Italian developer Milestone has announced that the latest title in its RIDE series of motorbike simulators, RIDE 5, will launch on August 24 and on PC and ninth-gen consoles only.
The fifth title in the series looks set to build on RIDE 4, which featured over 250 motorbikes (including race-modified versions) and more than 30 track locations, with a refreshed career mode and new features courtesy of ditching eighth-gen console support.
That career mode is the core of the game, with four tiers in the main racing series and a set of additional challenges which add up to more than 200 events — including endurance races, which now feature in-race saves and a rewind feature.
For the first time the career will include a narrator, guiding players through the various events, as well as ten permanent rivals who stand between you and the top of the rankings. Each has their own back story, looks, and personality — and it looks like we catch a glimpse of them in the garage scene of the official trailer below.
We’ve only caught a small selection of the bikes available in the game so far, but they cover the expected bases from nakeds like the Triumph Trident through to monster sport bikes such as the almost mandatory Suzuki Hayabusa — and plenty of racing and superbikes in-between. Players will be able to customize their bikes too, along with their suits and helmets, and share them with other players across all platforms.
RIDE 5 will also make it easier to pick up and ride the machinery, with new AI-enhanced aids — which sound similar to the Neural Aid system of Milestone’s other upcoming bike sim, MotoGP 23 — which give assistance in all aspects of bike control and positioning. Upgraded bike physics also allow for more realistic lean angles and top speeds.
A handful of the game’s circuits also appear in the trailer, with the new Autopolis circuit featuring heavily alongside the return of The Triangle that hosts the North West 200 road race. There’s also a quick glimpse of the new Sonoma Raceway (formerly Sears Point/Infineon) and what appears to be a fictional track set in a rainforest. The game’s official website also shows Brands Hatch and Suzuka will be returning from RIDE 4.
The circuits will be enhanced by a new dynamic weather and time system, developed from that of RIDE 4. This now calculates surface and atmospheric temperatures in real time, producing more realistic weather evolution during the race.
Milestone has replaced the two-dimensional skies with simulated 3D volumetric clouds, which interact with the lighting to create a more realistic atmosphere.
You can also experience this with other players, regardless of platform, as RIDE 5 features a full cross-platform online mode, with multiplayer lobbies and global leaderboards. The title also brings back local split-screen play, returning to the series after a six-year break since RIDE 2.
No pricing has been announced yet for RIDE 5, but there will be two versions of the game at launch. The “Special” edition will feature three days’ early access — beginning August 21 — as well as a bonus “Rebel Pack” DLC and a season pass. All players who pre-order either version of the title will receive a “Far East Pack” DLC too.
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