It doesn’t feel like 12 months have passed since we last took our place on the grid and reviewed MotoGP 23, but it has and the series stalwart Italian developers Milestone are back with you guessed it… MotoGP 24. This will be the seventh title in the MotoGP series I have reviewed and as I say almost every year, can Milestone really mix things up enough to make even the most die-hard of fans part with their cash all over again?
Well, right off the starting line this year’s game aims to be more accessible which is positive, as racing bikes is really worlds apart from cars. Braking distances are longer and you need to throw your weight around the bike in hope of kissing the apex of every corner. So, to make things a bit more welcoming there are four core settings; Simplified, Intermediate, Advanced and Pro to pick from that will dial things into your skill set. From having to be a true master of your horsepower hungry machine, to having it basically ride itself with you only having to worry about a few inputs.
It’s a solid system, though the gap between Simplified and Intermediate is really big if you are trying to build your race craft. Like it or not you are going to end up going sideways sooner or later, but that’s been an element of the series for years, as no one (and I mean no one) is clocking fastest laps right out MotoGP 24’s box here.
This year’s instalment also has an Adaptive difficulty setting which is a bit clever, as it watches how you are racing and then starts to balance all the AI racers based on how you are doing. On paper you should never face an unbeatable ride and in practice I found all my races to be fair but challenging, as the AI never just laid down and let me take an easy win. There are also the three core classes of MotoGP bikes to throw your leg over, each bring their own challenges: from Moto 3 class – which are a bit slower and overall easier to get your head around – to the wild Moto 2 class, which are by far the hardest to harness the power from; and of course there is the premier MotoGP class, which are not has wild as you may think, thanks to having lots of electronic aids. Plus MotoE is penned to be joining the pack at some point in the future through an update, which will add an interesting spin on things as well. And it goes without saying with it being an official game of the series that MotoGP 24 does have all the licensed teams, bikes and rides from this season, as well as the tracks and an artic truck load of licensed gear and kit. The likes of Shoei, Alpinestars and Sidi all make a digital appearance.
In terms of changes to the game, the biggest has to be the stewarding system that will monitor any races or pre-race sessions, and if you or the AI have been showing poor race craft it will issue you with time penalties and the like. With it being a computer-controlled system, this virtual ref of sorts does get more than a few calls wrong I find. Especially I found during qualifying when you are squeezing to get this quickest time, which is a pain as you get hit with a penalty during the actual race. As for career mode it’s business as usual for the most part, but this year sees a new feature that adds a bit of spice to things. The Riders Market – a feature “stolen” from the F1 titles let’s be honest – sees riders switch teams during seasons. It can make for some real WTF moments, as it unleashes a true “what if” universe on the world of MotoGP 24. Like if a rider stays in Moto2 instead of moving up to MotoGP, or one of the teams bins their star rider or more interestingly that star joins a weaker team.
Turning Points and Rivalries Races also make a return, which will see you earning upgrades if you come out as the winner. When not on the grid there is a bit of chat as you get fake tweets from other riders and the like, you can respond nicely or be a dick, which again is an F1 style system as well… not a bad thing. To be fair a lot of small tweaks in MotoGP 24’s career mode are seen, especially compared to last year’s leap forward, but they are minor that add to it as a whole, making it really fun for fans of the sport. Beyond the single player side of things, the game also features the rarest of beasts – a split-screen mode (!), as well as online modes where you can duke it out with your mates. Though the best multiplayer mode is the LiveGP which are set sessions of ten races you can race in each month, where you’ll be awarded an overall rank and likely where the best of the best will be found. The customisation system also returns this year where you can build your own rider and kit them in your dream helmet and leathers, or if you’re feeling creative you can head to the editor and craft a few of your own designs and then share them with the community.
Graphically it’s as good as last year’s with highly modelled riders and bikes and so-so tracks beyond the black stuff, though the game seems to also have a much more muted colour palette and is overall less saturated; oddly meaning things have a bit more of a real-world vibe. When the heavens open and it rains everything just looks so good – with rain drops beading on the camera. Sound-wise it’s a Milestone game, so no music during races as is their way, and your soundtrack for most of the game is you ringing the neck of a Moto2 bike pushing for the line, or the throaty rasp of a MotoGP monster as you drop the throttle. As for elsewhere there are a few tracks, with the official MotoGP theme being the main one, so you best like it as you’ll hear it… a lot.
MotoGP 24 is less of a reinvention and more of an upgrade… a little like the Shoei NeoTec 3 helmet – an amazing helmet, but it’s best for first time buyers and not those who own a NeoTec 2. Sure, it has new bits that really do add to it as a whole, but it’s just not enough to justify the extra asking price from £419.98 to £589.99 (and that’s just for gloss black). That said die-hard fans of the MotoGP series, and the NeoTec range for that matter, will find some value in these new offerings, it’s just a harder sell to the more casual fan.
An Xbox review copy of MotoGP 24 was provided by Milestone’s PR team, and the game is available now on PC, Xbox, Switch and PlayStation for around £50.
The Verdict
Stuart Cullen
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