Creating a realistic simulation game of anything is a difficult task. No matter the approach, there are going to be two distinct groups that form in opposition: one that finds it too realistic, and one that doesn't think it's realistic enough. There are a number of ways to approach this issue, and most developers aim for the middle, hoping to add options to make it difficult enough for the hardcore, but accessible enough for more casual gamers. For racing sims, this target is even smaller, since driving is a task that just about everyone has done, meaning developers need to be extra careful assuring they allow fans of racing and just simple driving the ability to perform. With this year's iteration of the MotoGP franchise, developer Monumental Games does a good job of bringing bikes to the next generation, though the attempt isn't without its faults.

One of the largest changes from past games in the series is accessibility. While it is still a long way away from giving gamers the feeling of actually riding a bike at 80mph, Monumental has worked towards improving the game to make it easier for anyone to jump in. The largest example is the controls, which should be easier to grasp than ever before. It's still complex, as any game with buttons for individual tires' breaks will be, but it's not too hard to learn the ways of the road fairly quickly. This is made even easier by a fairly robust tutorial, which slowly eases new players into the MotoGP way of racing. This way of racing, for those who don't know, is about following an invisible line on the track. However, the magic of gaming has made this line visible in MotoGP 09/10, which makes for a much easier to understand game.

That's not to say that it's easy. Even after players learn to follow the line and figure out when to use which breaks, it's an incredibly hard game with one hell of a learning curve. Several settings change exactly how difficult it is to handle the bike, with even the easiest mode being significantly more difficult to manage than most driving games on the market. Drifting off the track brings the bike almost to a complete stop, if it doesn't cause it to crash outright, so the first few hours of play are spent finding the sweet spot on the road, which is, as expected, quite a trying experience for anyone not already invested in MotoGP. Even so, it's far from being completely sim, and there's a good amount of arcade under the hood that keeps it from being as true-to-life as a game like Forza. This is a double edged sword, though I doubt any fans of the series will be too upset at any strides made towards popularizing the gameplay.

There's plenty of time to learn the controls, however, since there's a lot to do before a majority of the game is available to play. Starting off, the first seasons available are for 125cc and 250cc, leaving more powerful vehicles, like 800cc bikes, unattainable until a good amount of time has been put into MotoGP. This might infuriate some, since it feels as though much of the content needs to be unlocked where it should be available at the start, but it means players should have plenty of practice by the time they're using the game's best vehicles. For new players this is good. For old players this might be more of a frustration. Still, the amount of content should be enough for most players. The game comes complete with the 2009 MotoGP season, and Capcom promises that downloadable content will fill in the 2010 season as well. On that same note, an expanded Career mode gives players the ability to build a team, earning reputation for successful races, really fleshing out the package.

When it comes to visuals, fans of the series already know what they're getting into. Since MotoGP isn't as popular as traditional racing games, the market is much smaller, so the game isn't anywhere near as well put together as Forza or Gran Turismo. Due to this, several elements of the game fall a bit flat, starting with the visuals, which look good enough at high speeds, though fail to impress once things slow down. Since motorcycle racing has a lot of slowing down to make turns, too often the player is forced to look at the mediocre graphics. It's not so much that it looks bad, just a bit dated, as if the engine hasn't been heavily improved since the last MotoGP game in 2007 when it was still owned by THQ.

As is the case with any realistic title, there's a sense of accomplishment whenever something difficult is pulled off. While there's definitely some enjoyment there, it isn't really a sign of a well made game. There needs to be a balance, and while it can be reached for some people with MotoGP 09/10, there are few who will really appreciate the game. Flaws in the presentation keep it from being eye candy, and there are issues with the gameplay and controls that prevent the game from being anything special. Instead, it's an average package, and there's little to draw in old or new fans who aren't willing to spend a good deal of time learning how to ride a bike again.