The official road racing game MotoGP 22, the motocross game MXGP 2021 and the supercross title Monster Energy Supercross 5. Three games, released within six months, developed by one and the same game studio.
Rating 3.5 out of 5
Opinion
Although Milestone has put together three similar games in a short time, there is no doubt that the MotoGP 22 is the unthreatened one. The game shines both on and off the track, especially the deep career mode and the successful story part based on the MotoGP season 2009. Doubtful computer opponents, some lack of variety and sad soundscape lower the experience a bit, but in the end the wonderful driving experience wins.
Positively
- Crowded with content.
- Utilizes the PS5 control well.
- Story mode from the 2009 season.
Negative
- Doubtful artificial intelligence.
- Sound and graphics could be raised a notch.
- The variation is trying to some extent.
It sounds like a recipe for an extraordinary disaster, or at least a look back at Electronic Arts’ “glory days” with releases such as FIFA Road to World Cup ’98, World Cup ’98 and FIFA ’98 in close succession.
Motorcycles, motocross and supercross
Fortunately, Milestone is not a 90s EA; their three games are relatively different from each other. MotoGP 22, which offers classic track racing on well-known international racing tracks, of course stands out the most. But the more muddy motocross and supercross competitions also differ somewhat from each other.
The big difference is that motocross tracks are only built outdoors with all that entails with weather and wind, while the majority of supercross competitions are organized in indoor arenas. Motocross also offers slightly longer and faster distances, while supercross is more technically demanding and more messy with more obstacles and narrower tracks. Differences that are also noticeable in each game.
Regardless of the game, it’s realism before arcade racing that counts. Although there are plenty of settings to adjust the level of difficulty and aids, it takes some training to succeed in getting the motorcycle around the track quickly and smoothly. Then it’s lucky that the training tasks got a little extra love this year.
King of the Hill
However, there is no doubt about which motorcycle title is Milestone’s flagship: the MotoGP series. Like other annual sports series, much is recognizable from last year’s version and the main menu again contains a solid career mode, complete licenses from Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP (MotoE and Red Bull Rookie Cup are missing at release), fast races, online competitions, training tasks and lots of settings for physics and aids.
But MotoGP 22 also offers a couple of welcome news, not least a completely new story mode based on the 2009 MotoGP season. Yes, you read that right – 2009. For many, it probably causes as much shoulder twitching as for me. Since I never followed MotoGP slavishly, I simply had no appreciable control over the obviously classic season, even though I recognize several of the drivers. Now I know better.
Rossi, Stoner, Lorenzo, Pedrosa
In terms of gameplay, nothing particularly unique is found in the story mode. I am thrown into the role of one of the top drivers and have a certain number of laps on me to complete specific tasks based on exactly what happened in the current race, such as reaching a certain position.
We’ve seen this before, for example in the Codemasters Formula 1 series, and it’s not something that raises eyebrows too high even if it’s entertaining. What highlights the story mode in MotoGP 22 are instead the movie clips from the real 09 races that are shown between the game sequences.
As the source material is not of the best kind, the image quality in the videos leaves a lot to be desired, but thanks to the excellent editing and speaker voice, I sit like needles from beginning to end. In fact, the film sequences are cut together by director Mark Neale, who, among other things, is behind the acclaimed sports documentary Hitting the Apex – which is about MotoGP.
From zero to one
The two sister games MXGP 2021 and Monster Energy Supercross 5 sadly do not have a game mode of the same caliber; where you will find the most nutritious gaming experience in the career mode. Here, as usual, a driver will be created, stables selected and competitions run. Drive well and get offers from better stables, drive throws and get fired. Simple but nice fun.
Monster Energy Supercross 5 takes the career mode a few steps further than the MXGP 2021. Most of the layout is similar, but between the competitions in the energy drink game it is possible to take on different challenges to, for example, collect points for a simple upgrade tree. It is anything but advanced, but provides a welcome scoop of variety and a touch of depth.
