Pros: Excellent gamplay, great graphics. Many unlockable items. Customization of Racer. Can play online (Xbox Live).
Cons: Sound could use just a little work. Frustrating at times.
The bottom line: Moto GP shows the reality of racing. The Gamplay proves worthy creating constant Entertainment. Oh did I mention you can play online?
  Racing games have gone a long way since the original systems then on through the ages. The reality of racing down a road going two hundred miles per hour can sometimes send little cold needle pricks shooting down your spine as you imagine the force of your speed sending you forward as you cut through the barrier of time. Nothing stands in the way of you or your vehicle, except for the rushing of air and the might of gravity. The feeling of freedom passes over and over through your mind as you say to your self in such amazement, “this is my road, no one can pass me, this is my road, NO ONE can pass me.”

  It sounds entertaining doesn’t it? That is the feeling that you get as you race through the game in Moto GP, speeding on down through the various tracks, only to discover the secrets of the next level. Moto GP sends a sort of vibration through your head as you watch the little lines on the side of the road pass you at full speed. Tunnel vision begins to set in. Next thing you know you are riding along side the dirt. Your speedometer decreases little by little as the other racers pass you, one by one, until you must plead to get back to the top. Yes that is the feeling of difficulty and competition; that is the feeling that most of us like to see in a game, the chance to show who is boss.

  Moto GP can be both easy and aggravating. You will struggle to get to the next level, trying your hardest to get to the top positions and to move on to the next opportunity that awaits you.

  Moto GP stands for Motorcycle Grand Prix. The name says it all. You race through ten of the most famous race tracks in the world in various countries. Broad training modes teach you the tricks of the trade so you can race some of the best racers in a fight to the finish. Season and arcade modes let you play the type of racing game that fits you best.

  Weather effects make racing difficult. Whether it’s sliding through the wetness during rain or racing blindly in fog, you will strive to make it to the finish, alive. Day, dusk, and night will haunt you through the levels. As the day gets darker, the track gets harder. There are many unlockable items which include bikes, uniforms, or levels; its all there to feed your hunger. The game also features split-screen play and system-link play. With purchase of the Xbox Live Starter Kit, you will have full access to play Moto GP online using the Starter Disc which I will blabber about more near the end of this review.


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D i f f i c u l t y :
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  Moto GP starts off slow. As you race for the first time you will find it difficult to beat the merciless AI. Moto GP is a game that takes an hour or so of playing to get the feel for the frenzy. Making turns will seem almost impossible without some beginner’s training. Controls are great which lower the difficulty to a halt. Once you have the controls down, and you have the feel for the movement, you will kick some serious “booty”.


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G a m e p l a y :
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  The gameplay of Moto GP features options that you sometimes only dream of in a racing type game. It includes both arcade and simulation modes so gamers everywhere can find the type of play that suits them best. While in arcade mode, you will be performing some of the best stunts to earn points, such as: pulling off wheelies, burnouts, and endos. It’s all fun and game, right? Unlockable items can be opened while performing these stunts in arcade mode; just another way to advance. Not all of the unlockable items are opened through the arcade modes. Tracks, new leathers (uniforms), movies, and bikes are unlocked by completing the training and the Grand Prix Championships. The training can be difficult at first and will take a while to get used to it. The Grand Prix Championships are the sole mode in the game; this is where it all happens; this is where you will race with the pesky A.I. for ownership of the road.

  Your progression through this game is determined by your attributes. The stats include, cornering, braking, top speed, and acceleration. You will need to accomplish various tasks to raise these attributes. You can raise them by doing the following: top placing in the races, earning points in the arcade mode, and completing the twenty given training courses (five levels for each attribute). In the Grand Prix (GP) Championship mode you will be required to create a rider. Creating a rider requires three processes; first, you will need to enter your name as well as your initials (initials will be shown on the back of the rider’s leathers for all to see); second, you will need to customize your bike by choosing your brand of bike along with customizing the colors; third, you will need to choose your leathers as well as customizing the colors. The level of the four attributes will be low at first. Have patience and soon you will be the master.

