There’s a ritual I’ve always loved when a new MotoGP game drops. I sit back, fire up the first race, and let the engine notes roll through my headphones, it’s a sensory jolt that reminds me why I keep coming back, year after year, to Milestone’s asphalt-scorching series. As the developer and publisher behind other racing games I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing, like “Monster Energy Supercross 25: The Official Video Game” and “Ride 5” — Milestone has carved out a reputation for delivering high-octane, finely tuned racing experiences. “MotoGP 25” didn’t break that ritual. In fact, it doubled down on it, giving me a rush of familiarity wrapped in enough new ideas to keep things compelling, even if the formula hasn’t exactly been reinvented.
Sliding into the boots of the world’s best riders, I immediately felt the polish that Unreal Engine 5 brings to the tarmac. The glint of sunlight on carbon fiber, the specks of gravel kicked up on corner exits, it’s not revolutionary, but it’s undeniably slick. The revamped sound design, recorded straight from the official bikes, snarls and roars in a way that got under my skin in the best way possible. There’s a rawness to it that’s been missing in earlier entries, and here it breathes life into every throttle squeeze. Where “MotoGP 25” hits its stride is in its balancing act between welcoming newcomers and keeping seasoned racers like me engaged. The introduction of the Arcade Experience gave me a refreshing way to rip around Mugello or Sepang without fretting over tire wear or fuel loads. The physics still feel weighty enough to be satisfying, but the lowered barrier to entry means I could pass the controller to a friend without giving a fifteen-minute lecture on lean angles and brake markers. Flip over to the Pro Experience, and it’s a different beast, meticulously managing electronics, telemetry, and the subtle dance of traction kept me laser-focused, just how I like it when I’m in full-sim mode.
One addition that genuinely surprised me was Race Off mode. For a series that’s stayed so laser-focused on pure track racing, dropping into disciplines like Motard, Flat Track, and Minibikes was a welcome breath of fresh air. The four new dedicated tracks had me sliding sideways and grinning through relay races and eliminations. These detours might not steal the spotlight from the main MotoGP championship, but they added just enough variety to make me pause and appreciate Milestone’s willingness to stretch beyond its usual blueprint. As much as I appreciated these new wrinkles, I couldn’t ignore the flat spots, most notably in Career Mode. While the framework is here to build a legend, managing Turning Points, forging relationships, and tinkering with the Riders Market, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it all played out too mechanically. The chance to start anywhere in the MotoGP pyramid is nice in theory, but it diluted the satisfaction of grinding my way up through the ranks. I found myself wishing that the Race Off disciplines had been baked more deeply into the career structure itself, rather than sitting on the sidelines as side content.
Despite that stumble, the on-track experience remains king. The Adaptive Difficulty and Neural Aid System are quietly brilliant additions. They nudged me gently when I got overzealous on the throttle and backed off when I found my groove, a subtle guiding hand rather than an overbearing crutch. Tutorials have also been tightened up, and whether you’re a rookie or a vet, the learning curve feels more inviting than ever. Multiplayer got a noticeable lift this year too. Ranked races paired with full cross-play finally gave me the competitive ecosystem I’ve been hoping for. Testing my skills against players from other platforms added that extra bite of unpredictability, and the matchmaking seemed smart about keeping things balanced. The suite of customization options didn’t hurt either, there’s a certain joy in showing up on the grid with a livery and helmet design that screams “me.”
Yes, it’s not the most groundbreaking chapter in the series. But after logging hours and laps, what “MotoGP 25” delivers is a comfort-food racer that knows exactly what its audience craves, with just enough modern tweaks to keep it relevant. When I tucked into a corner and the exhaust crackled behind me, I wasn’t thinking about missing modes or stale career trees. I was right there, heart pounding, living the MotoGP dream once again.
8/10
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Related: Reviews by Nick Navarro
Gaming since I was given an original Nintendo as a kid. I love great storytelling and unique ingenuity. When both collide in a single game, I'm a happy gamer. Twitter/IG @NickNavarro87
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