MXGP: The Official Motocross Videogame

Overall then, MXGP2 is a good game, but it’s not going to blow you away. The fantastic range of options and gameplay modes available means that there’s plenty here to get stuck into to, and it’s definitely enjoyable, but you’ll never feel overwhelmingly impressed; an issue not helped by the  long load times and dreary audio-visual presentation. Regardless, if you’re after a Motocross game for the Xbox One, this is currently your only option, and trust me, it could have very easily been worse.

After the success of MotoGP 14, MXGP: The Official Motocross Videogame left me cold. While the racing mechanics are fine, the boring progression is made worse by a number of questionable design decisions. Worse yet, none of the real world tracks stand out and the graphics aren't very good for a PlayStation 4 game. MXGP is a big disappointment.

With media coverage extensive as it is these days, it is increasingly rare when a video game comes out where I am able to approach it with absolutely no preconceived impressions. Such is the case for MXGP. The last two wheel racer I’d played was probably something in the MX vs ATV series a console generation ago. Unlike the MX vs ATV series, MXGP is a decidedly realistic take on the sport of motocross with the focus purely on racing. Sure, with the game hitting PS4 back in October we’re a little late to the party but you know what? Once you get the hang of things, its pretty fun.

There’s something strangely appealing about the way in which Italian outfit Milestone constructs a single player campaign. The developer’s previous forays into the World Rally Championship and Moto GP have all lacked polish, but have had a certain je ne sais quoi in spite of their presentational shortcomings. MXGP: The Official Motocross Game – the petrol obsessed production house’s latest attempt at simulating motocross – is no different, providing a straightforward rags-to-riches affair that will keep you occupied in spite of its shortcomings.

As a package, MxGP just isn’t up to scratch. Of course, fans of motocross will get a kick out of being able to belt around the official tracks, on an official bike (even though they all handle very similarly), against representations of the same real-world opposition that they watch compete week in and week out. But that doesn’t mean that the developer should be happy to just serve those people a lazy game and hope that the fans ignore the pitfalls. Ultimately though, that's what they've done.