Game review: MotoGP 25 (Xbox Series X)
It's sometimes hard to get excited over annually released sports games because the developers don't have enough time to add many new features to the game. I've experienced this fatigue many times in the past when I have had to review other sports franchises every year, like MLB The Show and the NBA 2K series.
While I don't play racing games very often, one franchise that is released each and every year is Milestone's MotoGP series. I previously reviewed MotoGP 23 two years ago, but I missed MotoGP 24. Well, two years later, I'm back to playing the series as now I'm reviewing MotoGP 25 on Xbox Series X.
If you are new to motorcycle racing games in general, the one thing that you have to know is that riding a bike is much harder than driving a car. I recently redownloaded Forza Horizon 4, and playing that game is easy because cars are easier to handle.
On the flip side, playing MotoGP 25 can be challenging if you're a beginner like me. Bikes are just harder to handle when you're not familiar with their physics and style of handling.
That being said, MotoGP 25 offers two gameplay styles that cater to different types of players. First, you can opt to play the game using the friendlier Arcade experience that features simplified handling and allows you to lean your bike heavily without crashing too many times.
Players can also turn on the racing line that will tell them when to turn and the best time it is to brake. The arcade experience is to make sure the game is more accessible for beginners and to also make the game more fun.
If you're a player who is more skilled at racing games, you can opt to play MotoGP 25's Pro Experience. This mode aims for realism and is catered towards simulation-style players. It is here where you need to learn when to brake and how to lean the bike properly.
Another thing players have to look out for in Pro Experience is fuel consumption. Players will probably need to visit the pit stop more often when races are long and time-consuming. It goes without saying that this mode is for series veterans because the learning curve is very steep!
Even if players crash lots of times, it's not the end of the race because MotoGP 25 includes a rewind feature. Players can rewind a few seconds before a crash to redo a corner for a second time, or something like that. This is also helpful if, for some reason, a competing opponent bumps into your bike and makes you crash that way.
Another thing I like about MotoGP 25 is the number of different game modes that are available. The biggest game mode that is included is arguably the big Career Mode. It is here that you can create a rookie and try to guide them into becoming a huge MotoGP racer in the future.
It does not matter if you create a male or female character because you will still have the same experience in the career mode. You can choose to practice laps or skip them if you want to just race. There's no storyline or cutscenes to watch like in NBA 2K video games, but you can assign goals to do, like overtaking a specific racer or something like that.
You can also make important decisions in the career mode, such as aiming for the best type of contract or making adjustments to your bike and more. Career mode is quite lengthy, but I'm sure fans will love the number of races that are available here.
Other single-player modes available to players are Grand Prix, Time Trial, and Championship. The latter is where you can participate in a full MotoGP season like a real-life driver.
My favourite new feature of MotoGP 25 is the 'Race Off Modes'. These are standalone events featuring different styles of bikes and terrain. The three modes offered here are Motard, Flat Track, and Minibike. Flat Track is by far the best one because you race on a dirtbike on muddy terrain, and really enjoyable.
The only disappointing thing about the Race Off Modes is that there aren't that many tracks to race on at the moment. I'm hoping they expand on this feature in MotoGP 26 because it's a nice alternative to the main game.
The last offline feature available in MotoGP 25 is the MotoGP Academy. It is here that you learn how to play the game in the Pro Experience mode. If you're struggling to learn the controls, this mode should be able to help you.
Lastly, you can play in both online multiplayer and split-screen gameplay. I appreciate the game still including split-screen multiplayer since several other newer games have decided to get rid of this due to technical issues.
While the gameplay of MotoGP 25 is solid, the graphics are quite impressive too. There are around 22 real-life race tracks featuring countries such as Australia, Japan, France, and many more.
The game uses Unreal Engine 5 and looks phenomenal when playing on the Xbox Series X console. The PS5 and PC versions of the game, I'm sure, look good too. The graphics, however, may look inferior for people who might be playing on the older PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch platforms, though.
Overall, MotoGP 25 is a fine addition to the long-running series. The graphics have improved, and the new Arcade Experience makes the game easier for newcomers. Hopefully, next year, developer Milestone adds more content to the Race Off mode.
Verdict: 8.0/10