A class of its own
MotoGP 22, on the other hand, once again pulls the longest straw with a career situation where the main goal is to climb up from the lower divisions to the top class MotoGP. Each competition weekend begins with free sessions where a number of tasks must be performed, such as following the racing line, testing different settings and skimping on soup.
Completed challenges provide points that can be used to research improvements on one’s motorcycle. To be able to do that, however, the right staff must be hired and taken care of. When everything starts to roll on, it is also possible to create a junior stable in the lower divisions, where finances, motorcycles, staff and drivers will be employed and cared for. There is always something to tinker with, and in some ways, the MotoGP 22 is actually the best in the genre when it comes to career mode.
Clay over asphalt
That MotoGP 22 is the biggest best and most beautiful of the three sibling games is hard to deny. However, there is one point that I actually like more in the two moto and supercross games: the control. Understand me correctly, the control in the MotoGP 22 is excellent and the vibrations and resistance in the Playstation 5 control are used in a clean way to give hints that the motorcycle’s two tires are about to lose grip.
But it is when I tear the tires through sluggish and bumpy mud that the control shines. The hand control bolts, tilts and vibrates like crazy as I fight my way up through the field. It is also more challenging and distinctive to deal with all the obstacles that the moto and supercross tracks offer, than to accelerate around on asphalt tracks.
However, not everything is gold trophies and green forests in the mud. Trying to get around bumpy and bumpy tracks with two dozen other drivers is not easy, especially when they are not even trying to avoid collisions. Collisions that can have fatal consequences.
It is extra noticeable, and frustrating, in Monster Energy Supercross 5. The narrow, short and obstacle-filled supercross tracks make a climb to the top rather a collision towards the bottom if I slide away from the dense positions and into the subsequent cluster.
Muddy playground with creativity
The frustration over the bumpy supercross race can at least be taken out in a game mode where it is possible to laze around freely in a half-sized area filled with houses, obstacles, bumps and even some secrets.
The free layout actually characterizes the driving feeling even more, so it’s something I hope the sequels build on. MXGP 2021 also provides the opportunity to accelerate around in an open area, but there is unfortunately a rather desolate and boring piece of land that is available.
If you still do not feel satisfied, the two clay racing games contain a tool for creating your own tracks, as well as the opportunity to test other people’s creations. It’s not revolutionary and is too limited for crazy creations, but a fun bonus nonetheless.
A clear winner – and an equally clear third
One developer, three games, one clear one. That MotoGP 22 gets the most resources, on the other hand, is not so strange considering that it is the most well-known sport and of the three. MotoGP 22 shines both on and off the track in a way that the two sibling games do not.
This is not to say that Monster Energy Supercross 5 and MXGP 2021 are substandard. The driving feeling is superb and we manage to avoid the chaotic mess in the middle of the field in the competitions terribly fun. Unfortunately, it is not as happy outside the race, although Monster Energy Supercross 5 has slightly higher ambitions there.
Gold
MotoGP 22
Silver
Monster Energy Supercross 5 2021
Bronze
MXGP: 2021
Hot tires!
Unbelievable, or perhaps disturbing, the three motorcycle racing games are not the only ones Milestone has put together in the last six months. This fall, they also launched Hot Wheels Unleashed, an arcade-racing game based on the classic toy cars.
Hot Wheels Unleashed is as far from Milestone’s other racing game as you can get, with exaggerated physics and winding imaginative tracks filled with obstacles and crazy passages. Despite the big step from the studio’s other games, they have managed to create a driving feeling that is as entertaining as it is challenging – and sometimes frustrating.
Since its release, Hot Wheels Unleashed has also received two major expansion packs based on Batman and monster trucks, respectively. Take a look at our review if you want to read more.
MotoGP 22, Mxgp 2021, Monster Energy Supercross 5
Tested: April 2021
Genre: Racing
Developer: Milestone
Publisher: Koch Media
Platform: Playstation 4, Playstation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, pc
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