Home > Reviews > PC > #158

Moto GP 2: Ultimate Racing Technology Review - PC

The fastest, most sophisticated kind of motorbike racing is back and better than ever before in MotoGP 2. Compete on the most striking tracks and in all weather circumstances all the way through the MotoGP "cycle". Take part alongside the top twenty riders in the world going at an average speed of 320KPH. Speed around turns and corners with your knee inches from the concrete track.

MotoGP 1 set the pace for modern day motorcycle racing, and did so with much integrity. Now it's big brother has arrived, and THQ are, in most departments, bringing out all the stocks. Founded from "real-world" tracks and racers, will it be possible for Moto GP 2 to get bigger and better than the initial, MotoGP 1 and do well on the PC? There's only one way to find out, and that's by following the white rabbit... or motorcycle!

Game Play

Moto GP 2 doesn't have that many modes or in-game options. Because it's an Xbox port, there are no graphical adjustments, IE: Resolution, etc. This doesn't mean the game doesn't shine with beauty however. The career mode is jam packed of all the goodies that you found in Moto GP 1, and then some. There's plenty of unlockables, and you can even get some nice cheats if you play through enough of the career! Each track has a certain amount of performance testers which each have their own laid out skill level. If you beat them, you get another point for your bike. You can add the points to one of Acceleration, Top Speed, Cornering, or Braking.

When you unlock a new track in career mode, Moto GP 2 gives a brief description of the location, and what it's famous for. This is a nice little add-on that would be nice to see in other games, but is often looked over. They always finish their story with the track, and the conditions you're facing on them which gives them an excuse to gossip away about the city!

MotoGP 2 is a comprehensive reformation of the 2002 MotoGP series, and with the adjustments made from it's successor, the experience is a perfect match. There have been new rosters put in for MotoGP 2, including riders: Max Biaggi, Sete Gibernau, and Valentino Rossi. There are now not only 500cc motorbikes. 1000cc bikes have been added in, including the Suzuki GSV-R and the Yamaha M1. There are now 16 tracks, demonstrating all of the series' courses, from Sepang and Rio to Valencia and Phillip Island.

Minimum Requirements for MotoGP 2 include Windows 98, a Pentium II 450MHz CPU, 128MB of RAM, a 10x CD-ROM drive, Sound and Graphics cards that can handle Direct X 9.0, and a 56K modem for online play. Not too much required here, but you'd want a decent graphics card to get the most out of MotoGP (continued next page)