Review: Moto GP 08

[EvilSpaghetti]

Moto GP 08
Mobile Game Review

Title: Moto GP 08
Developer: In-house
Publisher: I-Play
Release Date: 14/8/08
Format: J2ME
Game Features: Real tracks, Real Racers, Real Bikes.
Reviewed on: SE K800i

moto_gp_logo.jpg

Summary

The entirely new Moto GP game is the most advanced motorbike racing game ever created on mobile. The revolutionary new game engine will let you immerse yourself as one of the most fearless and skilful motorbike rider on the planet. Its advanced AI will challenge you all along the 18 Grand Prix of the 2008 season. The excellent physics of the bike makes it easy to pick up but difficult to master. Moto GP 08 is the ultimate simulation that will plunge into the thrilling world of Moto GP.

Review

Review time and this time I put Moto GP 08 through its paces, no real reason why I decided to review this game, just that well, we’ve reviewed three car based racing games, and I wanted to see how a motorbike based racing game compares.

Now I know many amongst the Mobiles24 community have been craving for 3D visuals and top class mobile graphics, well you aren’t gonna get them here, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing, what I’m trying to say here is this game runs perfectly, no slowdown, no annoying camera angles, so they’ve sacrificed the graphics a little... To be perfectly honest with you, I don’t care one bit, because when you’ve got a game that runs a smooth and as well as Moto GP 08, you just don’t.
I said I was going to compare this to car base racing games, well here’s where Moto GP 08 comes out on top, if you’ve ever played NFS Pro Street, Asphalt or GRID, there doesn’t seem to be any sense of speed, you don’t feel as if you’re going fast, but in Moto GP you get that, you get the sense of speed, and they convey this in the races themselves, which with 18 bikes in each race you can expect a very eventful race, like me you’ll probably find yourself being overtaken quite a few times in a race, even with the smallest mistake you’ll soon seen a fellow racer fly by, don’t worry It happens to the best of us... Anyway... if you do manage to pull off some nice cornering you’ll soon find yourself making your way back through the pack. The Tracks themselves are made up of real tracks that are raced through out the Moto GP season, I’m going to be honest here, I don’t know any of the name, but then again I’m not the biggest fan of Moto GP, well I’m not a fan of Moto GP at all, not one bit, but I have done my research, and yes they are real tracks in real places, so graphically you can’t really tell the differences between each track, however they are fun, and offer different experiences.
I’m not going to say that the races are that hard, because they’re aren’t, in fact they’re quite easy, e.g. say you have a really bad first lap, you could still easily win the race if you have a good second lap, oh yeah all the races are two laps each, so if you have a bad first lap and a bad second lap... just restart the race. Overtaking really isn’t that hard, which was a bit of a disappointment for me, because I like a challenge, for some reason for which I don’t know all the racers like to stick together in the race, making it really easy to gain a few places. But if you want to win you have to be consistent when it comes to breaking and cornering, break too late or too early, you’ll find yourself being passed in the corners, so breaking just before the corner is key, and using boost on the straights will help you win races, but don’t worry if this doesn’t work at first, because after 10 minutes of racing it soon becomes second nature.
Playing this game, I dunno, it seems like a classic arcade game graphically and gameplay wise, reminds me a bit like Road Rash 2 on the Sega Genesis, and no you can’t hit the other drivers off their bikes, what I mean is that it’s a good fun arcade racer. It somehow feels as I-Play have designed this game help gain new fans for the sport, with its arcade styling, but keeping its hardcore fans pleased with its well known tracks, bikes and racers.

Conclusion

So Moto GP 08 isn’t the best looking game of the year, but when it runs and plays so well, it doesn’t matter, it’s a fun, arcade style racer, and most likely the best racer I’ve played on my mobile, yes even better than Asphalt, well maybe not, but it sure is better than Asphalt 4, let’s just say it’s the best racer I’ve played since Asphalt 3.

Screenshots

MotoGP_Screenshot1_CS_DA_DE_EN_ES_FR_GR_HE_HU_IT_NL_PT-BR_PT-PT_RO_SV_US_176x208.gifMotoGP_Screenshot2_CS_DA_DE_EN_ES_FR_GR_HE_HU_IT_NL_PT-BR_PT-PT_RO_SV_US_176x208.gifMotoGP_Screenshot3_CS_DA_DE_EN_ES_FR_GR_HE_HU_IT_NL_PT-BR_PT-PT_RO_SV_US_176x208.gif

Graphics: 7/10
Not great but they help the game run very well.

Sound: 8/10
Good sound effects

Gameplay: 9/10
Fun and Fast

Story: 8/10
Not really a story more of a race season, but it works.

Overall Score: 8.5 out of 10

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[Alan1812]

I think that Pro Moto Racing from Gameloft is better than this game. Both are in 2d...

[Alan1812]

Can you do a review for Guitar Hero III: Backstage Pass, because I think is better than the first version, in graphics and other things...

[EvilSpaghetti]

TBH I don't want to play it

[the_dead_man]

It looks crap.

its better than the previous versions but it has over 25 hours of gameplay!

[t-mac2008]

you should review real football 2009 and rf manager edition 2009

[the_dead_man]

you should review real football 2009 and rf manager edition 2009

fat chance!! he hates football games!!

[Alan1812]

Real Football is the same and the same...

Do you like RPG games, I like them (Heroes Lore is one example)!!!

[EvilSpaghetti]

Can we keep on subject please

[alcorlo]

Where i can download this game for free?