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Moto GP 2 Review
Mark Simons
00/12/0000
Does this racing sequel FROM Namco take the chequered flag or get left stalled on the grid?
Moto GP 2 is Namcoâs follow up to their arcade port PlayStation2 launch title and offers a refined motorbike experience. Rather than breaking new ground this sequel is more of an exercise in tweaking the game to fix the inadequacies that were present first time around.
The format of Moto GP 2 is rather standard fare with Arcade, Season and Challenge modes available from the start. Arcade is exactly what you would expect, choose a bike, course, weather, number of laps and head out onto the track for a one off race starting from the back of the grid. This is good for learning the courses and getting used to the bikes and experimenting with tweaking the settings that you are able to access.
Racing over a whole season is a bit more involved as you can progress through a number of years if you make a points quota for the season. The implementation of this is standard with no experimentation with getting you more involved in the team and personality aspects of racing. The riders, bikes and teams are all up to date with the current Moto GP season meaning over 20 real life riders and a dozen teams. When you go to each race meet you have the expected choices of practice, qualifying and racing. At any point you can tinker with the settings of the bike to take into account the course or your own preferences. Whilst the standard season mode is well implemented with a slick presentation it would have been nice to see Namco trying to push the envelope as say Codemasters are doing with Toca Race Driver as we get the feeling the proverbial bar is about to be raised.
The challenge mode is a nice inclusion, over 70 challenges that range from racing specific sections of track to meeting certain parameters when winning races in various gameplay modes. Completing the challenges unlocks things such as photographs from the world of Moto GP and things more directly related to the game such as extra riders and courses. Given the number of tasks the challenge mode should keep fans of the game interested for quite a while. It would have been nice however to say have this integrated with a training mode as it can be rather hard to get to grips with the dynamic of motorbike racing for someone new to the game. As an additional extra this is a nice little mode and will keep you occupied for quite a while.
When you get out on the track you will see how Namco have produced a rather good motorcycle game. The standard arcade handling is rather forgiving and pretty much the only way you can dismount your rider is by crashing into walls or the other racers. The sensation of speed is excellent and the use of analogue steering as well as braking and accelerating using the buttons is really well done. Given how gradual application of the throttle and brake are vital to winning races it is very satisfying to use the analogue features of the PlayStation2 buttons to their potential. When you race in the wet besides looking absolutely amazing thanks to some great visual effects you have to be extra sensitive with your throttle control and steering. You also need a good knowledge of the courses as your visibility is hampered somewhat, however it is hugely satisfying to race well in the rain.
Whilst slanted heavily towards the arcade side of things Moto GP2 does feature a simulation mode although it is not quite a totally realistic experience. When in simulation mode you have to be spot on with your cornering meaning getting your braking distance spot on and riding the throttle just right as you turn. Get it wrong and you will fall off in a rather undignified manner from your bike. This seems to be about the extent of it, things such as starts and the general control of a hugely powerful and twitchy machine seem not too different from the standard arcade mode. This is essentially an expert mode rather than a totally accurate simulation of motorcycle racing, however for the majority of gamers this is tricky enough as it is.
Presentation wise Namco have done a wonderful job, as we mentioned the rain effect is stunning. When youâre racing it makes the game look very close to real life, itâs uncanny, in the replay mode you get treated to some lovely refracting raindrops on the camera that change in size due to the focus effect being applied at that time. When racing during the day you can see, well, to the horizon pretty much, there is no pop up at all and no slow down in framerate. This is with all trackside things such as fans, television crews and teams packing the outside. Lighting and the sky are spot on; the clouds are very nicely done and just look well, real, pretty much. Riders and bikes are very nicely detailed, modelled with a generous amount of polygons despite being up to 21 of them on screen. There are some nice reflection effects on the racers as well, which are very noticeable when they turn low in the corners over the rumble strips. With a much appreciated widescreen mode, a high sensation of speed and some very realistic graphics that are crisp and clean Moto GP 2 looks impressive when you race and you feel a great sense of immersion.
Things get even better in the replay mode where Namco show off one of the best heat-haze effects we have seen â“ theyâve accurately modelled the mirage reflection effects that you see in the distance on hot days, which just adds so much to the realism level. Small effects such as the haze and camera focus with the huge draw distance and attention to detail produce a highly realistic replay mode. Throw in some great camera angles â“ thereâs nothing like a camera situated in a rumble strip that shakes as the riders speed past â“ and you have an excellent way to view your track glories.
Coupled with the graphics you have some solid sound effects with the engine sounds being accurate â“ as far as our experience with these things tells us â“ and the other effects such as tyre screeches and the roar of the crowd are well done. The music is not quite so good, it could be a matter of taste but the tunes that Namco provide just donât seem that great. Mood wise they fit the pace of the game, but the dance tunes are just not that good, although given a choice between this and soft rock, weâd plump for this every time.
