Last Updated on Feb 9, 2026 @ 8:22:07 AM.
I have had the pleasure of trying out RIDE 6, the brand-new motorcycle racing game from developer Milestone, which puts players in the shoes of a motorbike racer as they enter the Ride Fest event that takes place within the game.
During my time with RIDE 6, I was able to try out a majority of the different game modes that were available to me, mainly the career mode and the various races within, but I was also able to take a deep dive look into the variations of motorcycles that I could acquire, whether it be through the career mode or the method of purchasing motorcycles through various means.
RIDE 6’s Races are Difficult But Realistic in Regards to the Original Sport
When it comes to a game that is centered around racing, I feel like it would be amiss of me to start anywhere other than the actual races themselves. So let’s jump right into it by talking about the variety of races that are on offer within RIDE 6 and how fun they are.
When it comes to RIDE 6, there are a few different versions of races that you can play through. In terms of the actual races the player can take part in, there are standard races in which players want to achieve first place against other races that are driving through the course, or a time trial in which the player drives the circuit alone in an attempt to get the fastest time possible, or there are endurance races, which are still standard races, but instead of 3 laps, they focus on time, having the potential to sometimes take 20 minutes or more.
This alone gives players variety in terms of the races they can take part in, but along with this, each race also uses a different version of a motorcycle, whether it be a Motard, Sport, Scooter, or even Enduro. Each race behaves entirely differently, allowing for unique experiences each time.
Although I am well-experienced when it comes to racing sim games, I did find myself often making small and silly mistakes during my time with RIDE 6, as the slightest error sent me flying off my motorcycle, costing me time and momentum, but not all was lost in these moments.
As much as the moments of me speeding too fast around a corner or leaning too far into a turn were irritating, they were also realistic and always my own error. However, during these moments of realistic racing, I was saved by a very unrealistic gameplay mechanic, which was the ability to rewind time to fix my error and get back into the race unscathed.
For new players, this mechanic is a saving grace, as it allows the player to make mistakes and learn from them in order to keep their chances of winning the race high, but for those who are looking for a more grounded and realistic motorcycle racing experience, this mechanic is only activated by a button press, allowing it to be an option rather than a forced situation.
When it came to my early races, I did rely on this mechanic a lot. As I was getting to grips with the different turns, the idea of slowing down and speeding up at the right time for turns, and just generally some of the other racers ramming into me, I often found myself rolling across the tarmac in need of a redo, but over time with some practice, I was able to learn the different racing mechanics and begin to get consistent results without relying on the rewind mechanic.
Overall, I did find that the difficulty of RIDE 6 was very reminiscent of actual motorcycle racing, as there were many challenges to overcome and mechanics that I had to master in order to make sure that I was able to win every race that I entered. For players who have been long-term fans of racing like this, RIDE 6 provides everything they want in a neat little package, but for those who are looking to get a start in the motorcycle racing world, there will be a steep learning curve for them to master.
Although the races were very fun thanks to the variety of options provided to me, especially in the career mode, I did find myself looking to take a break from the career mode after a few races, as the difficulty curve can spike quite heavily, especially in the time trials, but thankfully the other game modes were able to hold my attention to the point I felt confident enough to return and take on the career mode again.
There are Plenty of motorcycles to Choose From, From All Kinds of Brands and Models, and Each is Customizable
As stated earlier in the review, RIDE 6 allows the player to trial out various types of motorcycles throughout the game, whether it be within the career mode, quick mode, or even multiplayer, with each of these motorcycles providing their own unique gameplay experience.
Throughout my time with RIDE 6, I attempted to try out as many motorcycles as I could within the game to try and see what the differences were and how each variety of motorcycle would perform in terms of gameplay, rather than whether or not the motorcycle was similar to its real-life counterpart.
From my experience, each motorcycle was able to act uniquely in its own way, as they all have their own stats and modifications that make them different from one another, whether that be the stock version that I could acquire from the store, the used motorcycles I could get for cheap, or the motorcycles that I purchased and modified myself. Each motorcycle was a brand-new canvas for me to work with, and trying them out was always a fun time.
Granted, as much as I had a lot of fun playing around with the different customization options that were provided to me for the motorcycles at my disposal, I didn’t often find myself in the garage tuning up my motorcycles very often, as purchasing said bikes and purchasing the upgrades would constantly burn away my funds, but when I did, I was provided plenty of options to choose from again from various companies that each provided their own benefits.
