Well, there are some great Electronic Arts releases, and then there are just some okay ones. MotoRacer is one of those mediocre releases that doesn’t deliver too much in the way of details. It is a down and dirty, bare bones, get-on-your-bike-and-go kind of game. It is our observation that not much went into the development of this game. It almost seems that it was released to hold gamers over until Road Rash 3-D is released.
But that’s not to say that it doesn’t have it’s good points. There is a thrill to this game, and if you’re looking for a no-frill type of race, this is it. Strictly arcade-style, the choices are lacking in the way of bikes, tracks and graphics Yet, it is fun to race, especially split-screen style, which is the game’s most impressive feature.
The game is made up of a mere 10‹not so impressive, Western style tracks, with the exception of the Great Wall of China, and we wondered how that got in there. The most entertaining tracks are the dirt tracks, and selecting your bike carefully for the kind of track is about the most difficult (and only) decision of the game. Depth perception was lacking, and more polygons would have made it easier to focus on the track. The surrounding panoramas seemed somewhat flat, and in some scenarios you couldn’t tell where the tracks were.
The handling of the bikes is good, and as previously mentioned, picking the right bike for the right track is an important factor in handling. Added features in riding are limited to a turbo wheelie, which usually makes you crash. Other than that, there isn’t much else you can do on your bike except ride. And, try and outrace your opponent.
If a gamer isn’t expecting much else, than that’s okay. But, with releases like Need for Speed III, and the soon to come Road Rash 3D, gamers are expecting more in the way of details, options and graphics. If this games falls in a lower price range than others, it will deliver to those with arcade-style racing expectations.