Motogp 08

MOTOGP 08

CW EVALUATION

Same name, new game

SKILL, FOCUS, A COMPETITIVE MOTORcycle and good fortune are all key ingredients needed to stand atop the podium in real-life MotoGP racing. Those same principles, as well as finger dexterity, apply when vying for a pole, race win or the long road to world-champion status in MotoGP 08, the latest video game that promises to deliver an accurate virtual experience of the sport’s premier class.

News of veteran video-game publisher Capcom acquiring an exclusive five-year license to produce the official MotoGP game across all console platforms, in addition to the PC market, sparked strong

interest within the gaming community. We asked CW's resident gamer, Road Test Editor Don Canet, to take a copy designed for the Xbox 360 for a spin. With real-life experience on 125, 250, 500cc and MotoGP machinery, as well as plenty of laps around 10 of the 18 circuits modeled in MotoGP 08, Canet has insight that extends far beyond that of the typical game reviewer.

While previous MotoGP iterations provided highly unrealistic game play and arcade-like bike control, Canet noted that most actual sport riders will readily recognize the progress CapconTs development team achieved in creating far more true-to-life handling properties. Gone are the lurid “Tokyo drift” corner exits, replaced by realistic slip-n-grip rear-tire antics and convincing thresholdof-traction animation.

Along with a challenging Simulation mode, Beginner and Advanced difficulty levels offer CPU assist to ease the learning curve as steering and throttle finesse come up to speed. While Simulation requires delicate use of the front brake while trail-braking to avoid washing out the front tire, Beginner and Advanced allow ham-fisted mid-corner stabs at the lever to correct errors in line choice.

Career mode starts off in a second-tier 125cc team, with good results allowing advancement to a 250cc or MotoGP ride for as many as four subsequent seasons. With progress come performance upgrades, making for a more competitive

mount. Quick Race, Championship (single season), Time Attack or multiplayer online modes allow gamers to jump straight into Valentino Rossi’s leathers. Challenges offer 50 unique tests, such as nursing home Nicky Hayden’s Honda RC212V with severely worn brake pads. How did HRC allow that?

While MotoGP 08 easily passes tech inspection, there is room for improvement, mostly in its bare-bones presentation and minor inaccuracies in track modeling. Members of the gaming community have bashed Capcom for omitting previous features, such as hooligan bikes ridden on fantasy street circuits or customization of bike and rider graphics. But, as Canet pointed out, does Madden NFL 09 offer citypark play or the option of dressing the Green Bay Packers in pink uniforms? No, and naked streetbikes have no place in a game that honestly represents MotoGP, its competitors and the tracks on which they race. Kudos, Capcom.

DETAILS

Capcom Entertainment, Inc.

800 Concar Dr. #300 San Mateo, CA 94402 Phone: 650/350-6500 www.capcom.com Price...$60

Àjps

A Wicked wobbles and headshake A Seven camera angles, including trio of first-person views A Fluid frame rate in spite of highly detailed visuals and full grids

’fb owns

▼ Post-race stats don’t include lap times

▼ Overly simplistic bike setup options

▼ Computer-controlled opponents run in ridiculous swarms