MotoGP 25 Review

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As a fan of MotoGP and various motor racing genres, I’ve had my hands on numerous racing games throughout the years. Ranging from retro arcade experiences such as MX vs. ATV and DiRT, to more authentic simulators like Project Cars 2 and Assetto Corsa, I’m quite adaptable within this category of games. However, I eagerly anticipate each new addition to the MotoGP series.

The upcoming 2025 racing season, with Jorge Martin claiming the world title for Aprilia and Marc Marquez debuting on Ducati’s red team, has generated immense excitement among motorsports enthusiasts.

Despite annual sports games sometimes appearing predictable or repetitive, regardless of their genre, the MotoGP series stands out as one that consistently strives for innovation and delivers content that fans truly desire. Unlike the Codemasters/EA Formula One series, the MotoGP series has continually introduced substantial updates each year, and Milestone’s MotoGP 25 is no exception in offering such enhancements.

So, fire up your engines and let’s go on a sighting lap of everything that MotoGP 25 has to offer.

Accessible Arcade or Serious Sim?

MotoGP 25 falls into one of these two categories, but it’s a bit different. Unlike arcade racers with their focus on stunts and challenges, or sim racing aiming for realism, MotoGP 25 seems to strike a balance between the two. It offers an authentic racing experience while still providing some elements of excitement and challenge that you might find in arcade-style games.

In essence, MotoGP offers a delightful blend of experiences for its players, featuring both casual and realistic modes. The arcade mode, ideal for beginners like those transitioning from F1 games, eliminates intricacies such as setup and electronics adjustments, enabling players to concentrate solely on mastering the art of cornering and precise braking techniques.

A noteworthy enhancement to the series is the introduction of the Minibike training modes and Flat Track races, serving as an excellent alternative to the standard MotoGP races, offering a fresh perspective for those accustomed to racing with two wheels instead of four.

As a dedicated enthusiast, I must say that MotoGP 25 has significantly outshone its predecessors, MotoGP 24, 23, and 22. The new content added to this year’s game provides an extended racing experience that keeps me immersed in the game for hours on end. Unlike previous versions that included an “F1 World” hub or season pass progression, MotoGP 25 has wisely chosen to concentrate the bulk of its attention on the racing itself – a decision I wholeheartedly approve of.

When it comes to the bike control and gameplay, MotoGP has noticeably advanced compared to previous years. The sensation of braking and cornering feels significantly more realistic.

In the latest versions, the AI competitors have seen slight enhancements, making them more authentic and unpredictable compared to earlier ones. Additionally, the adaptive difficulty setting maintains an engaging challenge throughout the races. Although they may be less formidable in certain aspects and can sometimes be defeated easily, even with subpar equipment, there’s a significant difference in the real-world responses and riding styles of your fellow racers.

For novice racers, occasional collisions might still occur, particularly during close combat with experienced or aggressive drivers within the group. However, it appears that these incidents happen less frequently compared to earlier versions of the game, especially when playing in Arcade mode.

Among the recent versions of MotoGP, MotoGP 25 stands out as the most user-friendly and comprehensive one.

In my experience playing this game, I’ve noticed that bikes appear to have a more secure hold on surfaces compared to earlier versions. This improved grip translates into better precision and control when navigating tight turns. However, one small complaint I have is the absence of controller vibration. Without it, different track conditions like wet or dry roads, curbs, and dirt tracks can feel quite alike, making it harder to distinguish them.

As a gamer, I find it peculiar that tire wear, tire pressure, and fuel management aren’t more integral aspects of the game, considering they play a pivotal role in shaping racers’ tactics and determining the outcome of races in actual racing scenarios.

Despite boasting perhaps the most authentic bikes and racing experience yet, die-hard fans seeking unparalleled realism might still find it too simple, even on advanced difficulty settings. Moreover, wet conditions are not notably more challenging than dry ones, whereas the AI riders face significant struggles and a significant decrease in speed under such conditions.

Without a doubt, this offering caters to all tastes, making it stand out among the recent versions of MotoGP. Among them, MotoGP 25 stands as the most welcoming and encompassing for both novice and veteran gamers alike.

Tuning The Formula

Regarding its visual style, the game closely resembles actual sports broadcasts, boasting an authentic heads-up display (HUD), timing tower, and a helpful mini-map that assists players in navigating the racetracks effectively.

