SBK 2011

Another absentee is the Motorland Aragon circuit which is supposed to replace Kyalami for the 2011 season, but to make up for this discrepancy, Milestone has included all 14 circuits from SBK X along with two new additions: Silverstone and Vallelunga. Silverstone needs no introduction and is faithfully recreated with its new Arena layout. Vallelunga is a perilously twisty track that was last seen in the 2008 SBK season when Noriyuki Haga narrowly beat Biaggi to the top of the podium.

Anyone looking to craft their own racing legacy will find solace in the returning Career mode. This is very similar to last year's offering but features some welcome revisions, including new technology tests that make upgrading your bike less of a headache, and a more sedate presentation that replaces the office backdrop from SBK X. Otherwise, you have eight years to advance from the bottom of Superstock to the top of Superbike, and with four levels of difficulty to choose from, this can be a complete cakewalk or an extreme test of riding skill.

The racing pack AI is also more believable, with riders that react naturally to your stealthy overtakes and botched corners. While the graphical improvements are marginal, the rider animations now seamlessly transition from sweeping corners to thundering straights. But to fully appreciate these subtle nuances you'll need to tame the revised riding model.

Ask three SBK fans what they didn't like about SBK X and you could get three different answers, as bike games are very subjective. But one prevailing criticism was a perceived stiffness and a lack of cornering flexibility. SBK 2011 seeks to remedy this with a framework that feels looser and more responsive, and while the changes are far from dramatic, they do allow for more aggressive riding.

Full simulation is now less punishing and will hopefully encourage more players to ditch the training wheels after reaching the boundaries of Low and Medium simulation. And while the steering flexibility is offset by a rear brake that's less useful for mid-corner alterations, the overall effect is a physics model that's more natural and less scripted. But in terms of value for money, should you buy SBK 2011 if you already own SBK X?

It's a question that rests entirely on your expectations. If you played SBK X casually and stuck to Arcade mode, then this probably isn't the game for you. But if you engaged with the Simulation mode and enjoyed knocking the second off your best lap times, then SBK 2011 is a no-frills update that takes another step towards simulation supremacy. And because this is a two-horse race, comparisons with MotoGP are unavoidable.

MotoGP 10/11's main weakness is an online mode that's plagued by connection issues, so by offering an environment that's comparatively stable, SBK 2011 is the online racer of choice. Otherwise, it's a difficult decision between simulation styles that boils down to personal preference. MotoGP 10/11 has a more advanced physics model with a narrow focus, while SBK 2011 offers a more flexible racing experience that's a few shades more hardcore.

What lets it down is an overall lack of progression from last year's game. But once you adapt to the improved riding model, you'll probably overlook the lack of new gimmicks. In short, SBK 2011 is a solid upgrade on an already winning formula.