▷MotoGP 19 review: renewed graphics, neural system and eSport 🥇

Milestone He is doing his best to create a title that satisfies fans. MotoGP 19 inherits a not very pleasant situation compared to the previous chapter, but the software house assures it has done strides. Could it be true? We talk about it in this review.

MotoGP 19: first steps and impact

Right away you realize that you are facing a title purely based on competition. It is clear that we will not have to deal with a context, a plot or a background that will bring us into the part. This choice leaves room and gratifies an audience of fans of the Moto GP sector, but it could be a rather significant disincentive to expand the gameplay to new users.

But let's start from the beginning. The home screen allows us to have all the game modes available, which is positive because, without wasting time, even a neophyte can immediately enter the game. However, the absence of an initial tutorial weighs heavily, especially for those who have never had to deal with a title like this.

Among the various modes available we have the classic "Career" and "Fast Modes", while an interesting addition is the "Historical Challenges" section, a section that I particularly appreciated given the opportunity to relive some of the highlights in the history of competitive motorcycling. A real treat for those who, like me, always travel on two wheels.

To give the title a little more depth is the “Graphic Editor”, which will allow us to customize helmets, numbers and suits. Once you have become familiar with the creation of unique contents, it will be possible to export them, use them in the game and also share them with the community.

Finally, the multiplayer and competitive modes should be mentioned MotoGP eSport Championship that has been winking at the eSport world for some time now.

In MotoGP 19 we run on motorcycles

As I mentioned above, there are no tutorial modes or a gradual approach to the commands, so if you are not used to the genre it will take some time to get carried away.

For the Quick Modes, we will step into the shoes of the MotoGP riders. But be careful: the choice of the character will automatically lead to the choice of the motorcycle manufacturer (No, you cannot yet put Valentino on the KTM and Marquez on the Suzuki!).

We can choose between Grand Prix, Championship and Time Trial. All modes that allow the engineers to be consulted to change the set-up of the bike. Don't panic: this time you will have a small guide that helps you understand which parameters to change and that is perfect for those who already have some basic knowledge. For all the others, however, there is a guide that helps you describe the problem and then propose a solution that we can accept or not.

For the "Career" mode instead, as usual, we have the ability to customize our character through a simple editor. Once the character has been created, by modifying a handful of settings, we will be able to choose the bike (and therefore the team), and start with the first contracts.

In this mode, unlike what happens with the others, we will not be put directly on the track. In fact, there are a couple of more steps concerning the tests to be done on the bike to choose the right set-ups. Once you have found the winning combination you can save it for reuse in the future.

Two different games

As for the visual, we can have fun trying new gaming experiences. You can switch between them distant camera, to better manage trajectory and reaction, To dashboard view. In this case, especially the first few times, you will feel like you are playing a completely different title. The feeling of reactivity changes radically and, not being faced with an arcade game but tending towards simulation, many could be disappointed due to the low manageability of the medium. There is the possibility of rotate the camera around us too, to enjoy the finish of the bike during the race, but considering that on the straights we pass the 300 km / h, it could be quite deleterious.

ANNA artificial intelligence

Milestone had promised a considerable step forward in the artificial intelligence called ANNA

ANNA is a system of neural networks that has allowed AI to "learn", thus passing from learning the rudiments of driving to the more advanced ability to manage trajectories, modulation of braking distances, speed and also the presence and behavior of other drivers on the circuit.

However, this is not a system that can adapt to player behavior, so the experience will be uniform.

As for our test, we suggest setting the AI level no higher than 20% initially. This allowed us to have fun without excessive frustration, as already from 50% the difficulty begins to be relevant.

In any case there are all the tools for modulate the challenge according to your needs.

Let's get on the track

Bike settings, customizations and settings decide the outcome of a positive experience or not.

Let's face it: if you are looking for a "motorbike game" with the expectation of getting your hands on an arcade, this is not the game for you. If you are looking for a video game where you can be lulled by an initial gradual tutorial, and accompanied step by step until you reach the first milestones, again this is not the game for you.

MotoGP 19 is a video game very simulative oriented, does not always succeed in the intent, but a curious player, interactive and eager to test himself is expected. For this reason if it is your first approach, you may find it difficult.

There are no easily identifiable tricks that will allow you to play with the physics engine by deceiving real physics. If you fail to throttle when exiting a corner, or “pinch” at the wrong time on a braking, you will be happily accompanied by the camera upside down in the gravel.

If, on the other hand, the approach tends to be more real, then gradually you will grow in terms of experience, driving pleasure and skills. You will not be left alone, there are always valid suggestions, and initial trajectories to follow. However when we dive on the track the trajectories that are taken actually count, an error in the phase of entering a corner can quickly lead you to a last position at the next corner. It is necessary to learn how to properly evaluate the maximum speed, when to push and when to take off the gas, not to mention the modulation of the combined front and rear braking.

It must be admitted, starting from my personal experience as a motorcyclist, the bike reacts as it should. The only note in this case that emerges as a consequence is the lack of a certain dose of centrifugal force at the exit of the curve, but probably the analysis should be limited.

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MotoGP19: unrealistic brawl

In the face of what we have said regarding the gameplay, a discordant note emerges. During the initial stages of a brawl race, or cornering with multiple riders, the fact that there is resistance to the touch is out of place and balance is not lost.

Surely by increasing AI and difficulty things improve, but the feeling that at that precise moment you immediately return to arcade modes that are not at all simulative is quite strong and badly appreciated.

It is necessary to underline however that an excessive severity could perhaps make the gaming experience frustrating, however at that point one wonders if all this realism is necessary when we talk instead of settings and customizations.

Unreal Engine 4: note of merit, note of demerit

It is obvious a clear improvement in the management of the graphic engine. Milestone seems to have recovered from the proprietary engine change two titles ago, and manages the potential of an Unreal Engine well that lends itself to need.

The finishing of the official liveries, of the motorcycles and of all the aspects inherent to the brands and materials is impeccable. The work that has been done is excellent, and the management of the lighting, the weather and the equipment are also good.

What unfortunately is out of place is the sector of facial animations and the creation of the NPCs. There were probably restrictions on the use of the brands, which is why more care and time was spent on them and on the accompanying material, but when you look at the faces and the models of the characters, you have the feeling of material produced quickly. , close to possible deadlines.

Faced with a well-finished graphics sector in some respects, including the sensation of speed and the finish of the tracks, this gap that breaks the immersion in game disappoints.

MotoGP 19: to buy it or not to buy it, this is the dilemma

The title denotes a revival of the software house that has learned from the mistakes of the past, listened to the community and wanted to push its resources once again. The work was indeed remarkable, and must be acknowledged. There are aspects that are still immature and make you lose interest a little: it probably wouldn't have been too onerous to foresee the possibility of creating your own reputation with fans by being able to interact in pre and post-race interviews or press conferences. Especially nowadays this kind of aspect intrigues and fascinates the fans who follow the championship. Furthermore, the care of the graphic aspects should not be sectorialized but homogeneous to create continuity within the game.

It is not a title that can be appreciated by everyone, it could be a marketing choice; if this were the case, Milestone must decide whether it wants to verticalize itself on the simulation, on the arcade or on the competitive one. On some fronts there is still fog about it.

If, on the other hand, you are passionate…. what are you doing? Aren't you already playing it? It is available from today!