MotoGP 25 delivers the most refined and immersive two-wheeled racing experience in the series to date, especially on Xbox Series X, where it takes full advantage of the hardware. If you’re a fan of technical racing, bike tuning, and edge-of-your-seat simulation, this is a game made for you.
What I liked most about MotoGP 25 is how it nails the feel of (what I imagine is) riding a MotoGP bike. The physics model has clearly evolved – much like the advancements in Milestone’s other recent release: Monster Energy Supercross 25. Cornering feels responsive, and the balance between braking, throttle control, and lean angle is sharper and more nuanced than previous entries. You can’t just mash your way through a turn; it demands precision and rewards practice. The DualSense-like feedback from the Xbox controller’s triggers gives a tactile sense of grip loss and braking pressure that adds a lot to immersion.
This feel of control is really important to master the bikes. You can feel them slip under her acceleration or braking – but, if this too much then the arcade mode is for you. This basically means you can hammer the gas or brake without fear of slipping, falling off or over and just focus on the racing. It’s a great way to enter into the series and removes the extremely challenging barrier than can exist for newcomers in this genre.
Graphically, the game is outstanding. On Series X, tracks like Mugello and Phillip Island look absolutely stunning with dynamic lighting, detailed trackside elements, and great wet-weather effects. Riders animate more naturally, and even small details – like tire wear showing up visually or subtle body shifts when cornering – help sell the realism.
Career mode returns with improvements, especially in terms of team management and bike development. You can now get more involved in building your bike over the season, which adds depth and strategy beyond just racing. I appreciated the streamlined menus and smoother progression compared to past entries, which sometimes got bogged down in too many screens. A social media element is also overlayed here, with relationships with other riders on the track impacting their levels of aggression towards you whilst racing. I couldn’t really notice much difference here, and honestly I’m not a huge fan of having to like or dislike their in game posts but it adds another layer at least.
AI has taken a step forward, too. Opponents are aggressive but smart – they’ll capitalise on your mistakes, defend lines more intelligently, and vary their behaviour depending on the rider and conditions. I especially liked seeing yellow flags at points as riders make errors – it definitely makes it feel more alive.
If there’s a downside, it’s that newcomers might still find the learning curve a bit steep. While there are rider aids and tutorials, MotoGP 25 leans hard into simulation. The arcade mode definitely helps, but particularly if you go online in a race where this is not allowed, well it can be a big hurdle.
Still, for racing enthusiasts – especially those who appreciate the skill and strategy of real-world MotoGP – this is the most complete and polished version of the franchise yet. Fast, technical, and visually superb, MotoGP 25 is a must-play.
Reviewed on Xbox Series X
