RIDE 4 has finally received the next-gen update from Milestone. The title runs perfectly on PlayStation 5 and the news is not just about graphics. If you have already purchased the title for the old gen, rest assured: the update is absolutely free on new consoles and it will be downloaded automatically like any update. Ride 4 will continue to turn on anyway PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, as well as the PC version of course. Let's see where the changes are and how to approach the updated game.
Lower the visor and gas!
The element that immediately catches the eye when you pick up the DualSense is to have it in front of you a completely new driving game. Adaptive controls return much more sensitivity to the controls, especially regarding the throttle. The adaptive lever allows you to be much more gradual in opening the throttle e the analogs allow you to be much more precise in going down the lean. The driving model remains challenging, but the new feedback that the controls give to the player allows you to have much more feeling with the bike and consequently make many fewer mistakes. Very beautifulimplementation inherent to the operation of the LEDs around the DualSense touchpad, which light up according to the engine rpm, giving that extra touch of originality. The pad's adaptability is such that the feeling changes significantly even when tire wear occurs. The only flaw is given by the fact that the game physics has been changed with a patch already in the old gen, perhaps to meet casual gamers. In practice, the driving model forgives many more mistakes, such as ending up in gravel without falling almost immediately as it did before. For us it would be better to take a step back, but the audience to be satisfied is large and it is understandable that Milestone wanted to please as many players as possible.
The title was widely supported after the release, adding DLC with new tracks and new bikes. The fact that they are paid could be a cause for complaint, perhaps more free content could have been given more, but it is equally true that with a few euros you can take practically everything. They are choices, shareable or not. The advice we can give you is to try the game thoroughly and get used to the new driving model, before purchasing the various DLCs. The contents are however ample already from the launch, with the various championships and the bikes made available. The races with several bikes on the track are very crowded and, especially in the starts, it is necessary to pay attention to the early stages, in order to avoid being shot in some way out by opponents who are always tough and very un-zealous.
Graphics and Audio
Ride 4 on next-gen is a joy to behold. On old gen it was still beautiful, but here we are really on another level. The models of the bike and the tracks are even more defined, the plays of light create even more suggestive atmospheres and, ultimately, playing with them is even more beautiful and immersive. With support for 4K resolution and constant 60 fps, the number of motorcycles on the track has increased both in single player and in online races. The audio sector has not changed, the excellent level presented on old gen is reaffirmed here, with excellent diversification of the rumble of the engines, all faithful to their real counterparts and perfectly distinguishable.
Multiplayer
The multiplayer of Ride 4 is well managed and very stable already in the old gen. The increase in resources and disposition with the next gen will guarantee races with multiple drivers on the track, to the full advantage of the spectacularity and unpredictability of the races. It will be necessary to see if the servers will remain stable and if the improvements will not undermine the platform, but given the quality expressed by Milestone, we are ready to bet that everything will go smoothly. It is a game also used in eSports, with official drivers competing with world records.
Ride 4 is a game that deserves full attention. Milestone has put in its own and has come up with a decidedly high-level title. The update made on the next gen consoles is wonderful, both in terms of graphics and in terms of interaction with the PlayStation 5 pad. The advice we give you is to absolutely try it, also because the game is much more usable than before, despite the game physics update was not digested by all players.
