Developer: Koch Media, Milestone S.r.l
Publishers: Koch Media
Release date: July 14, 2017
Available on: PS4 (reviewed), Xbox One, PC
There are two kinds of racing games in the world: Arcade-like, casual racers, such as the Burnout and the MX vs. series, and full-on racing simulators like Forza Motorsport and Gran Turismo. MotoGP 17 falls into the later category. This tough-as-nails racer can be quite rewarding if you put the time into it; however, it’s mostly filled with mediocrity.
While I know this series has been around for years, this was actually my first time dipping my toe into the waters of MotoGP racing. So, while I feel I have a good grasp on the game itself after many hours of game play, I won’t be able to compare this to past years. I will be viewing it from fresh eyes, so hopefully, this should give an interesting look into a newcomers perspective on the series.
Tough-As-Nails Racing
One thing you can never say about a simulation racing game is that it is easy. Because the game is going for a realistic feel, it wants you to know the amount of time and patience it takes to become better at going around the track. You will need to have pinpoint accuracy on your turns, speed, braking, balance, and more. If you mess up just once, your race is pretty much over. You will quickly fall into last place, never to recover.
Honestly, when I started this game, I quickly became frustrated at coming in last place after every race. It didn’t help that the game doesn’t feature any kind of tutorial mode that I could find. In order to get better, I just had to keep facing failure, slowly inching toward the competition. The first time I was able to get 31st out of 32 racers, I literally jumped for joy.
Of course as I learned the ins-and-outs of the game, I slowly started averaging over 10th place. While that may not seem like much, I was very proud of my accomplishments and felt that I had really made good progress. While I did eventually achieve first place, it was a very rare occurrence. If you have the patience and time to learn the techniques needed, this game can feel rewarding in a way unlike other games can.
It’s worth noting (and one of my frustrations with the game) that if you go off the track for any reason, such as another racer bumping you off, it will result in an automatic last place. For example, I had multiple races where I would place in the single digits, but when I finished the race and saw the results, it showed 32nd place. This happened in a few races and caused me to take a double-look. I wasn’t sure if it was a glitch in the game, but thinking it over, the only connecting factor was that I went off the course for a moment or two. Just to add to the already difficult challenge, you need to make sure you never leave the track for any reason.
As mentioned earlier, while the game doesn’t feature a tutorial, it does offer a few pointers for newcomers. There is a guiding blue path on the track for you to follow, helping you know when to make proper turns. It also offers automatic shifting and automatic braking as you take on tight corners. Lastly, the game also includes a rewind feature. This is something you’ll be using liberally as you try to perfect your laps. This could be an absolute life-saver when you wipe-out after taking a sharp turn too quickly.
Graphically Lacking
Simulation games are about realism, so, the question becomes: How well do the tracks compare to their real-world counter-parts? In this department, MotoGP 17 definitely comes up short. While the game runs on Unreal Engine 4 and holds a steady 60 frames per second, everything else is a mixed bag. The racers and their bikes look fantastic, but the tracks and their environments are flat and, at worst, blurry. The world feels empty and hollow. For a game such as this, the bikes and racers are definitely the place to put the emphasis, but I just wish the rest of the game was handled with as much care. The game does feature a real-life video of the city you will be racing in before each race, but that just amplifies the mediocrity of the in-game tracks.
As far as sound design goes, the game won’t disappoint in its life-like portrayal. Each bike has its own unique engine noises and comes off as genuine. The game does feature an announcer at the beginning of each race, but once the race begins, it is just you and the sound of your engine. There are no music, announcers, or anything that may come off as distracting. With each race consisting of three laps around 2 to 3 minutes each, it can make some of the races come off as a boring affair. While it does hold true to the realism of the sport, I wish there was something else added to the overall atmosphere. Granted, you will be paying most of your attention to your racing techniques to notice, but it is still worth mentioning.
Ways To Race
MotoGP 17 offers a few different ways to make your way around the track. The standard single race and online modes are available, but the real depth of the game comes from Rider Career and Managerial Mode. In Rider Career you create your own rider, slowly working your way through Moto3, Moto2, and, finally, MotoGP. The game starts off somewhat easy, with a seven race championship, but after that, the game spares no punches. You will get decimated until you earn more cash and reputation in order to buy better bikes to even-out the competition. This is much easier said than done with the games brutal and unforgiving difficulty.
The most interesting part of the game (and where I spent most of my time with the title) would have to be the Managerial Mode. This is very similar to Career Mode, as you create a rider and earn cash and reputation. Where this really pivots from Career Mode, however, is that you will now be part of a team of six riders. You are responsible for every aspect of your team. You will be signing sponsorships, buying new bikes and equipment, and even working with your very own R&D team. Think of this as roughly the same as Managerial Mode in Madden or another big triple-A sports title within the last few years.
Comparing it to the bigger triple-A titles may be somewhat of a disservice to this game, as it doesn’t quite hit the same presentation level. The options you have available a very bare-bones and lacking. The presentation also leaves something to be desired, as its just text with no flare. You can check emails and read through prompts, but that’s about as flashy as this game gets.
Crossing the Finish Line
Overall, my time with MotoGP 17 was filled with highs and lows. The game was extremely difficult, almost to the point of frustration. Yet, when I stuck with it, I felt extremely accomplished by the end. If you are a long time fan of the series, you know exactly what to expect. But, if you are new to the series, make sure you the time and patience needed to really succeed. While the graphics and presentation are dated by today’s standards, the games core is still something to be admired.
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