Driving video games are having a very, very sweet moment and the Italians from Milestone were not going to stay watching the show without taking part: as is tradition, MotoGP 22 returns for these dates positioning itself as the great alternative for those passionate about professional motorcycling on PC and consoles. A new delivery that is fully aware of the advantages and responsibilities derived from being the official video game of the World ChampionshipOf course, but it is also clear how to evolve and take several steps forward within the saga itself.
And despite the fact that there is a whole variety of video games dedicated to the culture of motorcycling and two-wheel driving in its different competitive disciplines, some of them like MXGP 2021 with the signature of Milestone itself, the title with which it is measured frontally the new delivery of MotoGPits genuine rival, is precisely the edition of the previous season. What has changed from one year to another? On Extra Life We have had the opportunity to find out first hand.
First things first: fans of the video game series MotoGP since Milestone took the reins of the millionaire license they will find themselves at home with the new installment. That’s not bad, for the record: on a visual and playable level MotoGP 21 It was already highly polished, and we were even blown away by how good it looked and felt at the controls of MotoGP 20 on Nintendo Switch. And beware, that in Milestone they have made it very clear in all their games that they have found the point for the DualSense in each new game from the studio released on New Generation consoles.
Because it must be recognized that the Italians have managed to find the best way to transfer the emotion of the competition to the traditional controls. That said, the great success of MotoGP 22 and the thing to keep in mind is what it brings in terms of content compared to its predecessor. New modes, new experiences and better finishes. Novelties elaborated both for the veterans of the saga and for those who will tackle it for the first time.
We are not going to fool ourselves, if driving is an experience more or less dedicated to a very specific audience, motorcycling games narrow the circle more, so we have to be a little more demanding in this aspect to meet expectations. At this point in the game, we already had all the official licenses of the 74th edition of the Motorcycle World Championship. It is not a small thing, quite the opposite: we are talking about more than 120 official drivers and more than 20 official circuits.
So the way of grow from MotoGP 22 It is based not only on establishing what you already have, but on rounding off the whole based on good ideas.
MotoGP and the challenge of raising the bar for another season
The new MotoGP is back with the new season of the Motorcycle World Championship as the basis and main attraction, it settles on the controls and on the screen what it was already good at and has also taken note of what it faltered in previous editions. In fact, and as you will see, the two weak points of our MotoGP 21 analysis have been successfully addressed. Over the past few days, Milestone gave us the opportunity to thoroughly test a development version of MotoGP 22and the sensations that this new installment already transmits are quite positive.
Those of Milan have also known how to measure the dates very well, for the record. Letting us try the game more or less coinciding with the start of the season during the Qatar Grand Prix and that this preview arrives on the eve of the Indonesian Grand Prix makes us get into their game. That we change the chip and the mentality after the barrage of bombings in consoles and desktops related to the world of motorsports. Because MotoGP 22 deserves separate treatment.
Getting into the matter, the feeling of driving on two wheels remains the highlight of the proposal. It is no longer just a matter of looking for the perfect line on the main circuits at absurd speeds, but of take even more into account aspects such as balance or weight. Something that is done in a more or less intuitive way if you come from previous deliveries, which is approached with a certain recklessness based on the fact that you have a rewind option and that, by the way, makes one of the first novelties shine with its own light: nothing more start playing we had access to a driving academy. A kind of specific tutorial for the game much more interesting than in previous installments.
The essential idea is to reaffirm the playable bases, promote that we bet on a higher degree of realism and welcome curious and casual players. As we already mentioned, MotoGP is a saga focused on a very specific player profile and the physics have a more pronounced role than in car racing games. In this regard, the restatement MotoGP Academy teaches us to give our best or to get rid of us quickly the training wheels based on very specific challenges. A success, however you look at it.
The other novelty that we will soon find when we appear in the menus, and after practicing a little or what we consider necessary, is another of the weak points that we highlighted from the previous installment has been resolved: MotoGP 22 already offers split screen racing in the version that we have been able to play. And beware, despite the fact that we did not have access to the online multiplayer, that in what refers to it from Milestone they advance us that there will be cross-play between the consoles of different generations (PS4 and PS5 or Xbox One and Xbox Series X / S).
