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If my demo time with MotoGP 2006 told me anything, it was that I might want to stick to my current career rather than setting out on a superbike racing career. In other words, MotoGP 2006 is about as hardcore as racing sims come, making it a dream for anyone who is really into superbike racing, or racing in general.
Braking is one of the most important aspects of MotoGP 2006, and the first you really need to master, or at least become extremely comfortable with, before going anywhere in the game. Of course, not braking at the correct time does provide you with an opportunity of seeing the game’s excellent physics engine at work – so there is a perk for constantly crashing, one I personally saw a lot of when I first started the demo. If you fail to hit the brakes at just the right time, you’ll find your rider flying off the bike one way as the bike continues moving another until it stops in the grass, hits a wall or hits other drivers. The latter is usually the more enjoyable ending, if for no other reason than to see the others fall too. Not knowing how to properly brake at the right time can also cost you when hitting small dips in the track or other hazards.
Visually, MotoGP 2006 looks great and makes good use of the 360’s hardware. Riders and bikes are well-crafted, as are the tracks. I noticed a few moments where the framerate became unstable, but this was usually when riders were bunched up and there was a lot going on in the environment. Moto GP 2006 also makes smart use of special effects, especially motion blur, to help push the sensation of speed.
MotoGP 2006 will offer the usual assortment of race types, including single event, grand prix and 16-player online racing.
MotoGP 2006 looks like its well on its way to being one of the Xbox 360’s premier racing titles. The game might not appeal to gamers looking for more of an arcade experience, but the hardcore racing fans will find a lot to like when the title ships later this summer. |
