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MotoGP 06 - Hands On Preview
Jon Wilcox
02/05/2006
TVG takes to the track at a blistering pace in this hands on preview of THQ's Xbox 360 racer...
Having already made their arrival on Xbox 360 with The Outfit, THQ's next foray into the next-generation is a new instalment in the MotoGP franchise. With a number of screenshots already making the title look a thoroughly enticing next-gen prospect, it was with some anticipation that TVG took to the track and put the latest preview build through a test run.
For newcomers to the franchise, MotoGP 06 looks set to offer a five-stage training mode, developing their skills essential for a successful 'career' in the game. Covering everything from basic bike control and cornering techniques, through to performing wheelies and completing slaloms, this mode looks set to provide a well-rounded learning curve essential for mastering the art of racing motorcycles and easing the typical frustrations. That said the mode wasn't fully functional in the preview build that we had access to, due to the invisible cones that hindered our performances, but when fully realised it's sure to offer a solid foundation in how to race on two wheels.
Aside from the Training mode (argh - invisible cones!) the single-player modes in MotoGP 06 are pretty much as you'd expect from a racing title with Quick Race modes allowing gamers to race at any track on any bike as any rider; a more substantial Career mode that takes in the seventeen GPs in the season; and a Time Trial mode that...well, you know the rest. Four different championships are available in the game from the standard Grand Prix through to three 'Extreme' tournaments: Extreme 600, Extreme 1000, and Extreme 1200. Set in 17 locations near the official tracks, the three more powerful championships are initially unlocked in the career mode although players will be able to get a sample of what to expect by taking a Quick Race and selecting the extreme track of their choice. In addition players will also be able to select one of two race seasons to participate in, 2005 or 2006; although the fact that the game has to restart in order for a season change to take effect is a little annoying and will hopefully be looked at ahead of launch. So what difference does playing one season have over another? Overall very little, although obviously riders may be with different teams and liveries will undergo a colour change.
A good, well grounded selection of modes we're sure you'd agree, but it's when you delve deeper into MotoGP 06 that one gem in particular begins to shine. Introducing a Challenge Mode into the main bulk of the MotoGP calendar is one way that Climax have tried to add more variety to the standard Practice, Qualify, Race recipe. At every race meet, players will be able play through a number of track specific challenges that aren't tied to their race performances. For instance, the Spanish track at Jerez features a 'Speed Test' where players have to reach a certain speed just after the Parilla curve, whilst others including Le Mans has a 'Follow the Leader' test where riders have to complete a lap behind a MotoGP racer and finish within one second behind them. Definitely challenging, so at least it isn't just a pretty name, the Challenge mode adds that little bit of 'PGR' to the proceedings. More than just added variety, the challenges also help develop the career of the player's rider with several skill points up for grabs, which can then be spent on a number of key racer attributes such as Acceleration, Top Speed, Cornering, and Braking. Such advancements are sure to be key when it comes to taking MotoGP 06 online against other racers. Players will also be able to improve their 'rank' from an initial one hundred through to number one by beating AI of equal or higher skill; besides unlocking a number of achievements, the rank may also be one way for Xbox Live matchmaking to occur.
Key to its success on the current-generation Xbox was the MotoGP franchise's Xbox Live functions, which in the previous incarnation also featured a Commentary mode allowing gamers to do a Murray Walker (or at least attempt such a feat), although going through the list of voice chat options it does appear that the mode won't be included in this Xbox 360 debut. There will however be plenty on offer for gamers to complete in, including ranked races, and whole championships, with the ability to take part in the typical Practice/Qualify/Race system allowing for a true race day feel. MotoGP 06 will also feature a Stunt Mode, which will award points for wheelies and other stunts. As with previous titles up to 16 players will be able to take part on Xbox Live with AI also included so the race won't feel empty. Besides reverse track races, and the aforementioned Stunt Mode, a 'Tag' mode will also be available on Live. Similar to Bizarre's PGR series, the mode sees a particular track corner get tagged once a player gets the fastest time around it; sure to be a place for many tense races to take place at the end of June. Twenty-four Xbox 360 Achievements are included in the game and look set to provide an even spread of online and offline goals for players to go for.
As with the previous titles in the series, there's a real sense of immediacy and responsiveness to the controls, which helps to create a strong and almost tangible sense of immersion. Even in this build it does seem that Climax have hit the nail on the head once again, and any further tweaks to the control system will only serve to refine the overall experience. Front and rear wheel braking is mapped to the trigger buttons, allowing for accurate control into corners, with rider weight distribution and bike position obviously important considerations if players are to gain that extra split second time. If you're new to the franchise, then it's probably worth noting that MotoGP isn't the sort of game you can sit down and win the championship at the first attempt (unless you're the type of person who enjoys the "easy" settings). The handling of the bike, its physical dynamics, and adapting to different weather conditions such as the extremely slippery rain, differs completely to other racing titles purely because of two missing wheels. In other words, the chances are that newcomers will find it difficult not to fall off on a number of occasions during the first few races; frustrating for some perhaps, but at least it will give players the chance to see some of the most painful looking crash and tumble sequences you're ever likely to see in a videogame.
But it's not just the crashes that look stunning, the game as a whole (even at this stage) is an extraordinary looking title thanks to high quality models, animations, and visual effects. There's a strong use of HDR lighting (which THQ admits is something that needs addressing during certain races) throughout the game, which really does add that extra layer of photo-realism, and with the shaders used on the various textures such as the racing leathers MotoGP 06 is certainly visually shaping up to be of the next-generation standard we expect. Rider animations, including the odd fist shaking the air when near-collisions occur, help to give the NPC riders a sense of character (although it's probably not that advisable to take one hand off the bike when you're travelling at nearly 200mph.) There are the occasion frame rate issues, though like the other 'flaws', it's been already identified by THQ and shouldn't arise in the final game. Even so, the build allows you get a strong understanding of how smooth the game runs, and won't cause too many irate fanboys from questioning the frame rate in forums across the globe.
Players will of course be able to change the race setup of the bike from the type of tyre compound on each wheel through to gear ratios and suspension hardness. Rider and bike customisations are also in the game with players able to create their own multi-layer logos for both the bike itself and the rider, and with up to twenty helmet designs and ten different types of leathers to choose from, gamers are sure to come up with their own unique MotoGP racer. When it comes to designing a logo for their bikes, players will have a lot of scope with up to ten layers to build up a complete picture, a number of shapes and 'clip art' to choose from, and of course the ability to re-size, rotate, and re-colour, will be included.
