MotoGP 21 Reviews
MotoGP 21 is a good year for new riders to hop on but it hasn't particularly distanced itself much from MotoGP 20.
Wobbly and unstable in all the right ways, and some of the wrong ones too.
A super-authentic bike racing sim that the hardcore will love. And while less experienced players may struggle at first, the effort is worth it.
Milestone's MotoGP series has taken some significant steps forward in recent years; expanding the career mode, making the bike handling more realistic and lively, but it's a little tougher to see the signs of progress in MotoGP 21. This is a slighter evolution of the series, with the biggest changes the ones that you can see from the jump to the new generation consoles and, if you're on PS5, feel through the DualSense controller.
MotoGP 21 is a consistent and solid racing experience, which gives the joy to ride just become better and better on the track. For the first time in the series, it's even a little bit more gentle with rookies and newcomers, thanks to a tutorial and a better help system. It lacks only of narrative dimension which could help to express all the emotions of motorsport.
Review in Italian | Read full review
MotoGP 21 offers an authentic motor racing simulation, welcoming for veterans of the series, but often alien for newcomers. Handling is great, and the career is deep, with plenty to keep players racing through the season.
MotoGP 21 is the best MotoGP simulator you could wish for and on PS5 it's even better. There are some technical imperfections, but none of them can ruin a rewarding, fun and addicting gameplay.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Although certainly not extraordinary, MotoGP 21 is a decent enough racing game. Some more innovation would have been nice but given the complications caused by COVID, I can understand the limitations in place. Series veterans will most likely enjoy this but I can't see it attracting many newcomers with so many great racing options already on the market.
Off the track, MotoGP 21 builds on what its predecessor did well, even if it's not much news. Out on the track, however, we get renovated and more realistic gameplay mechanics. However, we lack more noticeable improvements now that the series has found its way to a new console generation; much more than higher resolution, more details in the environments and significantly shorter charging times we do not get.
Review in Swedish | Read full review
MotoGP 21 is yet another slow, tentative step forward for the bleary-eyed series. There are clear improvements visually, with the physics, and with a few new features to aid realism. However, for every improvement, some areas are showing their age or have abandonment issues. The tutorial is as absorbing and educational as a brick wall, the career mode just feels shallow, and finding that balance for non-simulation purists can be a chore. Still, these are balanced by the strong racing when you find those perfect settings and the improving AI. Also, the use of the PlayStation 5's DualSense controller is brilliant, putting the feel of the bike into your hands.
Milestone has gone the extra mile with MotoGP 21, even having an enhancement roadmap you can view on their website. The roadmap clearly outlines improvements planned for May through June. Those updates include adding new bike categories, expanded player controls, and joining in-progress qualifying sessions instead of having to wait as a spectator. While MotoGP 21 is available on all gaming platforms, the PS5 with the DualSense controller is the premium way to play this game.
Personally I have been on a motorbike for many years and I have always liked games focused on the wonderful world of two wheels, but I have never been very much a fan of pure and hard simulators. But I think MotoGP21 has managed to find the perfect balance between realism and difficulty that motorcycle games needed.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Overall, MotoGP 21 is a clear step up from last year's entry into the franchise. The title makes good use of the new hardware available, all the while expanding the scope of the gameplay experience, particularly for detail-centric players. It might not be for everyone, but motorcycle racing fans will get a real kick out of MotoGP 21.
The 2021 edition of MotoGP has arrived, and we can only be pleased. As per tradition, the one dedicated to the world's most famous two-wheeled world championship has also proven to be one of milestone's most solid annual releases. Thanks to a full-bodied injection of content and a better organized career mode and finally worthy of comparison with that of the alter ego on four wheels by Codemasters, we are sure that MotoGP 21 will give you tens and tens of hours of fun with detached shots, folds and millimeter overtaking.
Review in Italian | Read full review
The steady improvement of MotoGP continues with MotoGP 21. The move to the PlayStation 5 affords a bunch of benefits inherent to the latest generation of consoles, and having a race load in a handful of seconds is such a nice luxury. The inclusion of the DualSense's haptics is appreciated, as a useful feature to tell when tires are losing their grip. Brake temperature management combines with fuel consumption and tire wearing to increase immersion. It may still not excite much with a lacking presentation, but MotoGP 21 is a solid contender that'll have you feeling like you could almost take to the track yourself. Just, watch those knees, yeah?
Moto GP 21 isn’t big on features, but the racing experience is great whether you’re an experienced player or someone new who’s looking to get into the sport.
With realism being the focus of MotoGP 21, the enjoyment here comes from the mastery of racing at high speeds. Although unless you’re a returning player to the series or a natural on the virtual bike, you won’t be treated kindly by the game’s difficulty. New players could comfortably get away with trying MotoGP 20 instead as a way of easing themselves into the series with a smaller entry fee. Returning players, conversely, will no doubt feel at home with an updated game featuring stunningly detailed environments and racing options. As for me? The plethora of crashes I experienced in-game may now put me off real-world motorbikes altogether.
MotoGP 2021 is an impressive game that features the right balance of complication and a lukewarm welcome to new players trying to get into it for the first time. It's a polished experience that sets the bar for the motorcycle racing scene.
Whether you're a newcomer or veteran to this series, MotoGP 21 is an absolute must-own. It offers a distinct challenge for people of all skill levels, and I grew to respect that challenge in every way possible.
MotoGP 21 is a little step ahead for the series, but the advent of the next-gen consoles doesn't mean a revolution for the Milestone racing franchise.
Review in Italian | Read full review