We don’t want to have to keep reiterating the same points about the limited time you have when you’re using your iPhone when out and about, and the iOS fast switching update which makes it even more essential to retain game progress, but Motocross Pro Rider just had to make you complete a six course run without getting interrupted; it doesn’t even save between courses.

That isn’t good enough. No matter how good the game.

As it is, the game offers up two different modes along with a practice mode that allows you to practice on courses that you may be stuck on. Both modes utilise the same courses, spread over six different locations and they both play the same, including that frustrating excuse for a save system. The only difference is that the freestyle mode works off a points tally, which ticks down; you can boost it with points that you earn from performing tricks. Trial mode doesn’t allow you to perform these tricks, save for the back-flip and front-flip which basically involve you tipping the bike either way and landing right side up.

The physics are somewhat floaty with the bike feeling very light; this helps you to perform tricks but it isn’t a very convincing simulation. You can choose the control scheme that suits you too; a nice touch is that the onscreen buttons can be moved about the screen to suit your playing style, or if you simply want them nearer the edge to maximise the viewable area. The accelerometer control wasn’t really worth playing with for us so we just stuck with the buttons.

Another nice touch is that when you go onto the next course, the timer waits until you hit the accelerate button, instead of starting automatically like in many games.

Where the game is weakest in is its graphical assets; menu items have a mediocre looking blurry texture and some of the fonts aren’t as crisp as they should be on the device’s screen. In-game they don’t fare much better, as the terrain is painted in a single texture with an occasional tree and a static, dull background; parallax scrolling would have helped here.

Overall, the fact is that the iPhone is a mobile device and if a game is released that is not suitable for a mobile device we will call it out. Motocross Pro Rider just happens to be the latest game to fail this most basic requirement. But even if you took that part out you’d find a game with floaty physics and mediocre graphics; something in need of some care and attention.

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