Review: MotoGP 08 (X360)

Throwing your leg over a motorcycle and twisting the throttle all the way through the gears down a long straightaway is something that can make the most abstinent drunk from adrenaline. There’s something special about racing motorcycles that no other motorsport can capture. The thrill of two wheeled terrorism through twisted tracks is unmatched by any other experience. Its unfortunate the latest version of MotoGP 08 by Capcom never got the memo on how exciting motorcycle racing can be.

Gameplay:

From the very first thoughtless menu to the very last checkered flag, MotoGP 08 throws mediocrity in your face at every turn. Selecting either a Quick Race of starting off on a Career are both equally as unrewarding as the next. One of the biggest thrills of motorsport racing games is the sense of accomplishment. Whether it be to collect additional vehicles to adorn your virtual garage, gain more cash than Bill Gates himself or obtain the amount of notoriety that would make Donald Trump blush, some time of carrot in front of the horse is needed to spur the gamer on for more. MotoGP 08 starts you off on 125cc bikes and sets you off on your Career. As you progress, you’ll unlock the preview of the next track. You’d better get used to this view because this is only view you’ll be seeing at the end of every single race you enter. No cameras flashing, no agents wanting you to sign with the next big team… nothing.

Choosing between Arcade, Advanced and Simulation offers a bit of spice to your racing style. Arcade gives you very forgiving controls yet still keeps a simulation type feel to the game. There wont be any 200 mile per hour turns at 90 degrees on this mode, but you wont topple over if you find yourself having a hard time controlling the thumb stick either. Advanced takes off your training wheels and riders who prefer a somewhat realistic but not punishing adaptation of life on two wheels will want to select this mode. Simulation is for the masochistic in nature who feel that brutal punishment lies around every turn.

Graphics:

MotoGP 08 falls drastically short on graphics. Not only is the presentation of the entire game lackluster at best, the environments are flat and forgetful. You’ll be riding a beautifully detailed motorcycle with an equally as gorgeous helmet and leather set, but at the end of the day, the visuals you experience wont be all that memorable from one track to the next. Gone are the days where blasting down the Twin Ring Motegi envoke visceral displays of concrete barriers buzzing by or staring down the daunting view of the corkscrew at Leguna Seca mean anything. Replaced are drab backgrounds, cardboard fans in the stands and lifeless menus before and after each race. The redeeming fact is that Capcom has captured the sense of speed and the difference in speed between the three classes.

Sound:

The sounds of the motorcycles are one area where the game shines. You can practically feel the frantic whine of the 250cc bikes topped out. The music throughout the game is entertaining but forgetful. Menu music is filled with that generic techno beat that wont leave any lasting impressions. Music in game is completely forgetful as it should be so you can focus on the frantic speeds in which you’re entering the turns.

Controls:

Controls never miss a beat here as they follow the same tried and true setup as most driving games out there. Slam the right trigger to go and hammer the left trigger to stop. All the while controlling your craft with the analog stick. Precise control over these commands become apparent in Simulation mode as easing onto the gas and brakes during the turns will mean success or failure depending on your mastery.

Conclusion:

What THQ had left when they abandoned the MotoGP series was a motorcycle racing game that was both exciting to play and exciting to look at. It appears that Capcom took the franchise over and pumped something out in time to call it 08 without putting a whole lot of time and effort into making it something great of their own. While MotoGP 08 is fun as a racer, it’s not very rewarding and doesn’t drive that collector instinct that most racers need to achieve. Think of playing Forza 2 without getting any cash or cars in you garage for your efforts. What if Project Gothom Racing 4 just gave you a preview of the next track after you successfully won the race as your prize? That’s the cheated feel you get from MotoGP 08 that ultimately spells its demise. The flat environments and dull menus can all be overlooked if the game itself gave the gamer a sense of fun and accomplishment. This is something that unfortunately fails in this year’s iteration.