MotoGP: Ultimate Racing Technology 3 Preview

You want racing action? You want high-speed challenge in which it feels as though even the slightest mistake will have you leaving body skid marks along a mountain pass? Strap on the helmet and get ready for a wild and extremely challenging ride – THQ and Climax are bringing MotoGP3 to the Xbox, and motorcycle racing never looked so good.

Though only an alpha build was available for preview at the THQ Gamer’s Event (January 26 in San Francisco), what was on display was a tight racing game with incredible environments and a real feel for the sport. The game will feature 16 new tracks, interactive spectators and camera effects to give crashes a sense of bone-jarring pain. You will grimace when you see a rider lay down the bike and go sliding across the pavement into a wall.

The game will also feature three different varieties of bikes, beginning with a 600cc machine and working up to the 1600cc beasts, and rider seeding for racing. Xbox Live! has been brought into play, and not only will gamers be able to race against others online, but you will actually be able to play the single-player game online as well. But, as the saying goes, there is much more. For the first time, Xbox Live! will allow player commentary on the races – just like a real event announcer. Climax anticipates that the feature will be abused somewhat, but if integrated well by responsible players, it should add a depth to the game that has not been realized before in online racing games.

Players can log into the online lobby and instead of jumping right in to race, can play spectator for other races, and perhaps pick up a few ideas from some of the top online racers.

The controls take a bit to get used to – leaning/turning is controlled by the left thumbstick, while acceleration/braking is tied to the right thumbstick. The game will also let players replay events to see what they may have done wrong, or right.

This is definitely a game of skill, but the AI will not blow you off the track – Climax promises that in the single-player game, the AI will provide a challenge regardless of your level, but not just pound you into the pavement.

Graphically the game is incredible. Visors on the helmets reflect the environment and the dynamic lighting and shadows infuse the game with a realism that really pops the game off the screen.

MotoGP3 roars along the tracks and circuits with a sense of style that is certain to make this a top-notch title.