GameSpot editors' review
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CNET editors' rating:
stars
Good
Detailed editors' rating
- Reviewed on: 11/05/2007
- Released on: 10/23/2007
- Originally published on GameSpot: MotoGP 07 (PlayStation 2) Review
Don't let the name fool you. This is not the PlayStation 2 debut of THQ and Climax's long-running and critically acclaimed motorcycle racing series. Capcom now has the MotoGP license, and the inaugural game of the series has now arrived with little fanfare and on a last-generation system. The relatively subdued debut aside, MotoGP 07 is a decent start for the series, one that overcomes its flat-out ugly graphics with plenty of challenge and a good sense of two-wheeled gusto.
Let's start with the bad news: This is an ugly game. With unattractive, indistinct textures and only so-so rider animations, this looks like a first-generation PS2 game (and sometimes, a last-generation PlayStation game). The tracks themselves feature plenty of detail--buildings, grandstands, paddock areas, and the like--in the backgrounds, which is OK, but all of it is rather drab and indistinct. Despite those shoddy graphics, the game has a decent frame rate, which is probably more important in a racing game anyway. Still, for those already accustomed to the high-definition era of gaming, MotoGP 07 will be a visual step back that will take some time to readjust to.
You'll need a good stretch longer to adjust to the challenge level in MotoGP 07. It's obvious that developer Milestone has gone for a more realistic and demanding version of motorcycle racing than Climax did with its relatively approachable game. In a racing genre that rewards smoothness every lap, the riding model in MotoGP 07 practically demands it. The game has two handling models, arcade and simulation. When playing in simulation mode, the main factor is wheelspin--it's extremely easy to get your rear tire spinning and smoking because you're turning in to a corner too late. In fact, when your rider is at the lowest point of a corner, with his knee just millimeters above the tarmac, giving the bike full throttle will more often than not result in your merely spinning your wheels, both literally and figuratively, and often wiping out in the process. As a result, you quickly learn to modulate your throttle for a smooth exit out of the turns. Anything less will cost you precious tenths (or more) from your lap time. Naturally, the arcade handling setting is more manageable, as it puts less of an emphasis on wheelspin out of the corners.
Despite the relatively demanding physics, the game's controls are easy to learn. Like any motorcycle game worth its salt, MotoGP 07 lets you control your front and rear brakes independently, and you can even assign the buttons on your PS2 controller to whatever setup you have in mind. Those who are more accustomed to automobile racing games can use the right analog stick for acceleration and braking, which works just fine. The game also features multiple camera angles to choose from in the race, from first-person views in the saddle to the more useful third-person views that give you a higher vantage point.
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Where to buy
MotoGP 07 (PlayStation 2):
$16.53 - $29.99
| store | price | in stock? | rating |
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$17.82 | Yes |
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$16.53 | No |
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$29.99 | Yes |
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