RIDE 6 is yet another motorcycle game brought to market by prolific game developer Milestone. Of all the sports video game genres, two-wheeled racing of the motorized kind has to be the most represented. Either motorcycle racing fans are rabid, or there are many more fans of the sport than one would believe. Milestone went above and beyond for this Ride game to make it memorable.
Ride 6 features the biggest roster ever. There are over 340 bikes, including DLC content, at launch. These bikes, sourced from twenty-one manufacturers, are split into seven categories and feature two new additions: the maxi enduro and baggers. They join the pre-existing categories: sportsbikes, naked, scooter, motard, and enduro. Including the DLC, there are also 45 tracks. Some are fictional and some are real. Many of are new to the RIDE franchise plus the series for the first time has four new off-road tracks.
To entice new players to the game, Milestone has incorporated a couple of new features. The first is a career mode called the RIDE FEST. It is akin to the Forza Horizon festival-style career mode. The RIDE FEST comprises themed areas that players can explore freely. These areas allow players to choose their own path by selecting events and associated bikes that interest them. Some of these areas will be dedicated to ten legends of the motorcycling world, from Casey Stoner to Guy Martin, Tyler O’Hara, Thomas Chareyre and many more. Each legend will challenge you with dedicated trials. The goal is to beat them and, by doing so, become one of them.
You can pick from three major modes: quick race, time attack, and endurance. Quick race and endurance can be run in either offline or online modes. Time attack is offline only, but has leaderboard support. You can also create races and share them for the rest of the world to experience.
The second major feature in RIDE 6 to entice new players is the choice between an Arcade or Pro Experience. Arcade offers more accessible gameplay where the complexities of bike handling have been simplified and made more intuitive. Perfect for players not unfamiliar with motorcycles. For veterans, the Pro experience will offer a hardcore simulation experience. No matter which mode you choose, the game structure is the same. Of special note, you can switch between either mode at any time.
RIDE 6 also features a revamped riding school. Here, rookies can learn the basics and advance from the basic skills to the more advanced ones. Veterans can use the lessons to brush up on their skills. Each lesson comes with a tutorial, a practice mode against the instructor, and the actual trial. The structure of these matches the License Tests in Gran Tourismo. There are three set times which, if beaten, will award you a gold, silver, or bronze medal. Racking up points will unlock rewards of better bikes and gear.
In keeping with the goal of accessibility, you can also tailor the game to your preferences thanks to the many adjustable parameters. Newbies can start a learning path and follow the teachings of the Riding School. The aim is to help them master the Arcade experience before moving on to the Pro experience by adjusting the riding aids. Players can also adjust the gameplay difficulty level, adjust the game speed, select different color palettes if color-blind, and, for the first time, the option to use one-hand only controls. Surprisingly, there is no option to use controller gyros as a steering method. On the other hand, the game does make good use of the PS5’s Dual Sense haptics and force feedback.
RIDE 6 runs on Unreal Engine 5, which pushes the realism of the game to near-lifelike conditions and looks great on my PS5 Pro. The upgraded materials, textures, and lighting give the RIDE franchise a noticeable digital facelift. Most of the focus has rightly been on the riders and the bikes. They both look fantastic with amazing detail. On the animation side, the riders move in an uncannily realistic manner. They shift and lean with the bike through corners and then straighten up as you come out of a turn and hit the accelerator.
While the environment’s graphics are also detailed, they do not reach the same level. This is most obvious with the crowds, which are lacking in 3D depth. Of course, when you are flying around the track at high speed, this is not an issue. You will only notice these things if you stop on a track and look around. What stood out more was some texture flickering on the backs of some riders. It is rare but noticeable. While I’m not a fan of motion blur in games, RIDE 6 has the best implementation seen to date. It really adds to the sense of speed, but at the cost of blurring the surrounding environment.
Also upgraded with Unreal Engine 5 are the weather, daytime, and lighting conditions systems. These systems all present more realistically, and you can customize them to your heart’s content. Rain and wet surfaces not only look real but also affect visibility and bike handling. Game sounds are also excellent in terms of realism and 3D positioning. The roar of the crowd and the bike engine’s all enhance the racing experience.
Since RIDE 6 is available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, Milestone has worked hard to make the game even more appealing. It supports cross-platform multiplayer. So players can truly test and learn their true worth, since they can challenge rivals from all over the world. Further to that, there will also be monthly challenges that will further enrich the experience, allowing players to show their skills, explore new disciplines, and win exclusive prizes. These challenges will be an ongoing, living event. The game will notify you if someone breaks any of your records.
As with previous RIDE game there are skin editors for players to unleash their creativity with liveries for the bikes, helmets and suits. For the first time, they can share their creations with the world through all platforms. Additional the game will also continue to grow with an over-year-long post-launch plan that will introduce players to new bikes, tracks, and disciplines.
RIDE 6 represents a significant leap forward for the franchise, elevating both its technical performance and overall scope. Milestone has carefully balanced accessibility with authenticity, broadening the game’s appeal without compromising the realism longtime fans expect. It’s an impressive achievement. One further reinforced by the studio’s clear commitment to ongoing support and refinement.
