MotoGP 14
Top Critic Average
Critics Recommend
Critic Reviews for MotoGP 14
Add the graphical overhaul, refined handling and experimental modes together and you end up with a racer that feels much more competitive that its immediate predecessors. Milestone has a habit of releasing motorcycling sequels that hold little distinction outside of the yearly livery changes, but in MotoGP 14, it's not relying solely on the draw of the licence and the pull of its physics. That doesn't mean it's comparable to Marquez in terms of getting everything right, but if ever there was a game made by MotoGP fans for MotoGP fans, this is definitely it.
While it's obscenely detailed up-close and the bike control is wonderful, there's a distinct feeling of sterility compared to other racers. Still, a good start for the series on PS4.
Online is buggy, but amusingly so. It's hard to recommend MotoGP 14 to anybody but fans of the series curious to see how it shapes up on newer hardware.
The extensive modes offer hours of playtime and replayability (especially the career mode) and the inclusion of Moto 2 and Moto 3 not only offers even more playing options, but also a great way to introduce new players to the series. This is a game that will please the majority of Moto GP fans, but will also bring in a lot of new ones.
However, it's let down by certain graphical limitations and a general lack of polish to the presentation. The PlayStation 4 version is very much a transitional release, importantly getting a game out on the new console before starting to refine it over the next few years.
MotoGP 14 is a competent MotoGP racing game. Milestone S.rl. knows their target demographic, and mostly knows what they want to see. There's not much fluff to this game; it's simply you, a bike, and the track. Crank up the physics, and the road becomes less forgiving. Turn off assists and crank the physics up, and you better know the track like the back of your hand, or else you will perform poorly, crash, or worse. However, racing games are held to a very high immersion standard these days, and MotoGP 14 fails to do so in several key areas. The graphics don't impress very much, despite higher-resolution textures being favored over a higher frame rate. The cockpit view still feels just like a floating camera, and all the bikes sound identical. The career mode is a fun way to progress from the weaker Moto3 bikes to the scary-powerful MotoGP ones, at least, but even that experience is a bit dulled as you don't earn money, only fans and parts. At a full asking price of $60, this is a tough sell to anyone who is not a hardcore MotoGP/AMA fan.
MotoGP 14 nails authenticity and the thrill of racing with the speed and handling of MotoGP bikes, but glitches and underwhelming track visuals keep it from greatness.
It's not to say that MotoGP 14 can't be appreciated for what it offers, which is a lot of content, but it simply isn't for everyone. Fans of the sport and franchise have a lot great modes to look forward to, with not only single player races but multiplayer also. Newcomers, as long as you know what you're getting yourself into and are willing to invest the time, you'll be racing like the pros with ease.
