Is this racing game worth buying?
Ever since Italian developer Milestone regained the MotoGP license in 2013, fans were entitled to annual registrations. Considering the studio juggles a number of annual franchises in addition to original endeavors like Hot Wheels Unleashed, it is not uncommon for the changes to be quite nominal. However, MotoGP 22 features a stellar new mode that celebrates the sport’s past and also continues to polish the overall gameplay, making it one of the studio’s most impressive efforts to date.
Unlike some of Milestone’s other motorcycle racing games, such as the recently released Monster Energy Supercross 5, the bikes are not easy to handle. Weighing over 346 pounds, Grand Prix bikes need time to turn unlike a dirt bike, which creates a very methodical type of racing, which cannot rely on last-second turns and requires a lot of preparation. to enter a bend. road. Milestone has spent over a decade refining its MotoGP event simulation and the racing is going pretty well in MotoGP 22 as the sense of speed and sheer power of these bikes mixed with the deliberate maneuverability creates a unique racing feel compared to other games in the genre.
Considering this is the second release of the series on PlayStation 5, I was hoping it would take full advantage of the DualSense controller. After all, Grand Prix motorcycle racing is an intense test for the man trying to push a powerful machine to its limits, straddling the line between speed and safety. When watching a race, there’s an exciting aspect to seeing a rider go almost horizontal around a curve, a display of physics where you can’t believe the bike stays on two wheels.
Admittedly, it’s asking a lot to ask a video game to try to recreate that high-speed thrill where an error is usually only noticeable once you fly off a motorcycle onto the pavement, but MotoGP 22 could use the controller’s force feedback to communicate to players the details that occur when a bike is about to straddle that dangerous line and thus allow players to correct their trajectory in real time like an experienced cyclist does. Instead, the game has a fairly standard implementation of the rumble that occurs when you’re off track or crashed, which is fine but doesn’t quite communicate the sense of danger that should be there.
The biggest addition this year is a historic mode called Nine Season 2009, which chronicles the eventful season that saw legendary Italian speedster Valentino Rossi win his ninth and final MotoGP championship. This mode stands out and is quite remarkable because of the way it celebrates the season from the perspective of four now-retired legends: Rossi, his main rival in Casey Stoner, his teammate who sought to surpass him in Jorge Lorenzo, and little Dani Pedrosa. it seemed to prove he could be successful on the bigger bikes. This more intimate perspective sets it apart from many sports title modes that simply seek to celebrate the greatest moments on a less personal scale.
So not only can you relive the jovial moments of Rossi’s victories, but you can also follow the four drivers as their seasons are marked by triumph and disappointment. The neatly edited video packages that complement the multi-part races also play their part in making this mode more special. Milestone built it for its hardcore audience, as the developer isn’t afraid to dive deep into the little details that make this specific season so interesting. Everything from the significant impact felt by riders from switching to Michelin’s Bridgestone tires to the unpredictable rain conditions forcing riders to choose when to stop and use their secondary bikes is covered. It would have been so easy to make this mode just a celebration of Rossi’s accomplishment, but it’s more of a love letter and an examination of the whole sport and human riders that makes it so spectacular.
Beyond that, MotoGP 22 has the usual host of expected modes. There’s the central career mode, which allows players to race in MotoGP or its two lower classes. There’s enough meat here to keep players entertained for several seasons as they grow a full crew around their created pilot, going so far as to hire agents and other crew members who improve business deals and player’s track performance. There’s also a surprisingly in-depth suite of creation tools for those looking to create their own bike and helmet liveries, which is a nice touch but nothing entirely new to the series.
Whether you just want to gear up and race the iconic courses of MotoGP or are looking to relive the 2009 season in one of the best historic modes ever offered in a racing game, you can’t go wrong with the offer of This year. It doesn’t matter if you picked up last year’s game or not, MotoGP 22 is a worthwhile purchase that doesn’t need the typical caveats attached to it like most annualized deductibles. Milestone has continued to flesh out its runner with more than just additional coats of polish, making it an easy recommendation.
SCORE: 8/10
As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 8 equals “Excellent”. While there are a few minor issues, this score means the art serves its purpose and leaves a memorable impact.
