MotoGP 24 Review: Serene Intensity

Another year brings the latest in the annual motorcycle racing sim stalwart, and MotoGP 24 has continued to bring both realism and approachability to the longstanding franchise. This marks the 12th title since developer Milestone took over in 2013, and they'll continue to hold the reigns for at least two more games after this one.

There's no denying just how gorgeous MotoGP 24 looks, but does the core gameplay pair well with those visuals? In this MotoGP 24 review, we'll take a closer look at whether players need to race out of the pit to snag the latest edition.

MotoGP 24 Review

For both new and returning players, the first challenge of MotoGP 24 is just going to be adjusting to the game's physics and managing not to crash regularly. It's not quite at the strict simulation tier that some of the most die-hard players want, but most longtime players have felt the physics in MotoGP 24 are the best this series has been in years. They've also got plenty of extra settings to crank up the difficulty and truly challenge yourself.

On the other end of the spectrum, built-in assists are all over the place for those looking to enjoy a less stressful experience. Whether you're using the scaled down casual settings or push things up to expert levels, the immersion of MotoGP 24 keeps the tension high with all the little ways each precarious turn can be felt. Especially if the track is wet.

Even on the easiest settings, you'll likely start to notice your body instinctively leaning in unison with the bike as you hit each corner. Crashing around a curve isn't anything new to racing games, but there's something about the knees and elbows to the ground action of MotoGP 24 that makes it truly hit different. If you don't listen to the minute vibrations of the controller, you absolutely will wipe out on a corner.

Players who are looking to improve as they go can also take advantage of Adaptive AI that gradually increases (or decreases) your difficulty based on each performance. If you're worried about high difficulties but feel low ones are too easy, try setting Adaptive AI low and rolling through career mode to see how it adjusts.

To add to that intensity and immersion, MotoGP 24 delivers some of the most crisp simulation graphics in racing and pairs it with upgraded audio this year. The sights and sounds are undeniable, and that rings true across an extensive track selection that includes a few historic options as well.

Career mode got a major improvement in MotoGP 24 thanks to the new rider market feature, as you can now swap teams and see every single rider across the league switch teams at the close of each season. This makes long-term play in career mode far more interesting, and it's a welcome addition to anyone who felt things got too repetetive in recent years.

There are still a few areas where MotoGP 24 falls a bit short of what many hope to see, including an absence of classic riders and bikes to utilize. Perhaps the most disappointing area of MotoGP 24 is the extremely basic character creator. There are great cutscenes before and after big races, but limited customization hampers how special that could feel.