MotoGP 21 is now available, featuring a new bike retrieval feature, career mode and brake mechanics.
Photo credit: Milestone S.r.l.
What a great day for fans of motorcycling: this Thursday marks the arrival of the newest game in Milestone’s MotoGP series. Since the game was announced in February, fans will have been ticking off the days until the MotoGP 21 was released. The game contains a variety of new features, as well as some subtler gameplay improvements to hone the fastest game on two wheels even further. Several key details regarding new features were released in the run-up to release, and the game provides a sense of evolution from 2020, rather than revolution.
What is MotoGP?
If you love motorcycles, then MotoGP is probably the sport for you. The world’s premier two-wheeled motorsport has been available in video game form for decades, but the formula is always being refined and updated. In MotoGP 21, all tracks, bikes and riders from the real-world MotoGP season are present.
The most authentic and realistic MotoGP™ experience is coming.
— Milestone (@MilestoneItaly) February 18, 2021
Be ready to live the emotions of the official 2021 season, managing all the aspects of your race, like a real champion. MotoGP™21 will be out on April 22.#MotoGPvideogame #MotoGP #riders #racinggamers #racinggames pic.twitter.com/ZbICU2NNcW
Along with these are all of the bikes and riders from Moto2 and Moto3, the feeder series leading in to MotoGP itself. Players can climb the ranks from the third tier upwards in the game’s career mode. The title offers historical content in the form of circuits and bikes as well.
What’s new in 2021?
One of the headline features arriving with MotoGP 21 is the bike retrieval system, which sees dismounted players running over to the stricken bike so as to get back on and continue the race. In previous games, a fall was simply followed by the player being reset to the track at low speed. If bike retrieval doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, then don’t worry! You can simply disable it in game to get the old system back.
The addition of accurate brake temperature to the game is important for the series’ realism credentials. A bike’s behaviour will now change depending on the state of the brakes, meaning that players will now be able to look after their brakes. This adds a new layer of skill which can be utilised in MotoGP races.
Long-lap penalties were also missing from the MotoGP game series – until now. Infractions such as jump starts or repeated corner cutting and track extension will net the player a long-lap penalty. This involves going around a small sliver of track, usually on the outside of a normal corner. To serve the penalty, the rider must stay within the narrow confines of the penalty area, so be careful you don’t stray wide or get too eager on the exit.
MotoGP 21 is now available on both PlayStation and Xbox, as well as PC and Nintendo Switch. Keep an eye on Overtake.gg for the next few days, as we will be releasing both guides and reviews for the game.
Are you going to get your hands on MotoGP 21? Tell us on Twitter at @OverTake_gg or in the comments down below!
