As with the previous games in the series, it's all about the unique breaking system. Climax has nailed it, making perfect use of the shoulder triggers for the front and back brakes meaning you play like you ride.
Accompany that with the ability to change your biker's position as he rides and you've got something far more complex than your average racing game.
That's not to say that the handling mechanism isn't tricky at first, but over time this turns into the most rewarding control system you'll ever see, requiring genuine skill as you race through the various tracks on offer.
Securing the official licence for the real GP, the game will be launching alongside the start of the competition complete with all the official 2006 information - something of a first as most stat-based games can sometimes be anything up to a year behind.
It's even been hinted at that the game will automatically update stats as you play (via Xbox Live) to create an even more authentic experience.
Featuring every possible online mode you could ask for from quick, arcade races to full fledged tournaments and 20 players online simultaneously, MotoGP also looks set to deliver the top notch online experience it made its name with back when it originally launched with Xbox Live. It even includes a spectator mode similar to that of Gotham TV.
Making a welcome return is extreme mode, for the less hardcore gamers out there - offering a vast selection of custom-made tracks featuring wider roads and a different assortment of bikes to thrash. You can even modify your ride using cash you've earned in competitions to make your speeding death trap even faster.
Custom decals and paint jobs are an option also, although how in-depth these will be isn't yet clear. Something along the lines of Forza seems fitting, so that when you win that race online everyone will know it was you - the tit with the bright orange bike - that ran them into the dust.
As with most 360 titles, Climax assures us there will be plenty of downloadable content on offer in the shape of new bikes and tracks.
Overall, MotoGP is shaping up to be a fine next-gen version of an already great game. There's nothing particularly new or groundbreaking included in the update, but with a development time of a little over seven months, Climax has done a very decent job.
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