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Wish I'd held out for a rental copy

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 8 / 10
Date: September 13, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Avoiding a futile simulation/arcade debate, what makes a game fun is not whether it's "realistic", but whether the physics of driving are plausible and whether the game gives you enough feedback so you can pick the right line or at least know when you're getting close to crashing. Any driving game that does not model suspension isn't worth much, and this game doesn't recreate the steering effects created by loading and unloading the front and rear ends when braking and accelerating. Think Gran Turismo: late-braking into turns is accompanied by tire drift, reduced steering and asphalt texture that shows direction and speed; there's none of that here.

Perhaps the most inexcusable feature is the throttle. The throttle has about 2-3 sensitivity levels (even using the analog stick) and these levels do not correspond to throttle position but to acceleration rate. In other words, level 1 doesn't put you at 50% RPMs, it just makes the bike accelerate a little more slowly than level 2. Fine-tuning entrance and exit speeds is made a lot harder as a result.

Comparisons to GT3s graphics are an insult. Another reason GT3s low opponent AI is overlooked is its graphics, and this game's graphics don't approach MotoGP 2s, let alone GT3s. Low polygon counts, lackluster tracks and lighting effects don't constitute progress in the PS2s graphics. It looks like Spike/BAM wasn't even trying.

I never turn on a game's soundtrack, so the only thing I hear is the in-race sound effects, which are like the graphics: tedious in their monotony. A little touch that was appreciated: wind noise at high speed, though it sounded like being in a convertible at 25mph, not a moto at 125.

Post-GT3 designers should have learned the obvious lesson by now: you can ignore opponent AI if you can provide enough feedback and physics to make the vehicle a joy to drive whether you're off the front or being left behind. There's no joy of simply driving in this game.

SBK2001 (PC) has been out for almost 2 years, and it remains the only moto game that is fun and challenging. That said, I can't stand PC snobs and hope that GTA-Vice City's motorcycles will be fun to drive.

Get speed kings instead

1 Rating: 1, Useful: 4 / 5
Date: June 28, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Ugh. I was hoping this game would be like GT3, unfortunatly it's not. It shouldn't even be mentioned in the same breath.

PRO's
Lot of tracks
Can upgrade your helmet, suit, & motorcycle
Lots of Bikes

CON's
Third person view only!! Whats the use in buying upgrades & bikes when you can't see them while racing. You only see them when you crash.
Boring track designs
OK graphics
Brakes don't brake. It's the same as releasing the gas. No quick stops??
No redeeming value whats so ever. It doesn't keep your attention at all.

I suggesy getting speed kings. It's much more fun. If you really like bikes get this game used. I got mine for 20.00

DONT BUY THIS

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: February 12, 2003
Author: Amazon User

this is one of the worst bike racing games i have played.
remeber RoadRash for the genesis i would rather play that. i road race my R6 and i play the heck out of my ps2. this game doesnt do credit to either one. i played RS for all of 4 hours and took it back. i hope this review will save you 50 bucks

Could have been better

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: November 21, 2002
Author: Amazon User

With the populararity of the Grand Turismo and other racing simulators at an all-time high, it was only a matter of time before motorcyles got the treatment as well. In fact the fans have been clamoring for some kind of satisfaction regardless of incarnation. The result of such a demand is Riding Spirits. And while some of you may not notice its incredible resmblance to a certain award-winning franchise, it's quality of gameplay doesn't quite stack up. Graphically inferior to glitzy modernday racers, and no where near as fast as it should be, RS can't be compared to it's counterparts. Despite it's detailed apperance though, its hefty number of cycles, tracks, options, and features are sure to appeal to some. A more than acceptable finished product to be sure it could have been a lot better.

Fun But Far From Perfect

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 2 / 3
Date: October 25, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I've been looking forward to the release of this game since I first saw it advertised months before it came out. Maybe that anticipation built up my expectations too much. I was really looking forward to a motorcycle version of my favorite game Gran Turismo 3. This game is for better or worse the closest thing out there right now. MotoGP is a great game with good looking graphics and challenging game play but is limited to GP bikes and race tracks. With Riding Spirits you get your choice of real world motorcycles and street courses. I haven't played too deep into the game yet but have started to get a feel for it.

Some pluses are -
A fast build up to good bikes. It doesn't take too much time or money before you can purchase a GSX-750R or YZF-R6. There are a lot of aftermarket accessories too. I was pleased to see I could equip my rider with my own Arai and Shoei helmets, and I'm looking forward to trying out my own FZ1 and V-Max.
Tracks are well designed and allow for a lot of high speeds.
The physics are decent but not perfect. You have to remember to treat handling different than that of a car racing game. Once you have that down it's a lot of fun.

The minuses would be -
Poor graphics. The bikes are big and blocky. Colors and shading don't transistion well giving the game a slightly cartoonish look.
Frustrating handling. If you run wide on any curve and touch grass you loose tremendous distance with the rider in front of you. I would expect slow down in sand but it's bad everywhere.

All in all it's a fun enough game but I'm still waiting for Sony to include motorcycles in Gran Turismo 4 or better yet an all motorcycle version.

a good game

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 3
Date: July 23, 2004
Author: Amazon User

(...)Riding Spiris is a good game overall. The handling takes time to geet used to but [once] u learn when to brake its pretty fun. lots of good bikes. you earn money fast and in big amounts. oh yeah. for all u retards that think u can stop on a dime with a bike when you're goin 180 mph....you're wrong. try braking well before the turn. =P

Nice!

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: September 28, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I love this game! It's fun to unlock new bikes and choose you leathers and helmet for your rider. Upgrading the bikes is very nice to say the least. For some reason, the game kind of reminds me of an older Gran Turismo..but for bikes. I like that. You get street bikes and sport bikes of varying sizes and hp. A good number of tracks are there to race on..the ones through the mountainous areas are a lot of fun. I could use some better graphics...the reason for the 3 star overall...but this is an older game after all and well worth a bargin bin price. My one real beef with this game is that there is no in-race music while you are racing. The only music is on replays. That stinks! Oh well. That aside, I highly recommend this bike game.

Great game for motorcyclists

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: October 17, 2002
Author: Amazon User

After the first hour or two (which were a little frustrating), I was hooked. This game is way better than either of the Moto GP games. If you really like motorcycles, you shouldn't be disappointed.

Great for my kids

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: December 30, 2002
Author: Amazon User

My son (4 years old) recieved a PSII for Christmas along with RS and several other games. So far he has shown little interest in the other games but can't get enough of RS. It took him a while to figure out how to stear but once he got the hang of it he was hooked. Of coarse, he always comes in last and sticks to the simplest of tracks but that doesn't bother him in the least. He loves being able to pick his own bike, gear and helmet and reacing against his dad. His only complaint is he cannot figure out how to make the bike go faster.

Best PS2 Motorcycle Game.

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: May 09, 2003
Author: Amazon User

This is the best PS2 bike game available. It isn't perfect, the soundtrack is lacking and the graphics are nothing special. I do however enjoy the physics modelling and gameplay. If you brake while leaned over in a curve the bike will tend to stand up/run wide (very much like my own road going sport bike). The arcade modes are probably too hard for most but the career mode (Riding Spirit) is tonnes of fun. Now if they could spruce up the graphics, add some online play, and improve the soundtrack...

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