MotoGP 25 Review – The Most Realistic Bike Racing Sim Yet?

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Ever since acquiring the MotoGP franchise in 2013, Milestone has continually improved their annual releases to become an essential part of two-wheeled simulation racing. With MotoGP 25, they may have reached their peak performance.

When evaluating this year’s edition of MotoGP, several pivotal queries arose: How does MotoGP 25 fare against its previous versions? Did Milestone’s attempt to cater to casual gamers potentially diminish the experience for dedicated sim enthusiasts? Lastly, is it justifiable to continue spending money on this annual release?

Gameplay

Among Milestone’s standout features is their innovative Arcade physics system, designed to let beginners and less experienced players enjoy the game without the typical difficulties that come with mastering a demanding racing simulator. After taking a break from simulation racers for several months, I was apprehensive about picking up the controller again, fearing I might crash headfirst into the gravel while the rest of the racers sailed past me with smirking thoughts.

After moving to the Arcade mode, I discovered my initial concerns were baseless. The game offers a multitude of personalization features for driving settings, including neural braking, steering, and throttle support, as well as advanced control calibration and input adjustments. For many gamers, setting all fundamental assists to Moderate provides the perfect balance between arcade and simulation, maintaining the thrill on the track without compromising on enjoyment.

When you’re ready and confident enough, effortlessly upgrade to the Pro version for an exhilarating challenge that pushes your riding skills to their limits. The Arcade experience, with its optimal path guidance and curve indicators, serves as a fantastic stepping stone from being a novice to feeling like a pro rider such as Valentino Rossi. On top of this, MotoGP 25 offers a convenient one-handed control scheme for added accessibility!

In addition to perfecting your abilities within the MotoGP Academy mode, you also get the chance to engage in six fresh game modes, such as the exhilarating Race Off. This unique mode introduces three distinct racing styles – Motard, Minibikes, and Flat Track. These entertaining diversions can be experienced even on a local split screen! Following countless MotoGP races, the sensation of jumping onto a minibike reminded me of dodging blue shells, and I mean this in the most positive way imaginable.

If you’ve been longing for robust online multiplayer experiences in MotoGP, your desires have been acknowledged! With MotoGP 25, cross-platform play is now available on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC systems, uniting players worldwide to compete against a broader range of racers. In addition to regular LiveGP Championships, you’ll have the chance to engage in ranked races with opponents matched by skill level and ascend global leaderboards to secure eternal bragging rights.

Differently from human riders, the behavior of AI riders can vary significantly, ranging from making mistakes similar to those made by Pedro Acosta in 2024 to performing almost flawless laps and avoiding competitors like they would avoid a plague. Inconsistencies in AI performance are still prevalent, which prevents MotoGP 25 from achieving a near-perfect score in this area.

In our conversation about the game, one thing that was missing in MotoGP 25 that I had hoped for was a variety of historic riders, bikes, and tracks. Even though this might be a matter of personal preference, many sports game franchises have incorporated similar features to some extent. It would have been fantastic to race with legends like Giacomo Agostini or Mick Doohan. However, I guess we can attribute the absence of these elements to licensing issues and move forward.

Career Mode

The essential and defining aspect of MotoGP is the Career Mode, which can either elevate or disappoint the entire game. Fortunately, MotoGP 25 has significantly enhanced this area, introducing numerous fresh elements to ensure that this year’s Career Mode offers an incredibly immersive and comprehensive gaming experience!

This year’s Riders’ Market has been enhanced, allowing certain Moto3 and Moto2 racers to move up to higher categories. This improvement adds a sense of realism to the overall experience. On the external side, the option to personalize your rider and bike designs remains, reflecting the same creative freedom as in previous versions, following the principle of “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

The importance of managing social relationships in your career cannot be overstated, as it significantly influences how others perceive you – whether at work or off-site. Forging connections with individuals such as Jorge Martín or Marco Bezzecchi could potentially lead to opportunities like joining Aprilia Racing in the future. Conversely, alienating them might make your races much more challenging, to put it mildly.

In general, I tended to go with optimistic replies and didn’t encounter any negative consequences due to my overly exuberant character. I had the freedom to share sneaky, underhanded comments with almost everyone in my email contacts. However, it held no charm for me to be the only one not receiving birthday greetings on social media.

Regarding the advancement of your bike, you’ll join technical discussions with your engineers following races, where you can customize your bike according to your preferences. Top-tier teams might have restricted opportunities for upgrades due to their initial edge, whereas lower-ranked teams provide more flexibility to improve and match the performance of other bikes over time.

In this game, every race on the 2025 schedule that meets the requirements is featured. This includes tracks like the Automotodrom Brno in Czechia and the Balaton Park in Hungary, which brings the count up to an impressive 17 locations (not counting those exclusive to Race Off). If you’re feeling a bit mischievous, you even have the option to design your own racing calendar, just to give the MotoGP organizers a run for their money when it comes to planning out a well-rounded season!

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but express my excitement about the mid-season training sessions and the revamped paddock that Milestone has brought to the table in this year’s MotoGP Career Mode. This is hands down the most immersive, authentic MotoGP experience yet, a testament to Milestone’s tireless dedication and hard work. They’ve really outdone themselves, and it shows in every aspect of the gameplay.

Presentation

In the upcoming MotoGP 25 game, the action will be powered by Unreal Engine 5, marking a shift to a new game engine. Despite some criticisms about suboptimal optimization and performance with UE 5, this game runs flawlessly on all platforms at a constant 60 frames per second. While there are no major technical problems with the graphics, I was hoping for a more impressive visual overhaul compared to what’s been delivered.

In-game characters resemble real riders and move convincingly, including their signature moves. Unfortunately, the tracks, pit crews, customizable riders, and crowds don’t have the level of detail or animation one would expect in a UE5 game. However, while racing at 200 miles per hour, these shortcomings become less noticeable due to an extraordinary feeling of speed that is enhanced by skillfully applied camera shake effects.

In terms of advancements, MotoGP 25 stands out particularly in its sound system. The motorcycles have never sounded louder or more potent, thanks to the inclusion of authentic, newly recorded real engine noises that provide an immediate, immersive experience from the start.

This unique audio doesn’t seem related to Moto2 and Moto3 categories, but it’s undeniably a captivating game in every aspect. If the immersion isn’t already compelling, professional commentators are on hand to create an experience that feels like you’re witnessing a genuine MotoGP race live.

Verdict: A pole position entry and reference point for future MotoGP games

In summary, MotoGP 25 stands uncontested as the supreme ruler of superbike racing games. Compared to last year’s version, it effortlessly outperforms in numerous ways thanks to a series of refreshing enhancements that invigorate an already robust series. Although there are some minor issues that can be addressed in future patches, Milestone consistently demonstrates the strength and competence of the franchise, teaching us how to value and nurture our audience, continually delight them, and ensure they eagerly return for more!

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2025-04-30 18:22