Milestone has released Ride 5 today exclusively for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. Virtual racing enthusiasts can now experience a new career mode, complete with a narrator who will introduce events and provide guidance throughout the journey. The mode features four main racing events, each comprising multiple races that must be completed before progressing to the next event. A leaderboard will keep track of player progress as you encounter ten unique rivals with distinct personalities, backgrounds and appearances.. Career mode also offers a variety of secondary challenges providing over 200 different playable events.
In addition to career mode, players have access to a more comprehensive single-race experience. Endurance races include the ability to save and rewind during races. The single-race and time-trial game modes provide opportunities for players to hone their riding skills, become accustomed to the various bike categories and continue pushing themselves.
RIDE 5 features a dynamic weather system for the first time in the series, calculating both track and air temperature in real-time to generate realistic weather changes during races. The sky system has been enhanced by moving from a 2D technology based on real photos to 3D volumetric clouds. This new system creates a more immersive visual experience as players can now witness clouds changing shape and interacting with lighting based on their density. Technological improvements have also affected physics, which have been improved in every aspect, from the interaction between the rider and the bike to varying lean-angle speeds for each bike category.
Players can join cross-play lobbies online across all platforms with world leaderboards as well as split-screen local play. The race creator feature enables players to customize their races and championship experience by selecting bike categories, AI opponents and tracks. Players can also set their own scoring and rule systems allowing for unlimited scenarios.
Career Mode
Players will experience the most comprehensive journey in the history of the franchise. This includes a renewed career mode, which for the first time in the series will include a narrator to introduce the over 200 playable events – ranging from championships to single races or time attacks – as well as the 10 Rivals that will add a competitive dimension to the game mode.
Events in the career mode will unfold through two paths, offering a straightforward main progression and a secondary series of events for high-risk, high-reward races. The new Rivals are the best riders in the game. These formidable opponents will have unique personalities, backgrounds, and aesthetics, and their paths will crucially intersect with the player’s progress. Overcoming Rivals will be essential to get to the top of the Leaderboards, a new ranking system that will track players’ performance in their ascent to becoming the best rider in the world. Players’ efforts in the career mode will also reflect in the evolution of their headquarters, which will become bigger to host more and more mechanics and engineers in line with their global ladder position.
Rooted in bike culture, RIDE 5 also features Endurance races that now support in-race save and rewind features, offering players more control and flexibility. This feature is available for events ranging from 20 minutes to 24 hours.
Designed for Next-gen
RIDE 5 takes full advantage of the power of next-gen consoles and high-end PCs, providing the most immersive and authentic riding simulation to date. One notable feature is the brand-new Sky System, which accurately simulates the day-night cycle.
The system includes 3D volumetric clouds that populate the horizons, dynamically shifting shape and interacting with light based on their density, resulting in breathtaking views. Furthermore, the new Dynamic Weather System calculates real-time track and air temperatures, simulating realistic weather changes and adding an element of unpredictability to races.
RIDE 5 has also undergone a significant physics upgrade. RIDE 5 now includes physical and graphical tire degradation, a new simulated interaction between the rider and the bike, and a revised suspension system. These enhancements showcase Milestone’s dedication to achieving the highest level of realism in the series. Just like in real life, finding the right bike set-up will be crucial for fully immersing oneself in the ride and connecting with the bike. To cater to individual riding styles, RIDE 5 offers players a variety of settings to adjust according to their preferences.
Accessibility
Speed knows no barriers, and RIDE 5 aims to provide everyone with the opportunity to live their motorbiking dreams. RIDE 5 includes an enhanced set of Riding Aids that will assist less experienced players with braking, cornering, steering, throttling, ideal trajectory, and various other parameters. These aids are designed to help master even the most challenging tracks and ensure that players can enjoy the game to its fullest.
Multiplayer
RIDE 5 introduces new and enhanced multiplayer game modes and features. Online, riders can participate in cross-play lobbies on consoles (PlayStation 5 vs. Xbox Series X|S) and on PC (Steam vs. Epic Games Store), fueling their ambition to climb the global leaderboards. In response to community feedback, RIDE 5 reintroduces split-screen mode, enabling side-by-side challenges right from the comfort of the couch.
Customization
RIDE 5 also features a Race Creator, a highly customizable game mode that offers virtual bikers endless entertainment. Players now have the ability to design their own races and championships, controlling every single aspect of the competition, such as the scoring and rule systems, as well as the categories of bikes allowed. Customization extends to AI-controlled riders, enabling players to personalize their bikes, suits, and even hand-pick the opponents they wish to face.
RIDE 5 also unleashes player creativity through powerful editors for customizing bikes, suits, and helmets. The creations can be shared online across different platforms, enabling the community to appreciate and draw inspiration from the best designs.
