Punctual like a Swiss watch (but in this case Milanese), the guys at Milestone are putting on the market the new chapter dedicated to the world championship, for all lovers of prototypes on two wheels at the highest levels. MotoGP 24 shows innovations in physics, graphics and certain particular features of the paddock. Let’s not waste any more time, put on your helmet, suit and let’s hit the track for our review of MotoGP 24.
Like old times
The introduction to the game is as usual dedicated to the creation of your virtual alter ego, with patches on the suit, boots, race number, helmet and so on. We will also be able to choose the motorbike to use as the background of the menu, among all those present in the championship. The game consists of the classic career, time trial, championship and custom grand prix modes, as well as the online section. Mindful of past years, the circuit tutorials are back, where you can get used to curves, straights and slopes waiting to be discovered.
As was the case with last year’s chapter, i.e. MotoGP 23, also in this season the beating heart of the game is undoubtedly the career. We will start from the last 3 races of the Moto3 season so that we can then, based on our results, decide which team to go to for the following year. We will be able to choose all 3 categories (Moto3, Moto2, MotoGP) based on our preferences. There is therefore nothing to stop you from making the big leap (impossible in reality) from Moto3 to MotoGP, but we are still in a video game.
Big little gameplay news
We will immediately discover two important gameplay innovations: the MotoGP Stewards and the Rider Market. The first is essentially penalizing the AI for incorrect behavior on the track. These include cutting corners, swinging doors, unsportsmanlike behavior and so on. The AI can also be sanctioned with Long Lap Penalties, with all due respect to the dynamics seen so far. It is a great breath of fresh air that was needed, and which brings the game to a better level of fair play.
The riders market is exactly what you think, that is, the possibility for various jockeys to change teams over the course of the various seasons. Starting from the assumption that it would be correct to pass through all three categories to fully enjoy the MotoGP 24 experience, this would also allow us to see evolutions of jerseys. Who knows, we all dream of Marc Marquez in an official Ducati or other sensational promotions.
Loved or hated, it’s up to us
At the end of each career event we will have a social showcase in which to read the comments made by other drivers regarding races, qualifications, tests and so on. It will be our discretion to answer or not, and choose how to do so. We may be kind and accommodating, or surly and arrogant. In this way we will influence the personal experiences of the pilots and their mutual appreciation. This will then also be reflected on the track (and vice versa), spicing up the championship.
This also allows, during the MotoGP season, to influence the development of the bike. Our results will precede our fame, but in this way we will be able to push even more on the right buttons to have a bike that is better suited to our needs. After all, as we know, the first rival on the track is your teammate.
Refined and improved physics
Anyone who tries MotoGP 23 immediately before MotoGP 24 will believe they have the wrong title. In fact, the two games are very similar in terms of the aesthetics of the menus but very different once on the track. First of all, the impact of physics is different. The motorbikes seem extremely more brutal and powerful, violent, vigorous, but at the same time tamable with a series of precautions. It is clear that we need to get carried away, but once we understand the limits of physics we can exploit it to our advantage.
For example, the bike will become severely understeer when under full acceleration and this can be useful for exiting corners with wide open throttle when still leaning. By taking advantage of the understeer we will be able to gain a few tenths by being able to accelerate earlier, with the bike pointing towards the outside of the curve.
Another feature that catches the eye is the folding speed, improved compared to last year and decidedly satisfactory. This allows you to have more control, be more direct, and more precise, especially when changing direction. It becomes more fun to drive, even if it is an undertaking that requires numerous precautions, given the cavalry of the vehicles.
Last, but not least, the possibility of choosing the dynamic difficulty, which will gradually adapt to our skills on the track, always guaranteeing an acceptable level of challenge and suited to our performance. In this way there is no need to set a more aggressive AI from time to time, being able to enjoy the game more.
Remarkable graphic makeover
The graphic impact of MotoGP 24 is remarkable, once on the track. If very little has changed in the menus, when you go to test the asphalt you immediately see the aesthetic refinement work carried out by the Milanese team. In particular, the sensation of speed is much greater, but also the attention to detail is much greater. The entire layout of the tracks has benefited, both in dry and wet conditions, but especially at night there are clear improvements.
The impact, compared to last year, is notable and demonstrates how great the ambitions of Milestone are, a studio that always aims upwards and never stops innovating.
A sore point regarding the graphics is to be found once again in the facial expressions, reflections and shadows of the various human figures involved in the paddock and on the starting grid. There is work to be done there, and seeing certain expressions and certain “backward” plays of light clashes greatly with the rest of the title.
Tropheistically speaking: a Platinum divided into three seasons
The MotoGP24 trophy list is made up of fifty-one cups, divided into 38 bronze, 10 silver, two gold and a glittering Platinum. Conquering the latter will require completing the championship three times in your career for each specialty, completing all the tutorials and obtaining at least fifty bronze medals in the circuit Academy. There will also be some online trophies such as those related to the helmet editor, reaching the online podium 3 times and little else. It will take around 30 hours to complete everything, especially if you choose the shortened championships and not the full seasons.
