Moto GP Ultimate Racing Technology 3 (Xbox)

First things first: this review does not detail the online aspect of Moto GP 3, as I do not have Xbox Live. Hopefully this review might give a good impression of the game from the point of view of someone who has been a fan since the first title.First off the bat - no need to worry, as the bikes themselves still handle beautifully. It is possible to tailor the controls to your exact liking, which means you'll soon be tail-sliding your way out of the chicane at Assen, or burying the nose of your bike deep into the Melbourne Loop at Donington. It also remains possible to adjust the sensitivity of the game according to your personal taste, so if you like being punished for sliding the bike in too much or leaning that extra few degrees too far, then you'll no doubt find your fill there.Track-wise, Suzuka sadly no longer features due to the safety concerns bought up by the tragic death of Dajiro Kato. In it's place on the calender comes the less-than-inspiring (well, by comparison anyway) Qatar circuit. However, for this installation developers Climax have injected some imaginary street and road courses into proceedings (you can opt for an 'Extreme' championship should you wish to take your leave from the normal Moto GP circuits), and by-and-large all are good fun. It certainly adds another dimension to the racing, as even a seasoned Moto GP veteran will have to learn each course fresh.Now, why have I voted the game 4 stars and not 5? Well, one simple reason: although more of the same thing is good, there were areas for improvement in Moto GP 2 that have not been addressed. The first is the slightly poor AI - riders don't ever really give over the impression that they are riding like their real-life counterparts, but instead dashing around the track like lunatics in gaggles bumping into each other (a fine line, but never the less different). It also seems impossible to properly 'duel' with an opponent - there are always areas of the circuits the AI are much better or worse, and it to a bigger or lesser degree at each circuit combines to throw up an accordian effect which is not quite what you see in the real thing. Nit-picking perhaps, but if you're a Moto GP nut it will probably count for something.The second problem is a smaller one, but a frustration that was aired to the developers before. The career mode is great, but lacks an authentic edge. You still cannot ride one of the official Moto GP bikes and have to rely on making your own effort, which despite the good 'create a bike' mode will still leave you with something that looks a lot short of the real deal. If you were dreaming of perhaps sliding around on the Repsol Honda or the Gauloises Yamaha then unless you can use a little imagination you'll have to wait again. Another nice addition could have been a contract structure, whereby your experience increases your atributes and your improved performance attract higher-end teams and rides. The career mode for Moto GP 3 is not bad - don't get me wrong here - but it is hauntingly similar to the 2nd game, and that's a little disappointing.Overall though the game is good fun. By all accounts it is superb online, and there is still plenty to do and see. Well worth a purchase even if it doesn't deliver everything we hoped for.

Console Moto GP games explained;The Xbox MotoGP:URT games are by Climax/THQ (1 to 3) and have the Ultimate Racing Technology suffix.The PS2 MotoGP games are by Namco (1 to 4) then Milestone/Capcom ('07).The X360 MotoGP games are by Climax/THQ ('06 and '07), Milestone/Capcom ('08), Monumental/Capcom ('09/'10 and '10/'11) and Milestone/Pqube ('13)The PS3 MotoGP games are by Milestone/Capcom ('08), Monumental/Capcom ('09/'10 and '10/'11) and Milestone/Pqube ('13)So there are basically 5 different Developer/Publisher series of the 'MotoGP' game, all interwoven in the timeline, and with different features/modes/bikes and tracks in each - but no Namco games have been on Microsoft, and no Climax/THQ games have been on Sony (so you need both) - but they both have Milestone/Capcom, Monumental/Capcom, and Milestone/PQube....(so pick for your prefered console)Also MotoGP:URT 1 and 2 play on the X360 - a re-coded download is required - with much impoved graphics but they DIDN'T recode MotoGP:URT 3 though so it wont play(sniff!).The PS2 games play on PS3 (but look just about the same as on PS2).

I think this game needs a view from a real motorcycle racer who races in the MotoGP Series [even tho im a privateer on a kawasaki :)] however, the game fully appreciates whats its like to ride a 1000cc 4 stroke machine. The online play is very good and better than 1 and 2. Also with the extreme mode when u ride more 'normal' bikes, they have got that perfect aswell, i ride a gsxr-1000 and the comparision is similar from game to reality.

I played this game for about 10 minutes and felt very ill, the camera oversteers on ever corner before swinging back to far and finally settling back where it started, I don't know why? But I find this bizarre.

A good game from a great company.