Ride 5 represents the latest iteration in the Ride series, which debuted in 2015. This version offers expanded opportunities to influence the riding experience, encompassing motorcycle setup – including brake and tire selection – and individual riding style. The game extends beyond these elements by simulating the impact of rider body positioning on cornering, considering factors like knee placement and weight distribution. Players can unlock or purchase a wide variety of motorcycles and master a diverse set of challenging tracks, all meticulously recreated to reflect real-world accuracy.
Prior to playing, I had no experience with the previous games, nor had I consulted Cenny’s Ride 4 review on this site. Had I done so, I might have been better prepared for the challenge that awaited. Ride 5 presents a significant level of difficulty from the outset. Players are immediately placed on a track with a high-performance motorcycle, lacking a formal tutorial on bike handling. Consequently, the initial experience involves a degree of trial and error. Mastering cornering techniques proves particularly challenging at first.
Numerous crashes occurred while attempting to learn weight balancing for effective turning. Ride 5 offers little leniency to newcomers; upon completing the initial challenge, players immediately face a competitor. Despite attempts to apply newly acquired skills, these efforts quickly prove insufficient, resulting in being overtaken.
Following these introductory challenges, the core game is unlocked, allowing players to customize their avatars and motorcycles extensively. Gradually, familiarity with Ride 5 increases, building anticipation for the first official race. However, this quickly transitions to finishing last and being lapped by the other 19 racers. This experience can lead to frustration, prompting a restart to retry the same track.
Ride 5 delivers impressive visuals with detailed graphics. The animations are fluid, and the environmental effects responding to the motorcycles’ movement are well-executed. Testing Ride 5 on the Xbox Series S allowed for experiencing the game in 60fps, 4K, and with HDR enabled. The game exhibited stable performance with no noticeable graphical issues or prolonged loading times.
As previously mentioned, the game mechanics require dedicated practice to master due to the initial difficulty curve. The control scheme is intuitive, but achieving proficiency demands considerable effort. A minor drawback is the repetitive sound design, stemming from the lack of music during races, leaving only the engine sound, which can become monotonous.
In conclusion, Ride 5 is a robust motorcycle simulator characterized by a high level of realism. Each of the 200 motorcycles and 35 tracks are meticulously recreated to mirror their real-world counterparts. However, the initial difficulty may prove discouraging for players unfamiliar with this genre, potentially leading to frustration. The inclusion of a beginner mode could enhance the accessibility of Ride 5, providing a more gradual learning curve.
Milestone provided a review copy for evaluation. Content providers do not influence editorial decisions.
