It’s that time again as the cycling season kicks in, the Grand Tours start spinning out and cyclists the world over look forward to the chance to replicate the real-world action virtually. Yep, Tour de France 2023 and Pro Cycling Manager 2023 are coming and today the latest features and trailer have been revealed.
The annual instalments of Nacon and Cyanide Studios’ cycling games is fast approaching and come June 8th 2023 we’ll see both Tour de France 2023 and Pro Cycling Manager 2023 release to the world. It’s looking like these games will be doing their utmost to build on the 2022 editions of the series, with new features promised. For many, it’ll be the first chance to check things out visually via the latest gameplay trailer that will be of most interest.
Two very different games – and we’ve compared the two for you in case you were unaware how the Tour de France and Pro Cycling Manager games fit into the scene – Tour de France 2023 will be released on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and PC, whilst Pro Cycling Manager 2023 will be limited to the PC master race.
Taking the Tour de France game first and in TDF 2023 very much follows in the line of Tour de France 2022, and you’ll get to take on the grandest of Grand Tours following the Tour de France route for this year. You’ll also find some Classics present in Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Flèche Wallonne, Paris-Nice, Critérium du Dauphiné, Paris-Tours and Paris-Roubaix, whilst 27 World Tour and Pro Tour teams will let you sit on their glorious bikes.
But it’s the new features that will be of most interest, like a more realistic rating system, a build in terms of the strategic play at hand, and the new Downhill of the Moment.
The key features will sit as…
- As well as the “Race of the Moment”, which was introduced in the previous edition, a new challenge has been added: the “Downhill of the Moment”. This new game mode takes place solely on downhill stretches and so requires unique strategies. Players can then compare their ranking with other competitors from all over the world.
- More realistic rating system: the introduction of Agility and Medium Mountain ratings can lead to unexpected incidents, such as falls within the peloton, and also has an effect on what path the riders take.
- More strategic gameplay: players can devise different strategies depending on their team members and their statistics.
- Updated rider equipment, now rated based on quality.
- Distinctive bibs added: “Super Combative” and “Best Team” for a greater challenge.
- Various technical improvements: including collisions, AI behaviour and the path riders take in downhill stretches.
Pro Cycling Manager 2023 meanwhile will be more focused on the management side of things, offering up the chance for you to become the finest DS possible. 130 races will be included in the PC only (Steam) game, with the following new features…
- Improved user interfaces with a redesign of the “race results” page and a brand-new “race page”.
- A new training system: management of the training calendar and tasks so priorities can be set. The training locations have also been changed to be real-life places that are well known by cycling fans.
- Official races with all ASO races (Tour de France, Paris-Roubaix, Paris-Nice).
- A redesigned world ranking, now based on the real-life system and UCI points classification.
- A new system for managing nation registration for the World Championships.
- A new “Medium Mountain” rating.
Keep an eye out for Tour de France 2023 and Pro Cycling Manager 2023 releasing on June 8th 2023. And take a watch of the trailer too. it makes us want to go and get our kit on.
Hi Neil, is it still the case that when you’re developing your rider you always stay the same age? And you’re the only one whose traits change/develop while all other riders don’t? That really bugged me with the TDF22 version..