun, minus the broken limbs and scuffed knee-pads.

Gameplay:

One of the major qualities appreciated of any sports themed computer game is the number of options you have. Normally in a series, a developer would build the basis of the gameplay mechanics and 'feel' in the first few titles, sequels are easier in a sense that all that really needs updating is the graphics – thanks to new generation standards – and the number of different cars, players, bikes you can choose from, as this is very important to a sports fan most typically.

With MotoGP 08 you’ll be overwhelmed by choices, not just by the number of bike teams you can choose from, but from the amount of activities you can partake in and the amount you can change in some of the modes.

Graphics:

MotoGP’s graphics engine choice is somewhat down to mere preference in style. Personally, I think the engine looks aesthetic and quite definitive up close, and the style looking well suited. When you look at the distance details though, foliage, trees and just general distant surroundings things don’t look entirely pleasing to the eye. One aspect that disappointed me was the flat modeled trees, most of the time you are racing around at 200km an hour, but it’s still noticeable. Even if these were just low detailed it would have been fine, but they do look like something out of a previous generation title, dare I say.

Something less of a problem, but still worth mentioning is the lack of surroundings as well. Some of the courses just don’t have anything interesting going on in terms of objects and background activity. This might be though because the game is accurate to the actual track, if that’s the case it’s forgivable, but background movement does add a sense of immersion.

On another note, the weather effects produced by this engine are exceptionally impressive to look at, raining being one of the key states. Heavy rain is awful to experience outdoors, but in this game it’s pleasant, nothing beats watching the water flick when riding through it, and this time I’m thankful of it not affecting the performance of your bike, as that would be a nightmare.

Sound:

Sound is important to all racing games in a way that your vehicle’s movements and reactions have to be convincing but fulfilling to listen to. Because, if you think about it, your vehicle is going to be the thing you’re with all the time. MotoGP has just about nailed this feature on the head. 125cc sound like they should be 125cc bikes, 250cc bikes sound, in proportion to 125cc, like they should be 250cc and the same goes for the MotoGP class range. I wish though that the bikes had more of an 'impact' when they fly across the track after falling off at 230km an hour, they seem to look like they should be 'crashing' and 'bashing', but they certainly don’t sound like they should.

Ambient sound is something you rarely notice in a racing game, due to it being not the focus point whenever you’re playing, but I can’t help but pick up upon the repeating - and frankly grinding - soundtrack of the crowd cheers. I only noticed this after the 20th race I must admit, but as soon as you notice it, you can’t help but look out for it. It's probably not the best thing to mention after having said that, but it was very unusual.

An influenced theme of indie, rock and pop music is used as a soundtrack for the menus, although there's not that many tracks to listen to, so music really isn’t MotoGP’s selling point, but it will make you want to 'pump' out your own music while in game.

Longevity:

MotoGP as a game is best described as testing yourself, I feel the developers understood that really there are only so many laps you can do around one track, and even many different tracks. Because although mastering those corners and earning those 1st place prizes are satisfying, it can wear on you. So, what could you do to add depth and interest without attaching guns to the bikes? Different ways of playing these races of course.

Xbox LIVE – although a standard now – is one altered way of racing, making it more personal and competitive by allowing you to race against twelve other people. On trying this, I may have been out of luck, but I found it hard to find any more than four or five other people to race against. This is a shame as player count does make a difference in this game, you’ll find yourself racing against single people with this many people due to the skill gaps being generally large. The option though is much welcomed, and it does require you to play differently.

Another way of making a racing game diverse, without attaching jet engines to the back, is adding challenges. Challenges in the form of racing against time limits, through checkpoints, coming 1st in a small amount of time... did I already say racing against time limits? Yes, you can tell Milestone had tried with the diverse ways in challenges but you will see some familiar types, and then some even more familiar types. Give them their due though, there’s only so much you can do with a few bikes and a race track without it getting questionable on its identity. The challenges at least are another great way for working towards something, as they earn achievements and unlock certain items.

I don’t think you can ever really 'complete' MotoGP in a sense, at least not before getting bored. Not in any way implying that’s bad about this game, just naturally this game will get boring probably quicker that you’ll finish it. What may strive you to a form of completion though - and I know it will for many – are the achievements, a little too easy to 'achieve' for the career mode, but good luck completing some of those challenges. This game is definitely a 'bargain for your buck' in terms of content.

Overall:

It’s strange to see in this generation of gaming that people are still sticking to the same genre of games, and on the other side of the transaction, the developers sticking to the same genre of games too. Sometimes it’s just best to mix things up a little, and take a risk as, being one of the main features of a risk, you’ll never know what you’ll expect. You might be blown away by games that might seem babyish from the outside, and we might start seeing more games which excel at combining genres. MotoGP definitely isn’t one of those games, I doubt it has done anything out of the ordinary, but it is a game out of my regular interest and a game that’s definitely recommended by conformists and non-conformists alike.