  There is a wide variety of customization to toggle with. There are over a dozen bikes and leathers to choose from, and 160 different colors to choose from so you can customize your racer to fit your individual type of style.


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C o n t r o l s :
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  Modo GP includes some outstanding camera views. From a 1st person to a 3rd person view, its all there. From a behind the windshield view to a behind the rider bird’s eye type of view, you will be confused as to which angle you like the best.

  The button configurations are excellent. Default configuration uses a strategic layout to help you control your bike easily. The “A” button is used for acceleration, “B” is used for a rear view, “X” is used as your break, “Y” is used to change camera angles, and finally you have your “L” trigger and the “R” trigger. “L” is used for rear wheel break while “R” is used for your front wheel break. The controls are completely changeable so you can fit them to your liking.

  You will need to memorize the tracks. You need to be able to pin point every turn and the degree you will have to turn in order to make the turn without running into the dirt or grass, which will cause you to slow your speed. All is vital in order to succeed, especially at a higher difficulty level. Learn the controls well and memorize the tracks and you will become supreme.


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G r a p h i c s :
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  Moto GP features excellent bump mapping, textures, and lighting effects. The sky color changes through the times of day. From a deep blue color during the day to a husky red color at dawn, then on to a dark grayish blue of night. Clouds and thunder strike the skies during a storm. Watch as the clouds flash when lightning strikes. As you near up to a rider in front of you, water sprays at full speed creating water droplets on the screen. The closer you approach, the more droplets appear. Ride through the rain as it washes off all signs off dirt on your tires after a mistake you took at the last turn, sending you and your bike into the dirt. Watch as your tires create skid marks on the road only to see them again as you pass them on the next lap.

  Riders have their share in the graphics of this game. Watch them as they shake their fists if you get cut off, as their hands move down as you accelerate, or as their feet push down on the clutch as you switch gears.

  The game proves itself in all that it is capable of. The graphics show an impressing nature of gameplay that will lead gamers to want more and more.


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S o u n d :
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  The sound isn’t the best part of the game but it does prove itself very worthy. Sound changes as you change cameras views. You can hear the sound of another racer as it whizzes by you, growing loud, and then decaying as it passes you off in the distance. The crowd grows wild as you pass the spectator stands. You can here the thunder as the lightning strikes, or the sound of rain drops hitting the pavement in a storm.

  Moto GP has the ability to play your soundtracks that you saved on to your Xbox Hard Disk creating a feeling of relaxation as you play the music you like best, while discarding the default soundtracks included in the game.


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M u l t i p l a y e r :
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  Multiplayer is as typical as other racing type games. You have the ability to play over split-screen with four players, or over system link with up to 16 players. This is all you need in a multiplayer game to further your ego.


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O n l i n e :
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  This is the best aspect of Moto GP. You do not have access to play Moto GP over Xbox Live with the purchase of the regular game. You will need to buy the Xbox Starter Kit to play the Moto GP Online demo that is included on the Starter Disc.

  The demo is not actually a demo, rather it’s a full online feature addition to the actual game itself. Purchase the regular game to unlock the levels and to raise your four attributes so you can surpass the power of the other online opponents. Show them who’s bike is better, and who’s skills prove worthy to finish first. Save your bike to the hard disk then insert the starter disc. When you log on, select your bike and begin the rampage.

  You can play through a Quick Match or Optimatch. Quick Match will select a random lobby with players who are ready to start a race. Join them and let the frenzy begin. Select Optimatch to customize the search to your liking. Pick what level you like, what difficulty you prefer, whether you want rain, or clear day. Its up to you, select, then search.

  Also you will have a chance to gain points just as you would in the GP Championship. Place in the top and gain more points then those below you. Trust me, it feels good to have your Xbox Live Gamertag name at the top of the other 20 people who are playing with you at that time.


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O v e r a l l :
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  Moto GP is a winner. It is by far one of the best racing type games I have played. Graphics are beautiful, gameplay is great, and the controls are comfortable.



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S p e c i f i c a t i o n s :
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Publisher: THQ
Developer: Climax
Genre: Racing
Players: 4
Release date: May 14, 2002