Chris InglisMonster Energy Supercross 25, the latest instalment from Milestone in the long-running motocross racing series, arrived on PC and consoles on April 10 with promises of enhanced career mode depth and dynamic track physics. Moving away from the numbered sequels, the core gameplay remains largely consistent with the series by providing the high-octane, adrenaline-pumping experience that fans have come to expect. However, it’s the new features that caught my eye and got me keen to jump on board though not all is smooth riding.
The biggest draw for me was the addition of a new career mode. Aimed at being more engaging by having a progression system, the introduction of rivalries, sponsorship deals, and team management, this injects a layer of strategic depth that was previously lacking. You will gain fame, reputation and team synergy as you win or lose races and championships, with other team offers coming along as you progress. The ability to customise your rider and bike with a wider array of team livery options adds a personal touch, allowing you to immerse yourself into your virtual racing career.
However, I feel these additions are overshadowed by a lack of voiceover for your team manager. The text-heavy communication, while informative, feels impersonal and detached. The absence of vocal delivery diminishes the emotional impact of your career progression, leading to a tendency to skip through dialogues and messages. I feel this is a significant oversight, as voice acting could have significantly elevated the career mode’s immersion and engagement. There are also new control mechanisms to handle your rider’s physics with the right stick. While this was very helpful on straights to angle your rider to handle bumps and jumps more efficiently, it made turning more difficult. I sometimes felt I was wrestling the camera as I tried to brake, steer and learn the new rut deformation system.
While Supercross 6 offered refinements to the existing high quality racing formula, Monster Energy Supercross 25 introduces dynamic track deformation. The shift to Unreal Engine 5 has allowed for greatly improved graphical fidelity, as well as new track deformation physics which I was looking forward to experiencing. Where Supercross 6 had more static track conditions that made it easy to memorise and master track layouts, Supercross 25 has made the track itself a dynamic part of the race.
The introduction of deformable terrain, where bikes carve ruts and alter the track surface with each lap, is a game-changer for Monster Energy Supercross 25. No two laps are identical, forcing you to adapt and strategise your racing on the fly. While rain adds a slick layer to all tracks, it significantly impacts the regular outdoor tracks with their intricate turns. Just as I thought I was getting used to controlling my rider and winning races, along came some tracks with rain. Mastering traction under these conditions proved to be very difficult. Not only does the track turn to mud, along with the deformation physics combined with the slippery conditions, enhanced the overall difficulty, realism and intensity of the races.
Another small detail that I appreciated is a goggles icon on the right of the screen which indicates the level of dirt obscuring your rider’s vision. With a simple button press, players can clear their goggles, and your rider will physically wipe them. While there’s no direct visual effect for you as the player, this feature adds a touch of realism and immersion, reminding players of the constant battle against the elements for actual riders. It’s a subtle addition that reinforces the game’s commitment to simulating the nuances of Supercross racing.
The detail of the tracks is excellent with fireworks and crowd animations, plus you can see yourself highlighted on the big screen in each arena. In addition, for the first time in the franchise history, all the official content from the current real-world racing season is included in the game. Further to this, Milestone is committed to regularly releasing track updates as the real-world Championship unfolds which will reflect the same updates as the Championship unfolds, adding to the authenticity of this racing game experience.
Beyond the career mode and track physics, Monster Energy Supercross 25 offers a variety of other game modes to keep players engaged. These additional modes provide a diverse range of gameplay experiences, catering to different playstyles and preferences.
Rhythm Attack:
This mode focuses on mastering rhythm sections, challenging players to maintain consistent speed and flow through a series of jumps and obstacles as a one shot, a best of 3 or a tournament.
Time Attack:
A classic mode where players strive to set the fastest lap times, and then race your ghost or the ghost of the best players in the world. This is perfect for honing individual skills on particular tracks and competing against leaderboard scores.
Championship:
Allows players to participate in a full official Supercross season, competing for the championship title, or create their own by customising which events to race.
Multiplayer:
Online multiplayer enables players to race against others from around the world, testing their skills in competitive races. The inclusion of cross-play is a very welcomed addition.
Post-launch, Milestone has ensured the game is one to come back to often as Monster Energy Supercross 25 features 12 online ranked seasons, with each season lasting one month. These will start on the first Monday of the month and end when the next season begins. Each season has a dedicated theme, rewards, and a specific leaderboard to rank the top players within that season. The first season will start on May 5, 2025.
Overall, Monster Energy Supercross 25 delivers an exciting Supercross experience with its dynamic track physics, enhanced career mode, and challenging weather effects. While the lack of voiceover took much away from the addition of the new career mode, and rider physics made tight turns a bit of a battle, the game’s overall improvements and attention to detail make it a worthwhile addition to the series. The dynamic rut changes ensure that no two races are the same, along with post-launch monthly seasons keeps the gameplay fresh to revisit often.
This review utilised an Xbox key provided by Plaion ANZ and Monster Energy Supercross 25 is available now on Steam, Epic Games Store, Xbox and PlayStation.
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Johnny