Moto GP 07 Xbox 360 Review
I remember playing the beta version of the first Moto GP for Xbox live. I also remember seeing plenty of gamers going the wrong way and the terrible crashes. Moto GP has been around for a long time and the series has seen a lot of improvements along the way. I know several racing fans that just don’t have the patience to play it and it is a tough game to master. I have crashed and burned several times and still need time to adjust to mastering the control of the bike to keep up with the AI racers.
Last year’s version offered a few new options including more customizations for paint jobs on the bikes. I have never had the patience to create the bikes I have seen online. So we now have Moto GP 07. Read on to see if it has new features or just relies on what worked in the past.
Gameplay
Moto GP 07 has a solid offline career mode, but the frustration level is still very high. Racing games vary on difficulty and racing on four wheels is a lot different than two wheels. You also need time to adjust to the controls with each new game. In fact you need to be in the right mind set to enjoy Moto GP if you really want to succeed. This is not a knock just facts. Moto GP has always had a steep learning curve. I enjoy the challenge and love bikes, but I even have a hard time getting used to the game each year.
This year they added more tracks, more weather changes, and a larger customization creator. The basic mode has not changed. You practice on a track then qualify and race trying to win points by the position you finish each race. You also earn point to buy attributes that increase your breaking, handling and other key points needed to hang with the pack leaders. Along with the carrier mode they also included the training sessions and challenges. I personally enjoy these events and they also help to teach the way the bikes handle. Unfortunately, this year the training consists of challenges and courses taking from the whole series and just seemed a bit out of place.
The AI is still tough and a bit odd. They seem to come out of nowhere to overtake you. They can recover from a crash quicker than you can and it feels at times like you’re racing with a handicap turned on. Of course this is nothing new. As last year the game suffered the same issues. The racers have been updated and all the top racers are in the game. In extreme mode you’ll notice unknown riders and even conceptual bikes added but I liked this. It also seems in the extreme mode you can pull off moves easier which is a little odd. I could power slide like a madman and not wind up eating the asphalt. Yet if I tried the same move in the other modes, I would crash without question. Maybe they wanted to make this mode a little more forgiving?
Single-player is a long one and they did throw in some new courses but it still has the feel and look of 06 which may turn off some fans. Moto GP is one of those titles that appeals to a certain group and it shows with this year’s game. It’s a solid game and well done, but I could not shake the feeling of been there done that.
Control
Moto GP has its own style of controls and while they have been tweaked over the years, they remain standard. You not only need to control the throttle and the bike you need to adjust your body at the right times. Once you get the hang of the controls, they work well but the learning curve is steep.
Even veterans of the game will need time to readjust to the breaking system and get used to making the right adjustments of breaking and speed. I personally would like to see the controls reworked, but that is part of the Moto GP feel and I think they keep it that way for a reason. The learning time will vary, but for most will average about 30-45 minutes for veterans and 1-2 hours for those just learning. Mastering the controls is another story and will take a long time. My main complaint in this year’s and last year’s games isn’t with the racing. It’s trying to use the customization and paint shop. I see some really sharp bikes out there, yet mine looks like a generic no named bike. I just find it hard to use and wish they would adjust it and make it easier to learn.
Xbox Live
Moto GP has always offered a solid online mode and they continue with this year’s game. Creating a lobby is easy. You can pick the weather, course and laps with ease. They added new modes and features that play up to the main strength of the tile. When not playing with a friend, like any game, you need to feel out the room. Some gamers take the game way too seriously and others just want a challenge from a human racer instead of the AI racers. I also noticed the slow down of last year has been adjusted for the online modes. This is a solid and well balanced online mode that really appeals to those who are long time fans of the series.
Graphics
This year you will notice if you have time to look around, while racing there are several planes and even jetfighters landing and taking off. I like the aerial coverage from the helicopters. All the bikes have incredible details and paint jobs and they fixed the sluggish slow down that hindered 06 at times. The game draws you in by the use of great graphics and with the sense of speed. Climax knows how to reproduce the effect flawlessly.
Audio
Here again the sound effects are dead-on down to each engine. They captured the little things like the wind of gears shifting and the crashes overall the audio is great and no complaints.
Replay Value
For those who want to race for pink slips and complete every level of racing, the replay is very high. It takes time to boost your attributes and this gives any gamer a reason to keep playing. While the training mode seems rehashed, the overall game is solid and the online mode is great. Die-Hard fans will get more replay value out of this one, but there is plenty for even those new to the series.
Bottom Line
Overall Score: 7.8/10.0
Additional Comments
The bottom line is simple. Moto GP 07 is made for Moto GP fans which makes sense. I still think the series would benefit from new modes and perhaps a new control system or option to draw in new fans as well. If you enjoy the series, you will love this one, but it’s a game made for fans. This is why I would also recommend those new to Moto GP take it for a test spin first by renting it. Anyone else will enjoy it, but it still has a small feel of been there done that before.
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Filed under: Reviews • Xbox 360
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