MotoGP 25 Review – Peak Bike Racing

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Over the last few years, the MotoGP game series has had its ups and downs. For instance, MotoGP 20 lived up to expectations by offering an intense, comprehensive simulation for dedicated fans, but lacked features for everyone else. If you’re deeply into motorcycle racing, it more than delivered; if not, you might want to look elsewhere for your racing fix. Similarly, MotoGP 21 represents Milestone’s gradual improvements and adjustments, which are satisfactory for die-hard fans, but not quite enough to make a universally recommended game.

In the past, the MotoGP games have shown improvement but haven’t fully realized their potential. Last year’s edition, MotoGP 24, was well-received for its refinement, but many felt it was just another minor upgrade. Now we come to MotoGP 25 – can it raise the bar and deliver something truly exceptional?

Let’s clear up an essential point first. The racing experience in MotoGP 25 is incredibly authentic, placing you on famous tracks alongside other racers, all vying for position while keeping an eye out for the right moment to overtake. It offers a true feel of speed and competition, particularly when you’re maneuvering among other riders. Overdo it with aggression, and your motorcycle might lose balance, causing a crash; be too cautious, and you’ll quickly find yourself falling behind. The bikes in MotoGP 25 may well be the most realistic the series has ever had, as every detail from tire grip and braking to acceleration significantly impacts each race’s outcome.

“On the gameplay modes front, MotoGP 25 provides a solid range of options to choose from.”

As a gamer diving into this new title, I’ve found that it delivers two unique riding styles: Pro and Arcade. True to form, Pro mode focuses on authenticity, pushing players to hone their skills, while Arcade mode offers a smoother, more accessible experience that maintains the speed without being overly harsh. However, for those new to the franchise, there’s a significant learning curve ahead, as the controls and physics can be tricky to grasp. Fortunately, the game comes equipped with various assist options to help simplify the process, but don’t mistake this for an effortless journey if you’re new to the series. On the flip side, veterans of the franchise will appreciate these two modes as a convenient way to jump back in, tailored to your gaming history and skill level.

One notable enhancement in MotoGP 25 is the intelligent and fair behavior of your rivals in the game. Unlike previous versions, these competitors appear smart and don’t rely on the rubber-banding technique to overtake you. Instead, they race fairly, adjusting their strategies according to your driving style, thanks to the adaptive difficulty system. The game can simulate a variety of racing styles based on how you drive, adding an element of unpredictability to every race. This intelligent system makes each race challenging and engaging, as it adapts to your unique playing style. I find this feature particularly appealing since it keeps the races exciting and competitive.

Regarding gameplay modes, MotoGP 25 offers an assortment of engaging choices. You can dive into the traditional Grand Prix mode, allowing you to select any track or driver you prefer, engage in a full race weekend, or skip directly to the race itself. Additionally, there’s the MotoGP World Championship mode, where you embody an existing racer and compete in races spanning the entire season calendar. Essentially, it’s about earning points, supporting your team in the constructors’ championship, and ultimately striving for the title of world champion.

Additionally, there’s an engaging aspect of driver-to-driver interaction on the track. If you race too intensely, some competitors might develop a negative sentiment towards you.

Additionally, there are delightful mini-games to experience, such as Time Trials (a fun challenge against the clock) and MotoGP Academy, where you can win medals by posting the fastest sector times across various tracks. The game also includes supplementary activities like Flat Track (dirt racing emphasizing slides), Motard (high-speed racing with tight turns on asphalt), and Minibike events (precise races using lightweight bikes). These bonus modes, while not groundbreaking, are the kind of additional features you’d expect at this stage, providing entertaining “bite-sized” diversions from the main career mode.

Without a doubt, the core aspect of MotoGP 25 lies within its Career Mode. Gamers embark on their adventure by selecting one of the three primary leagues: Moto3, Moto2, or the elite MotoGP class, and aim to ascend. A significant portion of the gameplay revolves around nurturing your motorbike through regular communication with your engineer. You may request enhancements for specific parts such as the engine or chassis. As you accomplish tasks and advance through the career mode, your bike will mirror your own growth and development.

the absence of voice acting or spoken dialogue. This gives the mode a text-heavy feel, making it seem more like a management simulation than an engaging career experience. Although I’m not asking for full cinematics, some voice acting would have significantly enhanced immersion. However, despite this limitation, the Career Mode offers a balanced and rewarding progression system for both the rider and the bike.

As a devoted gaming enthusiast, I’ve got to say that when it comes to sound design in MotoGP 25, it’s a bit of a rollercoaster. The roar of the motorcycles is simply breathtaking, capturing the essence of their real-world counterparts with an astounding level of accuracy. Add to that the smooth riding animations that truly convey the thrill of high-speed racing, and you’ve got a winning combination.

However, the commentary leaves much to be desired. It’s repetitive, lacks depth, and after hearing the same lines before and after every race, it becomes predictable and dull. It’s disheartening that a series with such a rich racing heritage struggles to deliver engaging commentary.

Visually, MotoGP 25 maintains its mixed performance. To begin with, let’s acknowledge the obvious: the motorcycles are eye-catching. The high-resolution textures, diverse camera angles, and attention to detail all suggest a deep affection for these motorcycles from Milestone. The rider models, adorned with sponsor logos, are also well executed, and the tracks themselves are generally well designed. However, some trackside details and NPCs remain as unimpressive as before. It’s understandable that no one pays much attention to them in racing games, but is it too much to ask for more vivid visuals outside the racing line? Nonetheless, the game offers a stunning spectacle during wet weather. The rain effects and other weather details not only look impressive but also impact your bike’s handling significantly.

In terms of gameplay, we tested the game on a PC set to its highest settings in 4K resolution. Generally, the performance was steady, though there were occasional instances where the frame rate dipped during intense downpours. Overall, it ran quite smoothly with minimal glitches or system crashes.

Players who appreciate intricate customization will find a wealth of opportunities to explore in MotoGP 25. With hundreds of customization options available, ranging from stickers and helmets to gloves, suits, and beyond, this game offers an incredible depth for detail-oriented fans. These enthusiasts could easily spend hours meticulously refining the visual aspects of their rider. While I personally didn’t delve too deep into it, I can certainly understand the allure for those who take pleasure in tailoring such personal details.

Regarding the gameplay, we ran it on a PC with all settings set at their highest, including 4K resolution. Overall, the performance was mostly consistent, but there were sporadic instances of frame rate drops when intense downpours occurred.

Is there a consensus about MotoGP 25: does it live up to expectations and surpass its previous versions? Regarding pure racing, it certainly delivers. It offers an authentic feeling of speed, realistic physics, intelligent AI that adjusts based on your on-track actions, and a variety of modes, making it one of the best MotoGP games so far. Furthermore, the game features intricately designed bike models, sophisticated weather physics, and customization options, ensuring racing fans will find plenty to appreciate.

Despite its noteworthy issues such as subpar commentary, unimpressive Career Mode setup, and mediocre trackside graphics, MotoGP 25 falls short of achieving true greatness. Yet, if you’re willing to overlook these drawbacks, you’ll discover a racing experience that effectively embodies the speed and excitement of MotoGP, outperforming most racing games in this regard.

This game was reviewed on the PC.

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2025-05-02 16:12