MXGP 3
Motocross just got Unreally good
You’re riding a motorbike on loose mud, trying not to fall off as you and 21 other riders navigate insane courses full of jumps and bumps. When that’s the brief, it’s hard not to have fun. But while the MXGP series has delivered this core experience well for a while now, it’s the newly adopted Unreal Engine 4 that sends the latest entry in the series screeching ahead of the pack. The difference is immediately apparent. There’s a beautifully naturalistic look to everything, with softened visuals giving an authentically low-fi, grungy feel to the action – motocross should never look too polished. The track surface deforms in real-time, making each lap feel new as you drift your bike along compacted wheel tracks for added grip. And best of all, the framerate is smooth and steady even when you have all 22 bikes on screen. Only the rain effect appears cheap, looking almost like it’s superimposed on the camera.
Technicalities nailed, the racing is allowed to take centre stage. And even though there are new bike customisation options, a neat ‘sponsor interest’ mechanic asking you to fulfil criteria to attract funding, and an enjoyable team progression system, none of the extra layers of depth get in the way of actually hitting the muddy tracks and racing.
IT’S TOO STEEP
The AI is mostly excellent, but it can suffer from pathfinding issues, occasionally turning into barriers on straights or stopping altogether on a steep hill. It’s also far easier to pull out a lead than to chase down the leader, especially on expert settings. And while the physics feel more forgiving than in previous versions (both on Normal and Pro settings), the bikes are relatively stiff, far keener to leave the track’s surface than to sit on it. The result is a slightly unsatisfying and unpredictable ride.
The audio is also not quite perfect. The bikes’ rasping engine sounds are far too loud in the mix by default – they’re right old growlers. If you turn them down (you can’t turn them off) and concentrate instead on the appropriately roisterous in-game music, the atmosphere then improves dramatically. But none of these issues detract enough to spoil it. If you like your bike racing on the dirty side, this is the game for you.
VERDICT
An exemplary use of an official license, dressed up in Unreal Engine 4’s superb visuals and offering a challenging racing experience. Not perfect, but very good indeed. Justin Towell