Review for MotoGP 18. Game for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch, the video game was released on 07/06/2018
Almost six months after the launch of Monster Energy Supercross: The Official Videogame, which took place on February 13, 2018, the Milanese studio Milestone is back on track with MotoGP 18, its latest effort, this time dedicated to the world championship of speed, better known as world championship. All three classes (MotoGP, Moto 2, Moto 3) are present in the title, available from 7 June 2018 for PS4, Xbox One and PC; Milestone said the game will soon be available for Nintendo Switch as well.
After five MotoGP bikes developed using a proprietary graphic engine, the Milanese studio decided to use Unreal Engine 4 and the graphic rendering of the centaurs and their two wheels has certainly benefited us: we are, in fact, facing the most graphically successful chapter of the entire MotoGP series. Undoubtedly a step forward, graphically, compared to the proprietary Milestone engine; so much beauty, however, has as its counteract the collapse of the frames per second: in fact, it goes from the 60 frames of the MotoGP 17 to the 30 of the 2018 edition. Surely more than one fan of two-wheeled racing will turn up their noses for this drastic drop.
The 19 tracks - including the brand new Thai stage of the Chang International Circuit - that make up the seventieth edition of the world championship are all realized in a very realistic way thanks to the skilful use of Drone Scanning technology. The atmospheric effects are also excellent, with a special mention to the performance of wet asphalt. Not least is the graphic rendering of the riders and the liveries of the motorcycles, obtained thanks to the 3D Scanning technology. The recognizability of the competitors goes well beyond the graphics: even the driving style of the individual riders is reproduced, from the preparation for the curve with the leg out of Valentino Rossi to the aggressive and aggressive style of the Spaniard Marc Marquez.
The tutorial is useful for both novices of the series and veterans, as the physics of the beloved two-wheelers have been slightly modified; if with all the driving aids present and the AI of the opponents with minimal aggression we will immediately feel like champions and falling from the saddle will be almost impossible, it will be quite another matter to be able to hang on to our roaring beast with the aids deactivated and the opposing riders ready to slip into the trajectory at our slightest mistake.
The Career mode, a true single-player fulcrum of MotoGP 18, sees the creation of our centaur and the latter's registration in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, where the rising stars of this sport compete in search of a landing place in the three main leagues. The short films at the end of the race are a pleasant addition and a first step towards a greater feeling with the rider. At the end of each race, he will receive reputation points; the higher our reputation gains, the greater the chance of winning a contract from a top-tier team. The addition of the possibility of developing the bike through participation in tests in the tests before qualifying is excellent, an excellent tool to prevent the tests from being skipped by the most listless. This mode is well developed and in line with the careers of other two or four-wheel racing titles but still remains quite anonymous when compared to other sports titles, FIFA and NBA 2K above all. Grand Prix, Time Trial and Championship modes close the single player experience.
A negative point is the disappearance of the managerial mode, launched in last year's chapter in a big way and absent unjustified this year. It was a very welcome addition to the Career, so I find Milestone's will not to include it in MotoGP 18 absolutely inexplicable.
On the other hand, the choice of focusing on eSports with the MotoGP eSport Championship section and the MotoGP ID was excellent: the first (still closed at the time of the review) will allow you to compete with virtual riders from all over the planet, while the second will offer players the opportunity to check your own performance and compare your stats with those of other drivers.
Milestone has finally abandoned the proprietary graphics engine to rely on Unreal Engine 4, a choice that has paid off in terms of quality and detail but which pays the duty of 30 fps. An improved Career mode from last year allows the title to have good single player playability. The absence of the Managerial modality is inexplicable. If the public responds well to the title, Milestone will have the opportunity to fully launch into the world of eSports. MotoGP 18 is an enjoyable but not free from defects title, both for a match every now and then and if you aim to become the new virtual Valentino Rossi.
► MotoGP 18 is a Racing Game type game developed and published by Milestone for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch, the video game was released on 07/06/2018
