French developer Cyanide Studio and publisher Nacon have just released the Tour de France 2020 game on PC after successfully releasing it on consoles earlier this year. With the real-life Tour de France tournament currently running at full speed, Nacon has brought in the digital version of the game for pro cycling fans to play on their PCs. I got a review copy of the game for the PC version of Tour de France 2020. We have already played and reviewed the game on the console when it was launched back in June of this year.
There is no denying that Tour de France is the most popular multi-stage bicycle racing event that is held yearly in France. Much like the real-life racing tournament, Cyanide Studio has left no stones unturned by bringing all the 21 official stages of the Tour De France, including the classic Liège-Bastogne-Liège, featuring first time in the game. Besides just bringing in the official stages, the game also comes with redesigned and more realistic time-trials. After a long time, Tour de France 2020 feels more technical with stamina management, riding position, and aerodynamics. All new features that are a part of the latest game by Cyanide Studio.
In all honesty, this is the first-ever pro cycling game that I ever got to experience. I wouldn’t call myself a massive fan of the racing event, but watching it was always something interesting and intriguing, to say the least. Now that I got to try out the game, I learned a ton of stuff that goes behind the team, the racer, and everything in the middle that is required in the multi-staged races. As a beginner, the Training section is a great way to get up to speed with all the new features in the game, such as, how to race, how to manage stamina, follow the team, follow the rider ahead, and a lot more stuff that is explained in the easiest of way possible. If there is anything other game developers should learn from Tour de France 2020 is the tutorial that makes it easy for beginners to understand.
Training mode in Tour de France 2020 shows you everything from basic controls and energy management to features like advanced controls that allow you to expand controls over your rider. The advanced controls contain movements like the effort control, which allows you to maintain a constant level of effort, saving stamina. The Training mode also allows shows the in-game team communication which allows you to command your teammates to pick up speed, catch the team ahead, and all other various options suiting the situation in the race. Lastly, the Training mode also explains about the TT Position or the Time-Trial Position, allowing you to adopt a position that gives you better aerodynamics for the same level of effort. This is another feature in the game, which much like the real-life cycling races, is also a vital part of cycling endurance.
If Training is not for you, and you just want to get into the action, you can start racing in the Race mode. This mode gives you the experience of the Tour de France with its 21 stages and 8 riders per team. This mode includes 9 flat stages, 3 hilly stages, 8 mountain races, and one individual time-trial for you to complete. If you want a custom race, you can create your own tour with stages that you like and create a race with your own preferences. Race mode also contains the Criterium du Dauphine race with its 8 stages and 7 riders per team. This is another real-life annual cycling road race based in France. If you want to ride in the northern areas of France, you have the Paris-Roubaix one-day road race that you can participate in.
Tour de France 2020 is not only about racing as a rider with your own team, but there are other modes in the game like the Pro Team and the Pro Leader. Pro Team is like a team manager mode with lets you manage your team and move them up the world ranks, competing against the best in the pro cycling business. See your team rise with your efforts and get invited to the most prestigious races in the world. Pro Team mode also allows you to recruit the best riders to join your team. On the other hand, if you want to be the frontman of your own team, you can play the Pro Leader mode which not only allows you to create your own rider but also complete challenges and progress from one season to the next.
One of the biggest features in the game is the new first-person camera view of the rider. This is a completely new feature in the series that lets you experience riding a bike from the eyes of the rider. This new camera angle lets you fully immerse yourself within the Peloton. The camera view can be changed in-game while riding, which is a very handy and quick feature to play around with camera views or select the one you prefer the most. While it may not seem like the biggest feature in the game, it is still a welcome addition in the serious, adding to the realistic experience of pro cycling in Tour de France 2020.
Final Verdict:
Tour de France 2020 is currently the only pro cycling game right now that is a great cycling simulator. The game does a really good job in mixing in the real features of cycling into the game, adding to another layer of experience for fans. The game does as exceptional job at bringing beginners up to speed with the mechanics of the game and its vital features required for racing. The racing experience, especially in the late stages, amp up the excitement and suspense as all the riders push for the win. This I felt was done brilliantly and had me use all my energy reserves to counter the attacking opponents and win. If the gameplay sounds easy, then it honestly isn’t. If you are a fan of pro cycling, the Tour de France, or just like to see what cycling races are all about, you should definitely try out Tour de France 2020 on PC after reading this review.
8/10