If you are coming into RIDE 6 with very limited knowledge of the various parts that alter the performance of a motorcycle, do not worry, as RIDE 6 does provide a lot of information to the player so that you can make an informed decision that improves your motorcycle rather than hindering it. Whether it be the simple up-and-down stats indicating the motorcycle’s performance changes or the motorcycle’s ranking that changes upon each upgrade, there are plenty of ways to see the differences you make to your vehicle.
Along with being able to change the various parts within your motorcycle, all those who are looking to share their personality on their motorcycle will also be able to do so in RIDE 6, as the option to customize how your motorcycle looks is also available and very in-depth.
Whether you are looking to change the colors of your motorcycle or add various stickers to create dazzling patterns, the player is able to go wild with their artistic skills and create a motorcycle unique to them, or if you are feeling adventurous, you are able to find design projects from other players and equip them to your motorcycle as well.
Finally, a big part of RIDE 6 is the ability to acquire various motorcycles throughout your journey, as there are a few different ways this can be done. One of the simplest ways for a player to acquire new motorcycles is by playing through the career mode, as motorcycles are handed out as rewards for completing certain career paths, but there are also stores that provide players with the option to select a more specific motorcycle they are looking for.
Within RIDE 6 there are two different stores that are available to players who are looking to purchase bikes, one being a dealership that sells new motorcycles that have never seen a racetrack (in terms of the game) and the other being a used dealership that sells motorcycles at a reduced cost while also having modifications made to them already, whether they be entirely modified or with one or two altered components.
Either way, these options will always be available to the player, allowing them to expand their collection of motorcycles in all kinds of ways or even to gather all the motorcycles that are available and be the ultimate collector.
For me, the motorcycles were very impressive, as their designs were incredibly detailed, showcasing all the various components with impeccable detail while also allowing me to alter the vehicle in a way that allowed me to race with something that symbolized me both in regard to my vehicle and my character.
In terms of the component customization, players who are new to the franchise/sport will likely feel overwhelmed by the choices provided to them, but thanks to the information provided, making these choices seems very simple.
The Racetracks are Very Accurate With a Lot of Detail
Finally, let’s talk about the actual racetracks that I was able to drive through within RIDE 6. Although I personally haven’t raced on the different racetracks that are available within RIDE 6, I can see that a lot of care and consideration has been taken by the developer to try and keep these tracks as accurate as they can in terms of realism in every sense.
Although I cannot attest to all of the race tracks that are available to race on within RIDE 6, there are some race tracks that are based on and replicated from real-life tracks, and from what I saw within RIDE 6, the developers were able to create a very realistic experience within these tracks and bring as realistic of an experience as they can for the player.
For me, the first race I tried was within the Circuit Ricardo Tormo track within the career mode, and I felt myself get lost in the track as it was very well designed by the dev team to look nearly identical to the real-life track while also feeling very intuitive to the gameplay mechanics at play within RIDE 6.
The biggest positive for me was just the overall detail that was added into the world of RIDE 6, whether it be how the trees moved in the background, the sun shining around the corners, or just the general road itself. The dev team put in a lot of work to create a realistic and detailed world for motorcycle racing enthusiasts to enjoy, and they were able to achieve that goal.
RIDE 6
Summary
RIDE 6 is a fun and realistic motorcycle racing sim game that gives the player complete control over every detail from the motorcycle’s wheels, chain, colors, and so much more.
In terms of the racing within RIDE 6, there are a lot of challenges players will have to overcome to ensure they can consistently win races, and the difficulty curve does spike depending on the game mode in question, but this challenge increases the fun that can be had with the game.
For those who have been wanting to create a collection of motorcycles, RIDE 6 is a fantastic game for doing that, as the collection of motorcycles on display is incredible, with plenty of options to choose from.
HOURS PLAYED: 15
PLAYED ON: PS5
- The racetracks are very detailed, while also keeping a realistic tone.
- Gameplay is very fun while also providing a decent challenge.
- There is plenty of creative freedom for players both in vehicle style and components.
- There is a steep learning curve, especially when it comes to time trials.
- Will likely be a challenge for new players to get to grips with the various mechanics at play.
For more Thumb Wars Gaming coverage, check out our interview with the developer behind Bandit Trap, or check out our article regarding the announcement of Crimson Capes, an upcoming 2-D Soulslike.
Liam is a Senior Editor, Writer, and Critic for Thumb Wars and has been working with the team since day one. Liam is a big fan of all things gaming, as you will catch him playing all of the new releases from every genre you can imagine. Whether you find Liam gaming just for fun or spending his free time streaming, you will always find a smile on his face when it comes to all things gaming.
