Hardcore Grabs His Leathers

There are only a handful of games whose wild popularity is based largely on a fan base that isn't just enthusiastic, but flat-out fanatical. The Moto GP series lives comfortably among such iconic titles as Counter-Strike™, Starcraft, and Halo®, whose life spans have stretched beyond even the most lofty of expectations.

Working dual-brake control around the turns.

Moto GP fans accept no substitutes as they dedicate themselves wholly to the brutally learning curve and subtle gameplay offered by the Moto GP series. Only the most sublime game design can elicit regular marathon sessions from its faithful players and reward them with tangibly increased skill with every minute that passes. From a gameplay perspective, perhaps no other racing game is more hardcore than Moto GP '06.

The clearest sign of amateurism either
online or off is to knock an opponent
off his bike deliberately.

With that in mind, there can be no doubt that the hardcore challenge treatment needs to be offered to this next-gen entry in now-classic franchise. Wrestle these challenges to the ground and you'll prove the hardcore spirit flows freely through your veins.

Trial by Fire
Moto GP '06 not only plays differently than nearly any other racing game, but it plays a far more difficult tune, too. Ask a veteran of the series and they'll tell you to read every tip, play through every tutorial, and slowly work up to speed with great deliberation.

It's all solid advice, to be sure, but it's also a big load of nonsense to the hardcore gamer. If you think you've got a handle on your own frustration, try going full bore from the get go and learning by hard knocks, not gentle progression.

Play nice, don't tap that rear wheel.

Don't Dial it Down
An extension of the Trial by Fire rule, this challenge asks you to ignore the most common bit of advice for learning the Moto GP series. Don't, under any circumstances, give in to the easiest difficulty setting. If you must, stick to the default, but if you're truly adventurous you might even consider cranking it up a notch beyond that.

Sans Road Rage
The clearest sign of amateurism either online or off is to knock an opponent off his bike deliberately. This isn't Burnout Revenge™, so keep your road rage to yourself and race with legitimacy. Rubbing isn't racing in the Moto GP series.

Clean Lines
It's one thing to win a race, but it's quite another to enjoy clean lines throughout. The sheer difficulty of keeping to the track and only the track is daunting for even a lap, let alone an entire event.

That's hardcore separation right there.

To that end, the hardcore gamer cannot be satisfied with a simple victory. They must also demonstrate dominion over the track itself. This means that no win can be celebrated unless you've gone the entire race without slipping off the track. Good luck with that.

Achievements
The advent of Gamerscore and achievements has given developers a natural path to challenging gamers in unorthodox ways. Put simply, it's a haven for the hardcore gamer who can't stand to leave well enough alone, and Moto GP '06 offers a few unique achievement challenges that stand tall among their brethren:

• Legendary: Besting a single event on this difficulty is enough to cause bitter tears and busted equipment, but locking down each Legendary achievement may prove too much for even the most ardent gamer. You'll earn these achievements by beating each different season on Legend difficulty. Let the hair pulling begin.
• MarathonCareer: Dedication is rewarded in Moto GP '06 at all times. The more you play, the better you get, but even if the hours tick past by the dozen, achieving 500 career victories (offline or on) is a monumental goal.

By the very nature of its design, Moto GP '06 is hardcore, but it is exactly that that makes it all the more satisfying to apply hardcore challenges, for to win without them is impressive, but to win with them is truly glorious.

Article by Hardcore