RIDE 6 review – A must-have for motorbike fans

For just over a decade now, Milestone’s RIDE series has been there for you if you prefer racing on two wheels instead of four. Granted, releases have been up and down in terms of quality, but that comes with Milestone trying something new with each release. With RIDE 6, however, I feel that the developer has hit the target with regards to what the series should offer going forward. Featuring multiple disciplines and a career that lets players chart their own course, it’s the closest we’ve come to Gran Turismo with bikes yet.

Career mode truly is the bread and butter of RIDE 6, with 22 groups of events to be unlocked and completed at launch. And after you’ve found your feet in the first group, how you progress from there is pretty much up to you. There are single races, superpole events, head-to-head duels with famous riders such as Guy Martin and Skyler Howes, and more.

As you’d expect, by completing the main objective of these events, not necessarily simply coming first, you earn cash that can be used to expand and upgrade your collection of bikes, as well as points that further your career and open up yet more events and event groups. Throw in optional objectives for each event, such as reaching a certain speed or incurring no penalties, and you have a solid reason to revisit some of them, too.

What really makes the career of RIDE 6 stand out is the variety of motorbiking disciplines that are on offer. Whether you want to race around real-world tracks on a sports bike or kick up some dirt on a motard, RIDE 6 caters to you, and you can also compete on baggers, maxi scooters, and more. It makes for a racing game that keeps you on your toes, always throwing something new at you to keep you invested in the action. And of course, it means there are hundreds of bikes for you to collect, customise and upgrade.

RIDE 6 is the most accessible entry in the series, too. Thanks to a new Arcade racing style, this no longer has to be a frustrating affair for newcomers and those who like their racing action more casual. Opt for the Arcade racing style and you’ll find RIDE 6 very forgiving when it comes to throwing your bike about and being heavy-handed with the throttle. Those who are still finding things a little tough can fiddle with some additional assists and reduce the speed of the game as well.

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However you chose to play, races still feel exciting thanks to a dynamic difficulty system. Though being able to select your own difficulty and AI level would be appreciated as it doesn’t always quite hit the mark. In any case, those who do start to feel more confident and want a real challenge can always move up to the Pro racing style, and there’s a Bridgestone Riding School where players can learn the basics as well as some advanced riding skills.

While the focus here is on the game’s Career mode, there are also a trio of ‘Quick Modes’ for those who want a bespoke blast of racing action, with Single Race, Time Trial and Endurance events all available. There’s split-screen and online multiplayer, too, though don’t expect anything too extravagant when it comes to the latter beyond cross-play support. Just the basics are available here, like matchmaking for a Ranked race and creating a lobby. Still, it’s nice that it’s present. And like previous entries in the series, Editor features allow you to personalise your helmet, suit and more, allowing you to express yourself.

All in all, RIDE 6 is a highpoint for the series, especially for those seeking a Gran Turismo-like single player experience but with bikes instead of cars. There are still some areas which could be improved: while the visuals are nice on the whole, character models are still a bit ugly, for example, and the AI of your competitors can be a tad too aggressive at times. In the grand scheme of things, though, this is quite simply the best motorbike-focused racing game available right now, with a fantastic career that covers multiple disciplines, a massive collection of bikes, and options to make it more enjoyable regardless of skill level.