If you’re a fellow vet who’s been crotch-rocketing since Milestone revved up with 1999’s Superbike World Championship, you know the drill. This is peak authenticity… sometimes at the cost of an ego-shattering learning curve.
All that being said, after a few laps, under the leather-and-lead Pro mode lurks an ‘Arcade’ setting so approachable it’ll entertain just about anybody with its neo Super Hang On vibes. If you’ve always been tempted to try this series, there’s never been a better time than now.
A Sim at Heart, But Don’t Be Intimidated
Pro Experience is the bread-and-butter for sim junkies. Lose track of fuel burn, electronics management, or tyre temps, and your life will go from going sideways good (leaning through corners well) to plain old, well… sideways. Tickle that apex a whisker too hot, and you’ll kiss the gravel faster than you can say “highside.”
Don’t be afraid. None of that difficulty is absent now that Milestone is courting nervous newcomer gamers.
your life will go from going sideways good (leaning through corners well) to plain old, well… sideways.
The bone they’ve been thrown is dinosaur size: an ‘Arcade Experience’ with guided lines, gentler physics, and riding assists that offer the taste the thrill without face-planting you into a wall every five seconds. And hey–if you do still come unstuck, you can do more rewinding than a video store work experience kid.
Basically, you can go in expecting improved tutorials and assists so forgiving they give you a big hug and a kiss. They open the door to casual riders without watering down the soul of the series. I think that virtually anybody can zip up into parenthood-jeopardising leather, throw a leg over Moto GP 25, and have a great ride.
Handling, Controls, and That Sneaky AI Twist
Have you ever wondered what happens when you corner too hot on a MotoGP bike? You pray, my friend—pray. But, oh, the adaptive AI in MotoGP 25 makes every pass feel like a high-stakes duel. Instead of rubber‑banded goons bumping you off track, you get smart opponents who learn your style and adjust accordingly.
I’m known for dodgem car cornering, where every able body is a secondary apex for me to hit…and I’m pretty sure the entire AI field came to hate me. They certainly acted that way after a while.
Meanwhile, controls feel snug on the DualSense: haptic buzzes hint at tyre slip, triggers modulate braking force, and adaptive resistance adds subtle tension as you squeeze the throttle at full lean. The added nuance is definitely felt and appreciated in Pro mode. In lieu of an actual force feedback handlebar peripheral, it’s a feature not to be underestimated.
Quirky New Modes: Snack‑Sized Racing Delights
If you’re tired of Grand Prix marathons, MotoGP 25’s Race Off disciplines let you snack on Motard, Flat Track, and Minibike events across four dedicated tracks. They’re bite‑sized thrills to sharpen specific skills. Flat Track’s dirt slides, Motard’s asphalt squeals, Minibikes’ twitchy precision. They’re not just fluff; think of them as your secret sauce to shaving tenths off lap times in the big league.
I’d be lying if I said any of the above were a meaty reason to buy this game. They are, however, an amusing diversion in split-screen versus (and I do so love a dev that includes that option in a modern game).
an amusing diversion in split-screen versus (and I do so love a dev that includes that option).
Presentation: Graphics That Purr—Mostly
Unreal Engine 5 flexes its muscles with crisp bike models, high‑res textures, and dynamic weather effects. Rain isn’t just eye candy; it whispers through your rear tyre and bites your lean angle, forcing genuine adjustments mid-corner. Sound design is equally lustrous—bike roars recorded trackside deliver visceral feedback. It’s almost criminal when the commentary kicks in, repeating the same tired lines like a broken record player.
It has to be said that the visuals are quite uneven in spots. The bikes themselves are a vision to behold, but any melon not ensconced in a helmet looks a little Team America around the eyes. Likewise, the tracks have been faithfully recreated but any detail beyond those barriers looks a little scarce and repetitive.
After countless seasons, wrenches turned on real bikes, and more crashes than I’d like to admit, MotoGP 25 still speaks my racing language. It balances authenticity and approachability with finesse, thanks to its dual-mode riding, adaptive AI, and snack‑sized Race Off events. Sure, the commentary loop needs winding, and trackside visuals lag behind the moto‑porn, but when the checkered flag waves, this handles well.
