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| Reviewer | Platform | Publisher | Developer | Players | Screenshots |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Bailey | Xbox 360 | THQ | Climax | 1-4 (Split screen), 1-20 (System Link, Online) | Here |
| Requirements | Buy from Amazon.co.uk | ||||
| Xbox Live Gold membership for online play, Memory Unit or HDD space | Click here to buy MotoGP 06. | ||||
With the MotoGP season just recently coming to an end, it seems an appropriate time to look at the official game, and see what's in store for fans looking for some motorbiking action over the winter period. THQ and Climax's officially licensed game features all the stats and details of both the 2005 and 2006 seasons, available to select at your leisure. This is in contrast to its predecessor, MotoGP 3: URT which arrived on the Xbox and PC this time last year, containing just 2005 stats just as the season finished.
However, the earlier release and short gap between this and MotoGP 3 means Climax haven't given us a completely new edition. Instead, MotoGP 06 is essentially MotoGP 3 - Xbox 360 edition, and it's obvious right down to the identical menus and loading screens. They didn't know at the time of development, but this could be Climax's last gasp at a MotoGP title (their Racing studio having been sold to BVG), and compared to their usual stunning efforts, it makes you wonder whether they'll regret having put out such a relatively simple next-gen update.
That said, this shouldn't entirely distract from the fact that they still have what is essentially a very good game. Climax put in an awful lot of effort to make MotoGP 3 one of the best motorbike racing experiences to date, and so continuing with the same format for this edition is not really a bad thing. The gameplay remains true to form by offering something for both the hardcore and the newcomers. The series has always been approachable, and with a new generation of gamers that could be hooking in, it's good to see that motorbiking newbies such as myself don't ever find things too intimidating thanks to a range of helpful hints, and a rather good training mode. MotoGP junkies also have a lot to enjoy here; aside from the two seasons worth of licensed stats to tear through, as mentioned earlier, there's a lot of depth to provide an authentic experience. This ranges from the continuous qualifying sessions, complete with tense last minute track action where you can see your pole position slip away, to the technical changes that you can make to your bike. The career mode not only takes you through all the proper places with the real people of the sport, it actually allows you to become part of the action, as you send your own rider — with your own team, complete with bike design — through their paces, earning experience as you go.
While MotoGP itself is enough to keep you going for a long time, MotoGP 3 threw in another option which is present here; the Extreme Mode. Despite our normal aversion to anything called 'Extreme', the mode is actually rather good, and somewhat different. Available in different engine class options, Extreme Mode lets you experience street bike racing across a variety of specially designed street tracks. The bikes, and even the course surfaces, handle noticeably differently, while still retaining the feel of having a motorbike under your control. It does require completing a GP season in order to take it beyond the single race action — this is a game of many unlockables — but you'll probably find it worth the effort as a break from the professional action.
On top of this is the series' trademark integration with Xbox Live. The original MotoGP: URT on the Xbox was taken online via a special fully featured mode included in early Xbox Live starter packs. It was the game I was playing back when Live launched way back in November 2002, and the series' community has grown ever since then. There are usually plenty of games to find when you're looking to play online, though I did have trouble finding ranked ones. The races themselves have a range of options, are mostly lag-free (bar problems on your end), and now support 20 racers instead of 16, providing you with a full field. That integration, however, goes deeper to provide you with statistics on your performance on each course relative to others online, ala Project Gotham Racing 3. There's also Xbox Live options integrated into the career mode, allowing you to take your custom rider into the multiplayer arena in between season races. This was all in place on MotoGP 3, but of course, now you have the added benefit of some (rather difficult) achievements to unlock, as well as the integration of the new Xbox 360 toys like Gamer Cards.
Most of the effort put into bringing MotoGP 06 to the Xbox 360 seems to have gone into the graphics. While MotoGP 3 was by no means shabby looking, this new edition really does look rather polished, and contains a whole range of HD textures that you'll get to see a lot closer when you inevitably crash and burn. The riders have received a lot of attention, with imperfections that give them a lifelike quality, as well as plenty of detail in the clothing that adds to the overall realism. There is so much detail and clarity that the game even looks impressive when running on a 2m high screen at 720p through an HD projector.
| Graphics | They look polished, and certainly this is where most of the effort was concentrated. They're 'next-gen' though not pushing the bounds, but they are good for an early effort. | 8/10 |
|---|---|---|
| Gameplay | Enjoyable and easy to pick up, yet it provides plenty of depth for the hardcore fans to really enjoy themselves. | 9/10 |
| Value | The game packs in two seasons worth of data, an Extreme Mode which gives you the chance to sample some street racing, as well a comprehensive online mode to give you a rather complete package. However, it falls down in the fact that if you own MotoGP 3: URT on the Xbox then you've already experience all of this apart from the stats, and can pick it up for cheaper (even if it isn't currently Xbox 360-compatible). | 8/10 |
| Lifespan | The time it takes you to get through seasons depends on your commitment, including whether you take part in every available session. There's quite a lot to unlock, as well as Extreme Mode and some excellent online play to enjoy. | 9/10 |
| Audio | The revs of the engine scream out through a high quality audio system. In-game music isn't an issue on the 360 with options to load up your own tunes, though if you don't, the game's menu music will quickly get irritating. | 8/10 |
| Overall | MotoGP 06 is ultimately a thoroughly enjoyable game, and a recommendation to all fans of both the sport and racing games in general. But this recommendation depends on whether you're willing to spend more simply for better graphics, 2006 stats, and quite importantly, the ability to play the game on your 360. | 8/10 |
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