What’s on this week
VIDEO GAME REVIEW MOTOGP 20 RRP £49.99
Choosing to bring forward the release date of a video game by almost two months is either indicative of a developer’s confidence, or it’s a risky move that ends up with a half-baked product. Fortunately for motorcycle fans restless since the postponement of the real-life season, Milestone’s release of
Motogp 20 is an example of the former.
A redesigned handling model, revamped career mode and the reintroduction of historic content are just some of the successful elements of Milestone’s eighth instalment in its Motogp gaming franchise.
Career mode now features a personal manager who will negotiate your rise through the ranks. Gamers can start from Moto3 and work their way to the top class, or elect to jump straight into Motogp from the start. Unfortunately, there is no Motoe or
Red Bull Rookies Cup included, but that void is somewhat filled by the returning historic mode.
In career mode, you also hire and delegate personnel to work in your R&D department, where the engine, frame, aerodynamics and electronics can be enhanced. You earn points by achieving objectives set by your team as well as completing development tasks in practice, giving the sessions more emphasis.
The R&D factor also creates interesting dilemmas. Should you stick with a KTM for a couple of seasons and develop it to the front of the Motogp pack, or simply use your manager to negotiate you a ride on a factory Honda or Ducati?
It’s a shame all riders stay with their respective teams for the entirety of their careers. There isn’t the transfer market that we see in Codemasters’ Formula 1 franchise.
Customisation in the Motogp game is better than ever – you can edit your livery, helmet and riding gear. User-created content from other gamers can also be applied to your in-game rider, giving you plenty of options and inspiration.
The historic mode features plenty of bikes and riders from the two and four-stroke eras. These are not just simply tacked onto the game. Instead they feature in a dedicated mode, where gamers can complete challenges of varying difficulty to unlock more nostalgia. There are also two old-timer tracks in Donington Park and Laguna Seca alongside the 20 official Motogp circuits.
The handling model has been revamped for this year, with the benefits felt particularly through the slow-speed corners. As with any racing game, it will not be to everyone’s liking, but it strikes a sturdy balance between simulation and accessibility.
With the addition of fuel, traction control and brake management while riding, newcomers or casual fans may find the experience overwhelming at first. The game does little to ease you into what can be a tough challenge – even with several riding aids turned on.
This can result in a steep learning curve for some, and they may be put off just moments into the game. The AI difficulty slider does do something to compensate for this, but it’s quite inconsistent from track to track. This may well be smoothed out in an upcoming patch, but it’s one typical downside of an early release.
Online multiplayer has proved solid in release week, particularly important given Motogp’s own Esports ambitions. Its real-life riders will take part in the first Virtual GP in May, and the fourth Esports season for
the top virtual riders will begin shortly.
The quality of this game will be particularly important to motorcycle fans devastated that half of the real-life season has already been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Milestone has delivered another solid entry into the series, which will provide fans with plenty to do until the racing action gets underway again. Motogp 20 is available now on Xbox One, Playstation 4, Steam, Google Stadia and Nintendo Switch.