From the starting wheels to the podium
When it comes to finishes, Milestone has also been able to do the homework. Although we have not been able to create a pilot to our liking -at least, with the played version- it is noticeable that the modeling has received a notable push and they are much more comfortable using the Unreal Engine.
Which also applies to the counterpoints of the motorcycling legends that we will have access to. And not only that, as we will see a little further down, in MotoGP 22 more value will be given to four legends of the two wheels through a new mode created for the occasion.
But, returning to the playable novelties, we find that there are big changes in this edition that are only perceptible to the controls. The sensation of adapting to the surface of the tracks or the wear of the tires themselves are elements that have more presence in each lap, and although we will notice the first when leaning over, the second can also be more or less controlled at through the game interface itself.
That which, with a couple of adjustments we can establish the degree of simulation that we want to access and, by extension, the type of difficulty as a pilot that we want to be exposed to. Leaving the door open to go back for enough seconds as we go and as many times as we want, both to take the last corner better and to avoid ending up on the ground with our motorcycle and, of course, saving ourselves from an unnecessary collision.
Although Milestone complies with the gaming academy, it also cares and takes the player’s experience seriously, trying to help them find the configuration that best suits their style or what they are looking for in MotoGP 22 through specific advice and recommendations after each race. In addition, of course, to those offered during the loading times themselves.
Elements aligned in the right direction, of course, but the star novelty has its own name: (NINE) Season 2009a kind of custom-made story mode.
(NINE) Season 2009: the return of a historic season
The 2009 MotoGP Season was hectic. Enough so that Milestone focuses on it and makes it compete with current content when it comes to giving additional value to MotoGP 22: Following in the footsteps of contemporary driving games, such as GRID Legends, has been introduced (NINE) Season 2009, a kind of story mode created for the occasion and based on that mythical stage of motorcycling. A powerful claim that we will live through its four protagonists: Rossi, Pedrosa, Stoner and Lorenzo.
The premise of (NINE) Season 2009 it’s quite simple, but it’s very well thought out: Milestone has created and integrated into the game a documentary based on real events and proposes us to take part in the events through the protagonists. Putting ourselves in context, of course, but setting ourselves very defined objectives.
The Season of (NINE) Season 2009 is made up of a series of Chapters with a -logically- pre-established plot which, in turn, are divided into different episodes with main and secondary objectives. Constantly promoting that we match the milestones of the icons of the two wheels.
The version to which we had access included the first chapters of (NINE) Season 2009 and the result manages to convince, although the circumstances are what they are: the responsibility of equaling mythical records and moments and facing historical rivals. A bad line or a fall and your plan collapses. Luckily, and as we mentioned,he rewind option will save us more than one disappointment and it will give us enough margin to do something silly.
Logically, the entry into the equation of the 2009 MotoGP Season gives another attraction to the game that adds extra value to this installment: in addition to the circuits and riders of the new MotoGP season that has just started, as well as Moto 2 and Moto 3, we find that even in Quick Modes like New Grand Prix, Time Trial or Split Screen we have access to the pilots and circuits of the 2009 Season. As it should be!
MotoGP 22, the return of professional motorcycling to video games
The official video game of the World Championship returns with the tasks done and, despite the fact that it is still relatively early to draw our definitive conclusions for the final version of MotoGP 22what has been played has given us great sensations and the two points have already been removed against our analyzes compared to the previous edition.
But not only that: Milestone is clear about what to contribute to stand out from the previous installment and provide new value for the fan of the saga. Not only in terms of news, but also through a story mode full of fan service regarding the official competition and that, as it should be, squeeze the best of a license that gives a lot of play.
We will closely follow the evolution of the game in view of its launch. Above all, considering that we have not yet had access to two key experiences for it, such as online multiplayer or the game itself. trajectory modewhich has been one of the highlights of the previous edition.
All in all, the appetizer of the (NINE) Season 2009 mode has already left us with a very good taste in our mouths and if in the playable MotoGP 22 has retained all the successes of the previous editions, its novelties and the new help for new players round out more and better a game designed with a very clear purpose: bring the genuine thrill of motorcycling to video games.
The key date: MotoGP 22 will be available next april 21 on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch. Three days before the Portuguese Grand Prix. Definitely, Milestone has everything planned and very well tied for another season.
- Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC, and Switch
- Multiplayer: Yes
- Developer: Milestones
- Company: Milestones
- Release: April 21, 2022