MotoGP 25 review

Another year, another MotoGP game. It’s yet another release where there are some meaningful improvements but also some real disappointments, leading to a game that’s probably worth picking up if you’re a serious fan of the sport, but less so otherwise. And it’s a real shame considering that one of its high points is dramatically improved accessibility.

First things first, like any yearly sports game, MotoGP 25 has all the latest riders, teams and bikes, making it as authentic as can be. It’s also impeccably presented, as usual, and thanks to a move to Unreal Engine 5, the on and off-track track has never looked better. If someone was to walk by as you race around one of the game’s many real-world tracks, they’d truly believe you were watching MotoGP on the TV. That’s how convincing everything is.

Along with the move to Unreal Engine 5, Milestone has also seen fit to include a new Arcade playstyle in this year’s release. And honestly, it’s a game-changer. It makes MotoGP 25 so much more enjoyable, letting players race around the game’s tracks at high speed without molly-coddling them. Because, let’s face it, there’s nothing worse than all those semi-assisted options that try to take control away from you.

Playing MotoGP 25 with the Arcade playstyle enabled, you can jump right in, not having to worry about things such as the front and rear brakes being separated or jumping on the throttle a bit too early during a corner. It makes taking control of the bikes here much more lenient, but you still have to approach the game like a sim, striving to follow the racing line. And once you feel confident enough, you can kick away the stabilisers and give the Pro playstyle a try.

Another new addition in MotoGP 25 is Race Off, a mode which introduces three new disciplines to the game: Flat Track, Motard, and Minibikes. It adds a little variety to the gameplay, but with so few locations and tracks available, it essentially proves to be a minor distraction. These Race Off events are woven into the game’s Career mode, too, where they offer various rewards for completion.

Career mode proves to be a big let-down in MotoGP 25 on the whole, though. There are some nice touches, such as being able to jump in at any level you like, whether it be Moto3, Moto2 or MotoGP, as well as choosing your overall goal. But other than that, it’s very basic and stagnant, with little to take control of and manage.

There are other modes here, of course, but nothing out of the ordinary to spice things up. You can take part in a Grand Prix or Championship, test your skills in Time Trial, or visit the MotoGP Academy if you wish to go over the basics. Thankfully, there are Multiplayer options available as well: split-screen lets you play with friends or family huddled around the same TV, and if you take the action online you’ll find there’s crossplay support, which makes it easier to find others to race against.

MotoGP 25 has all the modes you’d expect, then, but little more. And with its career mode being somewhat disappointing, it doesn’t make for the most enticing package. Still, thanks to its fantastic presentation and new Arcade playstyle that makes it more welcoming than ever to newcomers, there are some merits to this year’s MotoGP release.