I had an amazing experience this past week and can’t wait to share it with you. My “co-pilot” for the trip back home was an ex-motorcycle racer. And he was quite jealous to hear that I had gotten my hands on the new MotoGP 24, as he was eager to play it, too.
You can feel the experience (watered down as it is) from the comfort of your home, with a minimum budget and zero chances of getting hurt. I would still recommend going out for a track day on your motorcycle if it’s an option, as it’s bound to be memorable. But for most people, it may just be an unreachable dream. I tested Milestone’s MotoGP 23 last year and realized how challenging it was if you wanted the whole shebang. At the time, I was certain I’d love to get better at it and spend more time going through the Moto3 and Moto2 series.
Somehow, I couldn’t justify returning to it, as I preferred just going out for rides on my Suzuki SV650S. With MotoGP 24 coming up, I only felt slightly excited to have a go at it. Milestone has been at it since 2013, with 11 titles coming out since. I remember waiting four years for Warcraft 3 to come out. And I’m sure GTA players have even more to say on the topic. There’s no doubt that the MotoGP franchise has come a long way since its early days. But I don’t think you can always expect huge improvements from one year to another.
I noticed a few players complaining that the 2023 iteration was one of the worst yet, while others feel like it’s all just a Copy and Past kind of development. I decided to ignore all the naysayers and decide for myself. Once I installed the game on the PS5, I opted for the Pro riding mode as I remembered how badly I disliked the Neural Aids last year. For my riding style, I opted for the “elbows to the ground.” as most of the young riders seem to have adopted this way of going around the corners.
Photo: autoevolution
At first glance, it was hard to understand how this was a new game. But the first thing that hit me was the sound of the bike: it felt more real, vivid, and thrilling. That goes for all three classes, but I particularly enjoyed the Moto2 bikes. I decided to check out the Career Mode, heading straight to the qualifying session. I was quickly reminded that even the slower Moto3 motorcycles can wheelie while accelerating hard out of a corner.
You’ll need smooth control inputs, which can be challenging if you plan on being the fastest. But I somehow had more fun than I had with MotoGP 23. I skipped the first race to check out the scenery in Sepang, and I laughed, seeing that two AI players crashed immediately after exiting the pit lane. That doesn’t sound like something you’d see in the real world. The track was wet, and I could almost smell the rain in the air; that’s how impressive the graphics are.
If you ever want to become a pro at this game, going through the Moto3 class is an absolute must. When the asphalt is wet, you’ll have to be even more careful with your lines, braking, and acceleration, and you can feel the controller vibrating with every small mistake. I was too eager to take it slow and was in last place for the main race. And it was there that I experienced the new MotoGP Stewards: after making contact with an opponent, I had to serve a Long Lap Penalty.
That will keep you on your toes the next time you try to overtake 20 riders in one go. I’m shocked Milestone hasn’t included this feature before, but it’s still better than never. The dynamic weather controls will add more excitement to the game and remind you how hardcore MotoGP riders are. The new title has several novelties to show off, like the Riders Market and the Live Championship, but I honestly couldn’t care less about that.
Photo: autoevolution
Given the nature of the game, all I care about is getting closer to the limit of those bikes while having fun. And with the risk of repeating myself, don’t skip the Moto3 class if you aren’t highly experienced with MotoGP games. I realized I’m currently faster on a Moto2 bike around Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya than on a MotoGP one (even though I hit 211 mph (340 kph) down the main straight on the latter). I’m sure some people will enjoy customizing their rider, creating new helmet graphics, etc. We’re all different, so that’s ok.
Conclusion
MotoGP 24 feels slightly more enjoyable than MotoGP 23. The riding physics seems to have improved. Even though I have limited experience racing bikes at the track, it all feels real to me. Playing this game can fill the void of not having access to an actual motorcycle. And I can see how you could spend at least 50 hours inside of it without being bored.
If you already have any of the older titles in your library and struggle to get the money for the new game, you might want to think about it twice. If money is no issue, I’d say go for it, as it’s more refined than its predecessors. I just hope the future will bring some VR support and a better alternative to the current controllers. Otherwise, I’ll probably stick to spending more hours inside Gran Turismo 7 or riding my Suzuki.
RATING 96/100