Ride 3

From a presentation standpoint, Ride 3 is outstanding. The bikes look fantastic and I love all the customization options. Unfortunately, it is lacking in terms of gameplay. With this being a video game and all, that’s a bit of a problem. If you really need a bike racer then this may be the best of your very limited options, but with the harsh learning curve, lack of teaching, and uninspired game modes, there are far superior racing games on the market.

As much as I liked my time on the throttle of Ride 3, there are moments when it feels like a game that’s more concerned with the history of motorcycles as products than the actual experience of riding them. There’s a staggering amount of content and stuff to collect, which will be more than enough reason for some players to seek out what Milestone has delivered here, but the pacing and difficulty often made that content feel more like an obstacle. The speed, danger and finesse of a motorcycle is nice, but maybe a bit more freedom wouldn’t hurt.

Ride 3 is an easy entry into the motorcycle simulation genre. The level of detail on and off the track is visually satisfying. Over time playing the AI can get a little boring, but multiplayer provides some variety, at least if you win and don't get dead last like I do more than half the time. For someone wanting to get into a motorcycle racing game this is a strong contender. Veterans of the genre may have their niche, but Ride seems to have a good community following. To those veterans I say it is for you to decide if there is enough new content to warrant the purchase. Either way, I hope to see many of you at the finish line!