Review: MotoGP 26

MotoGP 26 – a realistic challenge that loses entertainment value

MotoGP 26 is a racing game from Italian Milestone that focuses on motorcycle racing at the absolute highest level, based on the real MotoGP series. Unlike many other racing games, where the focus is often on an arcade feel and fast, accessible races, the MotoGP series is more about realism and precision. It is a game where you don’t just hit the gas and the brakes. You must understand how a motorcycle behaves at high speed, how to balance it through corners, and how small mistakes can have major consequences.

It becomes apparent quite quickly that the game as a whole has become more difficult, and it feels like a conscious choice from the developers. They have clearly moved away from being more accessible and instead opted for something closer to a pure racing simulator. Every corner requires full concentration; if you brake a little too late or lean incorrectly, it is very easy to lose control entirely.

I can certainly appreciate the thought behind this change. There is something impressive about wanting to make the game more realistic and technically accurate. The problem is that, in practice, it isn’t always particularly entertaining. For me, the increased difficulty level rather took over the experience. Instead of feeling a flow in the driving, I often got stuck trying to “do it right,” which made the game feel more like an exercise than something I actually had fun with.

Sure, once you manage to nail a perfect lap, it feels good, but the road there is significantly more frustrating than in previous games. The so-called learning curve is steep, and it requires a fair amount of time to even reach a level where it starts to feel natural.

Graphically, MotoGP 26 maintains a high standard and feels well-crafted. It is very reminiscent of the sister series Ride, both regarding the details on the motorcycles and how the environments are constructed. This isn’t really surprising since MotoGP and Ride share the same developer, and it’s evident they use similar technology and design. The game looks good, but it’s also nothing that stands out or feels like a major leap forward compared to previous installments.

The career mode remains one of the game’s stronger parts and feels more alive than before. There is a clearer sense of progression, and it becomes easier to engage with the season. At the same time, it doesn’t quite go all the way to compensate for the frustration that the driving itself sometimes creates. The opposition feels more varied, which is fundamentally positive. The races feel less predictable and more dynamic, but even here, the overall impression is affected by the fact that the game itself is so demanding.

Comparison with MotoGP 25

The biggest change in MotoGP 26 is the new physics system, where the rider’s movements and weight distribution play a much larger role than before. This makes the driving more realistic, but also significantly harder to master. Compared to MotoGP 25, it becomes clear that the series has changed direction. MotoGP 25 was more forgiving and easier to get into, which made it a better alternative for both new players and those who just wanted to play more casually.

MotoGP 26 is instead more demanding and technical. I can understand the thought behind the development, especially when comparing it to games like Ride, where realism is also a central part. But in this case, it feels like the balance between realism and gameplay enjoyment isn’t quite there.

The negative – when realism goes too far

The high difficulty level is without a doubt the game’s greatest weakness. I appreciate the ambition to make a more realistic game, but in the end, it is precisely this that makes me personally feel that it isn’t particularly entertaining.

For new players, the barrier to entry is very high. If you don’t have experience with the series or similar games, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Even with assists activated, there is a clear sense that the game demands a lot from you at all times. This makes the game risk scaring away players who might otherwise have appreciated the genre.

Conclusion

MotoGP 26 is a technically impressive game with a clear vision: to become more realistic and more like a true racing simulator. In many ways, it succeeds in that. But at the same time, it feels like the developers have gone a bit too far in that direction. For me personally, the result is that the game loses entertainment value. It is impressive in theory, but not always fun in practice. The graphics are nice and stable, with clear similarities to the Ride series, but it’s not enough to outweigh the overall experience. Taking all this into account, MotoGP 26 is a game that will likely be appreciated by hardcore fans of motorsport and simulators. But for many others, including myself, it risks feeling more frustrating than fun.

Milestone sent review code for this test. Senders of material have no editorial influence on our tests.