Review "MotoGP 08" (Game)
Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2008 3:06 pm
Up until recently there were two companies bidding for the rights to turn the MotoGP into a game. These two companies are Capcom (Playstation) and THQ (PC and Xbox). Both companies had the right, and therefore distributed the game with the title "MotoGP 07" last year, leading to confusion when discussion a game which was completely different on the different platforms. This situation has now been resolved, Capcom finalised a deal that allows them to release the 2008 MotoGP season for Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, PC, PS2 and mobiles. (previously THQ had the rights for several platforms, including Playstation).
I was hesitant in getting MotoGP'08 mostly because in my humble opinion, MotoGP'07 (by THQ) was not a terribly good riding game, the AI (artificial intelegence) players were too stupid in "easy" mode, too slow in "medium" mode and impossibly hard in "hard" mode. The bikes were hard to control by default and you had to dumb the game down to make it enjoyable... I also found that it was hard to guage distance easily in GP'07 and was continually crashing because I was going too fast, or almost coming to a stop before the corners.
I am glad to say that I was very impressed immediately by the Capcom version of the game, right from the bat I found the bikes easier to control, their engine (the basis of their program) seemed to make depth perception easier and the AI players on "Medium" seem to play only slightly better than me. I also found that my "point and shoot" technique that I used in 07 was not able to be used... I had to use smooth lines around corners to get around the track faster, to pass players I have to dive on the inside, or round them up... I couldnt just stay behind them until I reached a straight.. in fact it was just like actually racing (not that I have actually raced, but I have done some track days so I get the gist).
As for the graphics.... THQ's engine and Capcom's engine look very similar and I am sure that THQ would have had the same advances that we are seeing from Capcom's offering. They make great use of lighting effects, specular effects and mirroring.
As for the game itself, it ofcourse includes the 125cc and 250cc classes as well as the MotoGP class (personally I enjoy the 125cc the most for some reason), has all the helmet designs that the different riders use as well as some extras, you can ride the bike belonging to ANY rider from any class (ofcourse only in the class it belongs to). You can have a quick race with any bike, or you can do a championship. You can even follow a career path right from the beginning to the end, starting in the 125cc class and working hard to get sponsorship to get to MotoGP class. So it has a bit that everyone likes.
One additional feature that Capcom provides that I dont remember THQ having is "bike upgrades", by getting more championship points you can improve your bike. The parts are not listed, but you can increase top speed, acceleration or traction. They seem to be very minor upgrades though, so dont expect to suddenly out accelerate everyone by a lot.
Ofcourse you can do wheelies. You can even pause the game to take photos from any angle. (I know, its a gimmick, but still). You also have the option to view your racing from lots of angles, including cockpit views. Most of them make the game very hard to play though.
If you are planning to play this game on a PC, I would HIGHLY recommend getting either a joystick or a game controller. Personally I have a Logitech game controller that looks identical to a PS2 controller and just plugs into the USB port. The game picks this up and by default it works (roughly $30-$40 for a cheap one, you can get a "force feedback" controller for more).
I was hesitant in getting MotoGP'08 mostly because in my humble opinion, MotoGP'07 (by THQ) was not a terribly good riding game, the AI (artificial intelegence) players were too stupid in "easy" mode, too slow in "medium" mode and impossibly hard in "hard" mode. The bikes were hard to control by default and you had to dumb the game down to make it enjoyable... I also found that it was hard to guage distance easily in GP'07 and was continually crashing because I was going too fast, or almost coming to a stop before the corners.
I am glad to say that I was very impressed immediately by the Capcom version of the game, right from the bat I found the bikes easier to control, their engine (the basis of their program) seemed to make depth perception easier and the AI players on "Medium" seem to play only slightly better than me. I also found that my "point and shoot" technique that I used in 07 was not able to be used... I had to use smooth lines around corners to get around the track faster, to pass players I have to dive on the inside, or round them up... I couldnt just stay behind them until I reached a straight.. in fact it was just like actually racing (not that I have actually raced, but I have done some track days so I get the gist).
As for the graphics.... THQ's engine and Capcom's engine look very similar and I am sure that THQ would have had the same advances that we are seeing from Capcom's offering. They make great use of lighting effects, specular effects and mirroring.
- A screenshot of the Kwaka bike (using Hopkins as a rider). This is a night race (hence you can tell its 2008)
- rac2.jpg (63 KiB) Viewed 535 times
As for the game itself, it ofcourse includes the 125cc and 250cc classes as well as the MotoGP class (personally I enjoy the 125cc the most for some reason), has all the helmet designs that the different riders use as well as some extras, you can ride the bike belonging to ANY rider from any class (ofcourse only in the class it belongs to). You can have a quick race with any bike, or you can do a championship. You can even follow a career path right from the beginning to the end, starting in the 125cc class and working hard to get sponsorship to get to MotoGP class. So it has a bit that everyone likes.
One additional feature that Capcom provides that I dont remember THQ having is "bike upgrades", by getting more championship points you can improve your bike. The parts are not listed, but you can increase top speed, acceleration or traction. They seem to be very minor upgrades though, so dont expect to suddenly out accelerate everyone by a lot.
- Ofcourse you can do wheelies. You can even pause the game to take photos from any angle. (I know, its a gimmick, but still).
- Hopkins1.jpg (65.35 KiB) Viewed 535 times
- Try switching the experience level to "simulator" and spend all your time picking up from crashes.
- 125crash.jpg (56.55 KiB) Viewed 535 times
- I still havent found a game that gets the engine noise right :(
- rac1.jpg (82.81 KiB) Viewed 535 times
some rounds are really friggin hard!