MotoGP 07 -- the sequel to the too-realistic-for-casuals MotoGP 06 -- hyped itself as being more accommodating for new players, making hardcore fans of 06 quake in their helmets and driving gloves for fear of gentle turns, soft falls and dumbed-down controls. Well, not to fear, hardcore racers, MotoGP 07 is still aimed at the do-or-die crowd. With minor but pretty updates to the graphics and a few tweaks to game play, MotoGP 07 will get fans' motors racing but leave newcomers in the dust.

Vroom Vroom

For those that loved MotoGP 06, there is more to love in MotoGP 07. Climax has added a cooler, color-coded map that tracks where you crashed or went off-course or just lost control and took out 16 other bikers, updated the graphics during the races to give the crowds a true-to-life racetrack atmosphere, and added HDR lighting so that reflections and weather effects look amazing.

Also expanded upon is the Extreme mode, which gets unlocked after you complete Grand Prix mode. Extreme mode is more beginner-friendly (oddly, since you have to fight your way through the game to get to it) as it has an arcade feel with wider turns, cityscape tracks and an endless variety of customizations for your bike. Winning races awards you cash, which can be spent on wheels, brakes and other options, actually radically changing the look of your bike. The customization aspect is really developed, and fans of 06 will appreciate the additions.


Climax also added a Championship mode (Grand Prix mode with real racers -- during the incredibly long, get-up-and-walk-the-dog loading screens you can memorize the three to four factoids about each racer), and two new online modes, Pink Slip and Online Tournaments. There are not a whole lot of explanations for the different online modes -- some of them aren't even mentioned in the manual. Fight Club, for instance, has nothing to do with Brad Pitt or Ed Norton. What is it? We still don't know.