MotoGP 08 Preview

E3 2008 Preview

By now you've likely heard of the MotoGP series. If you play it every time a new one is released, the news of MotoGP 08 -- a modest stat and gameplay upgrade from the last edition -- should be as beautiful as the sound of a revving motorcycle engine. This new version offers updated driver stats and a couple new courses. But that's to be expected and only appeals to its existing hardcore audience. The new arcade mode, however, is geared at making MotoGP accessible to everyone. Yes, "accessibility" is a word developers throw around a lot these days. But how can you fault them when they get it right?

Only one course was shown at this year's E3, and it came straight from the arcade mode. The courses will be the same across the board, however, the gameplay will not. In arcade mode, players are less likely to fall off their bikes. After falling behind you'll notice that many opponents automatically downgrade their perfect-driving status to make room for the player to catch up. Rounding a tight corner is still a challenge, but falling off your bike doesn't mean the end of the world. And if you don't fall off but merely skid past the track a little, the game is even more forgiving.

This doesn't mean the arcade mode will be a cakewalk. But if you want the real, full-fledged challenge of MotoGP 08, you're going to have to play through the simulation mode, which was described as the traditional gameplay for MotoGP 08.

The graphics looked decent but weren't quite there yet. The frame rate, however, appears to be ready to go. In my brief time with the game, it didn't freak out once. This is extremely noteworthy since most E3 demos, especially those for games not due until fall, have a frame rate issue or two. If the developers can refine each course to this level (and maybe push it a little further just to be safe -- you never know what a gamer might do that could crash the frames), the final product will be ready for the finish line. That being the case, only one question remains: will you be ready?

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