Three years after the well-received Ride 5, Milestone is launching its sixth chapter, Ride 6, powered by Unreal Engine 5. With a garage proudly showcasing 340 motorcycles, revamped gameplay, and dual physics modes (Arcade/Pro), this title seems promising on paper. However, behind the 45 tracks and 10 legendary riders lie small frustrations, and the quest for the ultimate gaming experience continues.
A technological leap and renewed ambitions
Milestone has taken its time, and it shows in Ride 6. Aiming to establish this title as the undisputed reference for motorcycle games, the Milan studio has clearly given its all. Ten years after the first release, this new version marks a real turning point. Exclusively for PC and next-gen consoles (PS5, Xbox Series), Ride 6 promises colossal content: over 340 motorcycles (280 available at launch), 21 brands, 45 tracks, and two new categories, all within a revamped career mode. On paper, everything seems geared towards a flawless execution. But, as often, the devil is in the details.
Ride 6 switches to Unreal Engine 5 with 340 motorcycles, demanding Pro physics, and massive content. Does this motorcycle game finally touch perfection? © Milestone
A rich content experience
From the game’s release, the garage hits hard: 280 motorcycles covering 21 renowned manufacturers like Ducati, BMW, Yamaha, KTM, and Triumph. The cover features the new KTM 990 RC R, offering a riding experience where mechanical simplicity dominates sheer power. With upcoming DLCs, the number will rise to over 340 machines in 7 categories, including two new ones: Racing Baggers and Maxi Enduro/Trail. Supermotards also make their grand comeback, while the tracks integrate new off-road features.
Ride 6 introduces off-road racing for the first time, radically changing the grip and behaviour of the motorcycles. An evolution that meets fans’ expectations for versatility, even if the feel on dirt remains a work in progress. For purists, the duality between Arcade and Pro mode brings variety to the gameplay, but expectations for realism vary from player to player.
Ride 6 is packed with new features, including Baggers racing, which will actually come at the start of the MotoGP races this year. © Milestone
Ride Fest: The revamped career mode
One of the major projects of this release concerns the career mode, now called Ride Fest. The linear paths criticised in previous episodes are a thing of the past; welcome to a festival structure where the player embodies a pro rider participating in a travelling event. Progression is free and organised by thematic chapters, offering a wide range of challenges: sprints, endurance, time trials, or championships.
The central paddock serves as a hub, gathering the garage, mechanics, and customisation options. The driving school has been revamped with progressive challenges, ideal for mastering the two physics of the game. Additionally, ten legendary riders serve as “bosses” at the end of each chapter, adding a narrative touch and unprecedented competitive pressure to the series.
The content of Ride 6 is quite extensive with races on roads and tracks. Beyond the gameplay, graphics and game physics are also evolving. © Milestone
Customisation: An aspect to refine
The mechanical and visual customisation remains true to the familiar formula but suffers from a lack of clear explanations regarding the real impacts of upgrades. The options are numerous, but some historical motorcycles seem to be “optimised” from the start, limiting improvement possibilities. On the other hand, the Quick Race mode stands out for its richness: event creation, selection of motorcycles and delivered, AI settings, and even a day/night cycle to extend the experience.
Expected by many players, the Maxi-Trail races come to the saga. For us, there is room for improvement in the feel of gliding and terrains. © Milestone
Graphics and immersion: A striking contrast
Technically, Unreal Engine 5 works wonders with exceptional motorcycle modelling. More than 340 beautifully reproduced machines come with impressive mechanical details. However, the faces of the riders show some technological lag. The short cutscenes before the race suffer from outdated human models, but once in the race, the lighting and environments are impressive.
The dynamic weather and day/night cycle enhance immersion, although the representation on dirt sometimes leaves much to be desired. On the acoustic side, the atmosphere is touted as authentic, but some models sound surprisingly flat.
The “game map”, divided into three parts (customisation, racing, and purchases), is materialised by the Ride Fest, which serves as a hub to access the various areas. © Milestone
A nuanced verdict
After three years of waiting, Ride 6 offers an enriched experience with demanding and rewarding Pro physics. The gap from Ride 3 or Ride 4 is undeniable, and the game serves as an ideal entry point for newcomers. However, purists may be disappointed: dispensable arcade physics, lack of story around motorcycle models, limited customisation options, and sometimes disappointing sound are all points that need improvement.
The holy grail of motorcycles? Not yet, even if this release comes close. Ride 6 is an undeniable success that deserves its place in any dedicated gaming library for two-wheelers. But if you already own Ride 5, it might be wise to wait for a promotion before making the leap.