In some aspects, the celebrations on the podium and other similar festivities seem somewhat repetitive compared to past events. However, when it comes to designing personal celebrations for custom characters, there’s a wider range of options available. The bike models and racers’ uniforms, including suits and helmets, are incredibly detailed. Yet, certain background characters or track-side details could use a bit more attention to detail.

A key aspect that has undergone substantial improvement is the game’s sound design, particularly the engine noises and crowd reactions that now feel authentic and responsive. I personally think the most immersive experience is achieved by using headphones, as they truly bring to life the intense atmosphere and raw power synonymous with MotoGP.

Beyond the primary races, engaging side activities like Motard and Minibikes offer a delightful change of pace. However, the available circuits for these modes are rather scarce. It’s the main career mode in MotoGP that truly makes the series stand out and ensures its longevity.

MotoGP 25’s career mode is arguably one of the best in the racing genre currently.

Besides racing through the entire MotoGP schedule, which now features fresh tracks like Balaton Park in Hungary, you also have the option to climb up from the Moto3 and Moto2 leagues. This game includes a dynamic driver market that you can activate if desired. Unlike previous editions, MotoGP25 allows you to compete in an entire season within the lower divisions, not just a handful of races.

Advancing from level to level, enhancing your abilities and technology along the way, undeniably offers an extremely gratifying gaming experience. And when it comes to racing games, MotoGP 25’s career mode is widely considered as one of the finest available today.

A potential area for improvement is the fresh interaction between riders and the social media aspect. Within the career setting, riders will express opinions that players can react to, fostering rivalries and friendships among grid members. However, it seems this feature lacks a strong connection and does not significantly impact how other racers behave on the track.

After each racing weekend, I find my influence on bike enhancements and updates is restricted. It seems the spotlight is squarely on the rider, not the team, which might disappoint those seeking a Formula One-like “Create Your Team” mode.

The game is quite welcoming for beginners, but it might get mastered swiftly, which could lead to less enjoyment once the initial hurdles ease off. Despite not being a seasoned MotoGP player, I’ve found the greatest pleasure by setting the game on its toughest rules and maximizing AI difficulty.

This update may not be the dramatic change some long-time series players were hoping for, but the addition of new elements and enhancements undeniably represent a significant stride towards the desired direction.

Unreal Fidelity and Customization

In terms of one aspect where the MotoGP series consistently outshines other racing simulations, it’s their extensive customization options. Designing a driver with a distinctive helmet and racewear is an enjoyable process that significantly enhances the realism of the career mode.

As a gamer, I’m not just picking colors here; I’ve got the freedom to deeply customize my racer’s logos and design unique graphics and fonts. It’s all about creating something truly mine, a personal touch that’s been missing in many mainstream racing games.

Previously stated, the riders and their bikes exhibit high quality and attention to detail, particularly when wearing helmets. Moreover, the meticulous replications of every actual racing track show remarkable authenticity, appearing exceptionally realistic during rainy and nighttime settings.

It’s particularly exciting to see my personally designed creations displayed during the television segments for every racing weekend.

By leveraging Unreal Engine’s Nanite lighting system, the game delivers lifelike light interactions that adapt well to varying conditions, thereby enhancing the intricacies of both vehicle and character designs.

The Unreal Engine’s Nanite lighting system allows for authentic light behavior under changing circumstances, making the details of vehicle and character models stand out more vividly.

The authenticity of the visuals significantly enhances the immersive experience, and it’s truly exciting to see my personalized designs featured during the broadcasts for each racing weekend.

Despite some room for improvement in terms of smoke and dust effects, the overall visual presentation is quite impressive and significantly surpasses its predecessors. So far, I haven’t encountered any technical issues, bugs, or glitches while playing on a PC equipped with a 30-series Nvidia graphics card.

Closing Comments

MotoGP 25 serves as an excellent introduction for newcomers to the series, offering a compelling alternative to traditional four-wheel racing games. Even though seasoned players with extensive experience might find the changes insufficiently dramatic, the inclusion of fresh race types and complete junior seasons should not be dismissed lightly. In terms of gameplay mechanics and graphics, MotoGP 25 surpasses its predecessors, albeit falling short of completely outdoing them. Despite some minor flaws, MotoGP 25 stands as the ultimate motorcycle racing game today, delivering the authenticity we’ve grown accustomed to from its developers.

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2025-05-01 22:10