Although the name has been around for a few years, MotoGP 07 is Capcom's first crack at the long-time motorcycle racing game. Although the ride is a difficult one, it is certainly worth it for fans of the series.

Visually, MotoGP 07 doesn't look so hot, even by PS2 standards. While I'm sure my eyes have become accustomed to hi-resolution visuals, there are still things that don't look right. The bikes look okay, though the texture work is blurry. Rider animation is okay, though it is hard to get a sense of someone actually riding. Instead, it feels like they're bolted on. There's a lot going on around the track; buildings, stands - you name it. However, they all feature the same indistinct texture work that plagues the bikes and rides, giving the game a flat, unappealing look.

As far as sound goes, you have engine noise and music. Nothing really stands out about either, though at the same time, it isn't something that will make you want to turn off your speakers either.

MotoGP 07 features 21 real riders, including Sylvain Guintoli and Alex Hofmann. If you're not familiar with these names, then it is a safe bet that this game isn't for you. Hardcore motorcycle racing fans, on the other hand, should absolutely love MotoGP 07. Whereas past games have been approachable by fans of various skill levels, MotoGP 07 demands perfection with every lap. You really have to know what you're doing; otherwise it is next to impossible to post strong times.

Championship mode is the heart of the game. Here you choose a rider and compete though an entire season. This is where MotoGP 07 slips up and really shows that it is something for the hardcore fans. While they'll enjoy taking their favorite racers through a season, there's little to engage more casual fans just looking for a fun motorcycle racing game. You can't create a personal profile or your own rider, which takes some of the personalization away. In the past this was okay, though considering the lengths many racing games go to really pull players into the game, MotoGP 07's lack of features feels like a step back.

Beyond the Championship mode, you'll likely spend most of your time in Challenge, which presents you with a series of challenges to meet. You can also take part in a Quick Race and Time Attack, both of which are really good ways to practice for Championship matches. MotoGP 07 also sports a multiplayer mode, though you can't take races online.

Four difficulty settings are available, though all present an amazingly steep learning curve. A.I. drivers are really good and nail nearly every turn, which is a spectacular feat considering the number of sharp turns. If you do fall behind, it is pretty easy to overtake riders, though unless you're able to do this at the very end of a race it won't mean much. This becomes even trickier on harder difficulty levels, which makes it important to post really good qualifying times so you'll get a good spot early on. However, like everything else in the game, this is easier said than done. The qualifying times are really stingy and, as I said before, require flawless skills. Of course, here's where your control scheme matters. With the Arcade setting, it is really hard to get the finesse needed to take sharp turns, while Simulation gives you enough control but also feels incredibly loose.

Gameplay really comes down to the three control schemes - Arcade, Advanced and Simulation. Arcade is a little more forgiving; the main draw here is that it is really hard to flip your bike over, which becomes a bit of a problem when facing the sharp turns that populate nearly every track you come across. Of course, the downside to Arcade is that you don't have quite as much control, which can become a problem when you need a few seconds. Simulation is the exact opposite of Arcade. It gives you the most amount of control, though it is also something that only the hardcore players will want to try since it requires an insane amount of attention to work right - otherwise you'll spend more time on the ground than on your bike. The happy medium is Advanced; you're given a little more control than in Arcade, though it's not nearly as intense when it comes to concentration.

As far as the actual control setup is concerned, they are pretty easy to learn. The biggest hurdle is having front and rear brakes, which is what makes MotoGP 07 unique among racing games. It is easy to rely on one set, which is one of those mental things you'll have to understand while racing. You have free reign to assign each to whatever buttons you want, which should give you somewhat of an advantage.

If you're looking for a demanding, no-frills motorcycle racing game, MotoGP 07 is for you. However, if you don't count yourself among this group, then you may want to sit this race out.