MotoGP 14 Reviews
Although developer Milestone has plenty of experience working with the series, MotoGP 14 doesn't do much different from other racing sims. Furthermore, while it offers plenty of gameplay modes, few of them offer engaging content. Pass on this one unless you're a huge fan of the sport.
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.
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.
If you enjoy previous versions of MotoGP and want that experience with next-gen graphics, you can probably skip this installment.
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.
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.
While not as polished as other racing simulators, MotoGP 14 does a good job recreating the exciting sport. With a dizzying amount of single-player modes and a worthwhile online component, this game will keep fans of motorcycle racing busy for months to come. Too bad the visuals look so outdated and the career mode lacks variety.
There is a lot to like, a lot to recommend over Milestone's previous effort. While certain flaws still exist in the troubled development of the game, the gameplay and racing experience is exhilarating and the game is worth checking out if on sale.
If this is the racing title you have been waiting for on the PS4, the wait was worth it.
MotoGP 14 is an impressive package with a lot of depth and challenge but is hampered by the lack of a proper FFB controller unique to this type of racing.
While there's a few bad points here and there, none of these are game-breaking and could easily be addressed with a patch. The excellent gameplay speaks for itself and it's refreshing to see something different amongst the incredible number of car games out there that fail to remain distinct against their own competition.
With a driving model that feels unique MotoGP 14 is the (almost) lone two-wheeler in a sea of car games and it does its sport proud. If what you care about is high-speed, precision driving and the tension of catastrophe lying in wait, then MotoGP 14 could just be your favourite new racing game.
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.
Presentation problems prevent MotoGP 14 from riding into the sunset with a championship trophy under its arm, but the latest entry in Milestone's motorbike simulation is more than worth its podium place. An entertaining handling model coupled with copious amounts of content make this a must-own option for motorsport aficionados, while the ability to tune the experience to your own personal skill level means that those in need of training wheels will enjoy their time in the saddle, too.
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.
MotoGP 14 delivers exciting, challenging and surprisingly deep motorcycle racing action. It's audio-visuals feel disappointingly last-generation, however.
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.
MotoGP 14 won't be for everyone, but during a time when the number of racing games on the PS4 is at a minimum, it more than scratches that itch. There is plenty of value for money in the game for those who want to dive in.