If it's not broken don't fix it.
If you never have played Moto GP you are in for a treat but also in for a challenge. I have never been able to master the series yet but I sure have fun being a novice. Its a true testament to a game when it can be frustrating but so addictive you find it hard to put down the controller. The difficulty is in learning to brake and power slide. This is simple on games like Ridge Racer and Project Gotham Racing but a whole new experience on a bike. The gameplay walks a tight rope between arcade and simulation to effectively satisfy both camps. There are many different theories on which controller configuration is best but most agree the default controls do not work the best so check out a GameFAQs or experiment to see what works for you.
The player models, pavement and most of the scenery is awesome especially on a high-def TV but its still noticable on standard ones as well. There are some tracks and scenery that did not seem to get the full next-gen treatment but those are few and you should be focusing on your racing lines rather than the landscape. One flaw that is noticable to some is an intermittent dose of screen tearing which can be distracting at times but is not as noticable as it was in Blazing Angels. Climax said this was a sacrafice they had to make to keep things at 60fps. Not everyone sees it and it never has caused me to crash but it is jarring. Some also complain that their are frame rate issues both off and online. I have never seen it when playing on 720p and 1080i so again its not everyone. Sound is, as always, extremely well done in this game. The bikes sounds as powerful as you imagine. The music tracks is also a good selection.
Singleplayer is a nice and lengthy offering career, training, challenges and quick races. Customizing your own racer gives you a lot of options in how your racer looks and even more so for your bike. As you complete races, challenges, etc. you earn points to improve your bikers abilities in cornering, braking, top speed and acceleration. Multiplayer is the ultimate ride where you can take your custom rider or take a rider from the 2005 pro racers and compete against up to 16 racers. Take note that most of the online community is pretty aggressive about their skillz so you may want to make sure you get some time in single player before taking them on.
The tracks are pretty much the same as in Moto GP 3 with a couple of additions and thankfully the extreme tracks have been widened to avoid pile ups. However, as fans of the Winning Eleven series can testify, if it's not broken don't fix it. It would have been nice if Climax did offer a little more in this edition or offered it at a reduced cost. Also, Moto GP needs an infusion of personality.