RIDE vs MotoGP

Welcome to the world of motorcycle racing, where the tracks are your canvas and the tire marks are brushstrokes of bravery and finesse. Racing on a two-wheel machine requires a skill set that propels you to the finish line. But this is a tale for another day. Today, we look at the biggest names in motorcycle racing and discern which of the two is better. 

As an avid gamer, you must have come across RIDE, MotoGP, or both. The two franchises have made a name for themselves with their high-octane games. Perhaps it's because both games are products of Milestone S.r.l. Either way, both series' capture the thrilling symphony of embracing fierce curves and challenging straights. 

Nevertheless, we can't have two kings. One franchise has to steal the show, but which one? Let's take a deeper dive and uncover this in RIDE vs MotoGP. 

What is RIDE?

Often described as the “Forza Motorsport” of bikes, RIDE grants itself a seat at the big league table for its commitment to realism. The franchise aims to provide motorcycle enthusiasts with a realistic and authentic experience, and it doesn't disappoint. 

The first title in the series, RIDE, debuted in 2015, introducing the world to yet another enthralling creation by Milestone, featuring four categories of bikes. The game emphasizes satisfying skills. Therefore, each action you take carries weight. Finding a better cornering line will surely get you ahead of the game. However, soon enough, the AI racers catch up and zoom past you. RIDE 2 rose to the challenge by amplifying a few features. The game features over 200 bikes from 15 different categories. Moreover, the game sweetened the pot with a customization option.

The game's immense success prompted the release of two subsequent games, RIDE 3 and RIDE 4, further expanding the franchise. Every title is a tad better than its predecessor. From the news hitting our grapevine, we'll soon experience a new ride, literally, as the Italian studio plans to launch RIDE 5 in August. 

What is MotoGP?

The MotoGP franchise delivers an exhilarating racing experience that captures the essence of the prestigious MotoGP championship. The studio holds the official license for MotoGP games; hence, every experience the games deliver borders on the actual sport. For instance, MotoGP 22 showcases a new mode, NINE, where players re-experience the iconic 2009 season. The narrative mode lets you ride in the shoes of seasoned, veteran riders like Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso. 

MotoGP debuted in 2007 with its first installment, MotoGP 07. The studio subsequently unveiled ten more titles, with the latest entrant, MotoGP 23, slotted for release in June 2023. The franchise, just like the actual sport, relies on prowess, mental fortitude, and technical expertise. A simple mistake in the game will have you veering uncontrollably off course. 

As a later addition, the series uses adaptive difficulty to give you a ride for your money. But if you play your cards right, amidst the effort, you'll find a harmonious dance between sweat and success.

Gameplay

With its refined elegance, MotoGP is akin to a tango on two wheels. The gameplay is a delicate balance of precision and finesse, demanding riders to master the nuances of real-world motorcycle racing. With calculated precision, you must execute every twist of the throttle, every lean into a corner, and every brake input. The focus is on realistic physics and precise bike handling, allowing players to experience the intricacies of MotoGP racing. 

On the other hand, RIDE takes a more adventurous leap, transforming the gameplay into a daring high-wire act. It embraces the spirit of freestyle riding with game modes that let you craft your path. This adds a layer of variety to the game, plus each track has its flavor of difficulty. 

Career Mode

Both series' feature a career mode where riders advance their skills and rise the ranks. RIDE 4 introduces A.N.N.A. (Artificial Neural Network Agent) that mimics your every move as you race. Over time, you'll feel like you're racing against yourself. And what better way to become the best than by competing with yourself? RIDE 5 expands on this career mode by pitting you against ten opponents with a broad range of skills. 

In contrast, MotoGP's career mode uses a social media application where riders build their reputation. If you come off as boastful, the AI opponents may not take a liking to you and react in a certain way while on the track. 

Graphics

RIDE makes a name for itself with absolute realism. Every bike in the series is meticulously crafted from scratch using CAD data, lasers, and 3D scanning. Moreover, the game features a neat lineup of officially licensed bikes for you to go berserk on the tracks. Thankfully, developers replicate the same amount of detail on the track. To sweeten the deal, RIDE 4 lets you inspect, customize, and test your two-wheeler in the virtual garage. You can even work as an official tester for one of the top-tier manufacturers.

Moreover, the infusion of a day/night cycle and dynamic weather adds to the immersive experience. The dynamic weather system in RIDE 5 will calculate and track, in real-time, any weather changes that allow you to adapt your race strategy to the weather. The game also includes 3D volumetric clouds to make the environment more realistic than ever. 

MotoGP introduces this feature in their latest entry, MotoGP23. Also, the game adds flag-to-flag races, where if the weather gets too harsh, you can swap your bike with another at the pit stop. 

Verdict: RIDE vs MotoGP?

When it's all said and done, it boils down to which racing game creates the most hair-raising and adrenaline-pumping experience. RIDE is evolving quickly, capturing the hearts of many with the surreal experience it invokes with realistic bikes and environments. The series is also tweaking its physics engine to adapt the controls to the actual riding experience.

On the other hand, MotoGP is everything surreal, from the riders, tracks, and seasons. Every title adapts to the actual Grand Prix of motorcycle racing. 

So which game takes the cake? Honestly, either of the games will check all the boxes and offer enthralling action. But, for any seasoned fan of the sport, MotoGP will ultimately send adrenaline surging through your veins as you lean into each corner, letting you defy gravity and embrace the raw power of the machine beneath you.

So, what's your take on RIDE vs MotoGP? Which is your favourite of the two? Let us know over our socials here or in the comments below.