We, as consumers, have come to a point where we require a game to be a timeless masterpiece, in order to even consider purchasing it. And more often than not, a vast majority will turn a game down because of its average visual facade, and/or a review with a score lower than a 9. Such approach is disappointing as many, average, and enjoyable games simply slip under the radar, never to be seen again. And unfortunately, it looks like Moto Racer 4, may be one of those games.
Moto Racer 4 is a simple, down to earth, arcade racer. It may not be as big as arcade racers of the last generation such as Blur, or Split/Second: Velocity, but it understands that, and it doesn’t try to reach the heights which are simply out of its reach. In short, Moto Racer 4, is AA title which knows its limits, however, while acknowledging what it can, and cannot achieve, it also provides the player with an abundance of additional content which games of such stature, usually fail to provide.
Moto Racer 4, features a lengthy career mode, which is divided into various tracks, modes, and most importantly types of races. Players who decide to give it a go, will be able to compete in survival style elimination races on dirt tracks, which take place within the confines of dense forests, and simple time attacks, which playout on busy motorways. Each event is also split into three separate difficulties, and after completion of each, player is awarded one, two, or three stars, as long as he/she manages to complete the preset objective. However, if it happens that player fails to reach the event’s goal, the amount of stars, which is attributed to the difficulty, which he/she has selected, will be detracted from the overall star balance.
Stars while being the most import factor in relation to the in-game progression, are not the only thing which can be unlocked throughout. In addition, players who’ll decide to pursue the more challenging tasks, which present the player with three stars, will also have a chance to win a brand new motorcycle, which comes with a new character. And that’s not all, as all in-game bikes are customisable, in terms of visuals and performance, and customisation is carried out with a use of style related points, which are given to the player in-game, for drifting, boosting, and successful tricks.
Content wise, Moto Racer 4 holds enough to satisfy any fan of the arcade racing genre. The abundance of singleplayer content, in combination with the multiplayer mode, will provide many with countless hours of entertainment. However, with every hour, the title’s issues become more apparent, and fun, which most players will have with the title at the beginning will slowly dissipate.
Mechanically, Moto Racer 4, is far from being perfect. On lower difficulties, its issues are not as apparent, however, once one begins to take on the harder challenges, one will notice that the true challenge doesn’t come from the competitive AI, but from the chunkiness, of in-game controls. Early on, before the player gets his/her grips on the boost ability, and before one begins to invest his/her points into bike upgrades, Moto Racer 4 plays out smoothly. But the second the previously mentioned attributes come into the mix, smooth as silk controls, turn into crumpled sandpaper.
Input delay, in combination with unreliably poor bikes’ turning circle, makes Moto Racer 4, a living hell. The previously entertaining, and fun experience, turns into a mess riddled, with poor controls, and simply unfair AI and objectives, which on a harder level are near impossible to beat without hours of senseless grind, which is required to upgrade your vehicle to a point where it is anywhere near as good as AI’s machines.
Moto Racer 4, can be summarised with a single word, and the word in question is “inconsistent“. As for every single thing that it does right, it does another which is simply below par. It’s like an early 1900’s circus performer who is trying to fight a bear, but at the same time, he has also tied his right hand behind his back, while he’s wearing a blindfold, and has tied his shoelaces together. In short, he has done everything in his power, in order to sabotage any chance of success which he might have had, just like Moto Racer 4 did.