MotoGP 08 Preview

The MotoGP series has long been a staple in the racing genre, offering realistic handling and a Grand Prix experience on motorcycles. After years of changing publisher hands, the MotoGP series falls into the hands of Capcom, who are prepping MotoGP 08 for launch on the Xbox 360 this October. GameZone was recently given a crack at early preview code for the game, and the result is what you’ve come to expect from the series, namely realistic racing mechanics geared for hardcore MotoGP fans.

If you’ve played a previous MotoGP title, then you should know what you’ll find in MotoGP 08. The game allows you to enter the world of professional motorcycle racing, creating a player in the career mode and choosing from several different bikes as you get started. At first, you’ll only be able to select from three different motorcycles, but as you progress through the career, you’ll be able to unlock more bikes, as well as helmets for your racer. Advanced users will also be able to tweak their bike to their own specific racing style.

Aside from the career mode, you’ll also be able to race through a Championship mode, which works as a full season of races through a variety of real-world tracks in places like Qatar.

In order to bring in more than just the series’ vets for this iteration of the series, the game will include three different driving mechanics: Arcade, Advanced, and Simulation. In the Arcade mode, the game will stabilize your bike for you and make controlling it a lot easier, making it a good fit for newcomers and racing newbies, while the Advanced and Simulation modes are more geared towards experienced racers.

Another way for newcomers to get into the game is through the tutorial system. The game’s robust tutorial system will actually assess your racing habits and give you pointers on where you need improvement. This added feature not only helps newcomers, but can be a big help to seasoned pros looking to shave some seconds off of their best time.

MotoGP 08 looks pretty good graphically, with detailed bike models and impressive looking track effects, like a nice looking rain-slick effect on wet courses. The sound effects are decent, but pretty sparse aside from some engine sounds and menu music.

MotoGP 08 is shaping up to be the meticulously realistic racer that fans of the series have come to know and love. Look for it to launch next month.