Introduction
THQ's premier racing franchise returns in the 2006 High Definition version of MotoGP. MotoGP 2006 already had gamers buzzing with its recently released demo on Xbox Live, and the full version doesn't disappoint. We're off to races with Extreme Gamers review of MotoGP 2006.

The Game
I'm going to start this review by giving you, the reader, a little in site into my rough start with MotoGP '06. When I first started my racing career with MotoGP you could easily say my driving skills where below average. I was scoring negative penalties all over the track, bumping around the other drivers, and swerving off the road and crashing. It was scary, and I was almost ready to proclaim my hate toward this damn MotoGP racing game.... then, I took a deep breathe and said to myself, what's the deal? I didn't really get it, and I wondered why I was so shaken up?! I'm not a MotoGP veteran, but I have played my fair share of racing games, this should of been a walk in the park. So, I refused to give up I loaded up another race took my time and like butter on a hot piece of toast, I was sinking into the groove and ranking up the MotoGP ranks. I guess the point of this little blurb is to say, take your time with this game, learn the controls and the way the bike works and then you'll be good in no time. Putting a time on the learning curve, I'd give MotoGP '06 about an hour or two to really get going.

Now that I'm into MotoGP I would have disappointed if I would have thrown this racing gem aside. MotoGP '06 is a finely tuned version of MotoGP 3 and an overall sweet racing game that should keep fans of the series and new gamers happy. MotoGP has all you've come to expect out a racing title like a host of tracks, bikes, precise controls, a lengthy career mode, and online play. It's really hard to complain at all about MotoGP, racing fans will no doubt eat this one up.

Going deeper into MotoGP you have a Grand Prix mode, along with Extreme 600, 1000 and 1200 races. MotoGP is an officially licensed from the MotoGP circuit, so the season is broken down like the real deal. It racing, so that's what you will be doing depending on your difficultly level you can unlock achievements, earn points, and cash. You also have the option to play in last years season 2005 or in 2006. The Extreme races are basically a code word for 'Street' racing. Following the success of underground racing we now get some extreme cycling which has to be unlocked by completing a normal season. The Extreme section of MotoGP is equally as fun and challenging as the normal Grand Prix mode.

For those wondering if this is a simulation game or an arcade racer, you would have to tip the scale towards simulation. Although MotoGP might be a little dull for the first while, when you get into it you'll be biting your lip and winning races by the 10s. MotoGP '06 lets you get into the details for the Grand Prix circuit by customizing your bikes appearance and fine tuning every nut and bolt. For the players in the Extreme mode you get to go even further into customization because MotoGP swerves into the neighborhood of other racers by letting players buy new parts and custom build their own bike. This is all opened up in the Extreme modes where you purchase bikes and upgrade them in the way of group packages. The customization isn't as detailed as other games, but for what it delivers its fine. I'm sure as the series grows Climax will expand further into the customizing end of street racing.

MotoGP has been going strong so far, but like any observant critic I have a few garbles. First the tutorial mode is a little weak and should walk the player through the instructions better. The tutorial helps a bit, but overall it is too short, and doesn't really teach you much. If you're like me then you will just be slightly better off after you complete the training mode then before, and that's not good. MotoGP has a tough learning curve like I rambled on earlier, take your time and it will all be clear. MotoGP could of also used a dynastic system so we could keep an eye on the finer details like tire ware and temperature. One more change I would make would be to make each race, or a few races longer and take the control away from the player. Some pit stops and a ten plus lap race would of been fun a few times at least. Garbles aside, MotoGP is really hard to pick on because it's really polish, but like any game there is always room for improvement.

What else is left? Climax also added a bunch of challenges which come off with a series of mini-games. Each challenge will test your braking, or turning skills, plus all the other tricks they can think off. You can also go into a stunt mode online which further follows this off beat path. I really dug this idea and it is good that Climax was thinking of all those guys who get board of racing, this sure breaks up the gameplay.

Another area which was nice to see if the statistic points you earn after doing good in a race. These points are used to build up your players skills which gets spread over four attributes Cornering, Braking, Top Speed and Acceleration. Moving your stats forward also helps move you up in the ranks called Seeding in MotoGP. In the Extreme mode you will also gain cash along with the stats of course then you can mod up your bike or purchase different cycles. Dollar-Dollar.

The multiplayer section of MotoGP is packed up as much as the single player events which is nice. Topping that up a notch is the ability to play over Xbox Live with four people in split screen using one Xbox Live account. This is how you do it and MotoGP has crushed in the online component. There are plenty of race options and enough to keep you online for a while. Online with friends or by yourself on the couch MotoGP '06 is a complete racing game that cleans up in the gameplay department.

Graphics & Sound
Climax did an excellent job on the graphics, and if you didn't know better you might not even notice the nuances that distingue the game from real life. The bikes have a high level of detail that is customizable along with riders. Continuing on the real pattern we have replica builds of the real official tracks they use in the GP circuit, making MotoGP all the more authentic. The outdoor extreme tracks are also highly detailed and bring out more the excellent light dynamics and showcase what this graphics engine can do. Its clear Climax took their time and punched out a real Xbox 360 upgrade rather then skimping out on the graphics from the last generation Motos.

The graphics clearly had more production then the soundtrack department in MotoGP 06. The overall quality of the songs for the soundtrack are on the lower end of the production scale and can easily become annoying. The soundtrack is mainly techno inspired with the odd rock riff tossed into the mix. Overall it's boring, ear itching and generic. This is really a downer because the flip side of the audio is excellent. The sounds of the tires on the different terrain, the bikes engines, and the intro song are all class acts and bring the game into a high quality which might be why the soundtrack seems below average. Not too worry because all you have to do is pump out the tunes from your Xbox 360 media player and it is all good. Next year, I hope Climax and THQ look into a new direction for the backing soundtrack and possibly a few licensed tracks.

Lowdown
MotoGP '06 is a definite buy for racing fans even if you prefer cars over their two tired counter parts. The speeds are high and the gameplay is solid online and off. MotoGP has made a good first showing on the Xbox 360 and this is one racing game that might take your mind off Project Gotham.

FEATURES:

• MotoGP Mode
• The official game of the MotoGP Championship
• Fully licensed riders, tracks and bikes from the 2005 and 2006 MotoGP Season
• 17 GP Tracks (3 new ones)
• Extreme Mode
• 17 Extreme Tracks (1 new one)
• Rebuilt Extreme Tracks streamlined for speed (much larger + rebuilt environments)
• All new Extreme Bikes rebuilt from scratch
• Challenge Mode
• Go through the challenge mode to increase their rider abilities and unlock everything in the game!
• Up to 16 online players per race in GP and Extreme mode (used to be 10 only for Extreme)
• Seeding system / Embedded Online Gameplay / Spectator Mode / Commentator Mode
• 20 riders competing in each race (16 in Extreme mode - used to be 10 only)
• 4-player split-screen multiplayer options
• 60 frames per second - New improved audio - Photo realist graphics (HD)