MotoGP 09/10

MotoGP 09/10 also introduces the idea of tucking in along the straights by holding down A, which increases your acceleration by reducing drag. This method feels more intuitive than the weight distribution feature that was used heavily in MotoGP '08, but it does feel a tad off when the rider can barely turn while tucked in, as although it would certainly restrict movement a little it doesn't feel natural when these beautiful machines suddenly go rigid.

And yes, although MotoGP 09/10 doesn't come close to the visual splendour of Forza 3, for a biking game it still has its virtues. Tracks like the fast Le Mans and the technical Estoril have all been replicated accurately and you get a good sense of speed as you blast down the long drop at Sachsenring. The game also uses a slightly washed out colour palette that gives the bikes and riders a very clean and bright look. Not quite cartoony, but it does verge close to it.

In terms of audio MotoGP 09/10 is a big disappointment. I went to Brands Hatch for the last round of the British Superbike Championship and I know what an Airwaves Ducati sounds like. MotoGP is supposed to be the F1 of motorcycle racing, and although it would be stupid to make a game that instantly blew the speakers on your expensive sound system, there's no excuse for making the V4-powered Ducati Desmosedici G9 sound like someone has just disturbed a wasp's nest. And as for the Scottish commentator who shouts, "hey, this isn't motocross," as you veer off onto the dirt, screw you buddy!

But despite some niggling flaws there's still a lot to like. The new Career mode plays out like the diet edition of Football Manager, only now it's MotoGP Manager. You start out by creating your own rider and racing team, and then picking your own colour scheme and selecting from two budget 125cc bikes - either a Haojue 125R or a KTM 125 FRR. You also have to employ press officers to net you better sponsorship deals and engineers to research bike upgrades.

Your staff won't work for free though, so you have to meet sponsorship targets like qualifying higher than 8th to earn better money. The Career mode also incorporates a Rider Reputation system that relates to your race performance. By doing positive manoeuvres like overtaking, showboating and slipstreaming - and avoiding negatives like collisions and crashes - you'll be given a Reputation bonus at the end of each race. The incentive is that a higher Reputation will provide access to better staff and bikes, and by level 30 you'll be able to ride the glorious Yamaha YZR-M1. This is also the point where it's best to challenge the online competition.

Sadly there was no one to play against at the time of review, but all the functionality seems to be in place with both Xbox Live Career and Arcade modes, as well as comprehensive leaderboards and the ability to down and upload ghost data. Monumental is also promising up to 20 riders racing at once. At least we can confirm that the two-player splits-screen works well with options for either a horizontal or vertical split.

As a package MotoGP 09/10 is a game that splits me straight down the middle. As a biker I'm disappointed that a racing game built around MotoGP doesn't do more to replicate how a motorbike feels, but as a gamer I can appreciate what it offers in terms of an enjoyable gameplay experience. If you give it a chance, and wait for the fast style to sink in, then you'll be blasting around Donnington and Assen at breakneck speeds, braking far later than you'd ever do in reality.

The jump up from 250cc to 800cc also makes a massive difference as you'll have far less time to think about what you're doing - and rightly so. Plus with Capcom promising free DLC that'll include the 2010 season livery data, the new 600cc Moto2 class and both the new Silverstone Arena and Balatonring, the scope for getting your knee down with new riders, tracks and bikes is very appealing.