Control your bike!

MXGP 3 — the official Motocross videogame aims to deliver an authentic, but accessible motocross experience. Players must conquer the dirt, mud and the rain to succeed in a game where every turn makes a big difference.

There is a flow to the turning that isn’t found in other games, and mastering that system can be extremely challenging. Breaking at the wrong time or not utilising the clutch properly will force you to use the rewind feature. It’s incredibly satisfying to combine perfect turns as you manoeuvre the bike with the left analog stick, while maintaining the rider’s balance with the right.  

Improvements in physics and AI from the previous game are clearly evident. The game has a collision system which can result in crashes, forcing you to re-spawn. Thankfully, with so many bikes on screen, the game is extremely lenient with how collisions are calculated. I found myself in a couple of unnatural situations where I felt like the AI had cheated to crash me, but that happened too rarely for it to make a difference. Weather and the tracks themselves can also alter how you approach the later laps in a race. Dynamic weather can make simple turns into an annoyance whereas tracks get deformed as the race goes on, forcing you to pay closer attention to the surface.

There is standard career mode which will guide you through the game’s authentic locations. You will earn credits to spend on upgrades or new bikes, while choosing the right sponsorship deal at that point in your career. There are plenty of customisation options available for both the rider and bike, but I found the career mode to be in line with something that is expected from all games in this genre.

In addition to career mode, you can take part in various tournaments or practice your skills in the compound. In the Monster Energy FIM MXoN, a team of three representing the same country face other teams of three in a battle for national pride.  MXGP 3 is ideal for those looking for an approachable motocross game. Learning to control your bike through dirt and rain is challenging yet engaging, offering something different to a fan of racing games. Despite not being remarkable in any way, it earns an easy recommendation.