Milestone brings us back the adrenaline of the top motorcycle racing category with the same passion as always.
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April comes to a close with some great news for fans of the top motorcycle racing category: the arrival of MotoGP 26. From the Italian developers at Milestone, this new installment of MotoGP features all 38 circuits that make up the 2026 calendar and over 70 competitors, including newcomers Toprak Razgatlıoğlu and Diogo Moreira, the Brazilian who makes his debut alongside the return of the Brazilian Grand Prix, absent since 1992 in the category.
It’s interesting to think that the franchise has been around for two decades without interruption, a big challenge for the development team that must year after year surpass quality standards that are already very high, both technically and in terms of gameplay. In my case, I think the last MotoGP I reviewed was the 2023 edition, and I was already impressed with what they had done three years ago, so I approached this new version with some doubts about the contributions that could be seen compared to that edition that already seemed excellent to me.
Put on your helmet and join me on a journey around the world in a two-wheeled analysis at over 200 km/h. The checkered flag is there, to be reached in first place. Let’s go.
Technical Section
In terms of visuals, I didn’t notice a significant change compared to previous versions, but this is far from being a criticism. The truth is that I think the franchise has reached a peak in this aspect that is impossible to surpass, at least in the main details, the same thing that happens with the Ride saga from the same development studio.
However, I must say that the tracks look excellent and the adverse weather conditions were also portrayed in a better way. An aspect that also adds up is that the visual style of TV broadcasts was calculated. The motorcycles are represented in a completely realistic way with all the details up to date.
The sounds of the motorcycles also help create a great atmosphere at all times. The soundtrack is good enough not to interfere too much and accompanies the player in navigating the different menus, which, fortunately, are not too many.
The game is localized to our language, even in the commentators’ stories, although I have preferred to go for the English-speaking option out of habit.
Gameplay
The main innovation of the title appears in the form of a improved realism that incorporates a system of physics of pilot movement based on movement. The control of traction and handling were already well-worked points in previous editions, to the point that to drive the motorcycle with the highest realism settings, you had to be a true expert because the sensitivity was really from another world. In this edition, beyond the physics of the bike on the track, the Milestone team gave great importance to the movement of the pilots and how the weight is distributed in different parts of the tracks.
In this way, in the most advanced configurations, you will have to pay attention to how the body is positioned in the curves, when braking or advancing in a straight line, something that will be key to maintaining stability and being able to conserve a position or advance to the front of the rivals.
This new system increases immersion and expands the control system much further than what happens with the motorcycle itself, which is a great point especially for simulation purists, who, in the end, are the audience that this IP is mainly aimed at.
MotoGP 26 also adds a dynamic point system for each pilot, a function that will make the score of each competitor be affected by what happens to them in the real tournament in several attributes such as lap time, pace, consistency, and reliability. A gift for fans who, once again, are the main consumers of this saga.
Perhaps all this that I am mentioning about realism may scare off the more casual player who discovered the discipline recently and wants to be part of this story, but for that, there is also a solution: the title offers two different styles to enjoy it, in addition to the one focused on simulation, with all that it implies, also appears the arcade experience that simplifies the handling system so that those who only want to enjoy a speed race can also do so.
The game also offers several tutorials, ideal for those who are new to the IP, which will make the learning curve (which is pronounced in the most PRO modes) feel more accessible.
The career mode also had significant improvements, not so much in terms of history or progress, but in terms of presentation. The complex menus of the previous editions are gone, in this edition 26, a 3D paddock appears that allows the player to interact with the manager, access press conferences where there are different response options that modify some attributes, and many more options, including the possibility of negotiating with other teams or working on the development of motorcycles with the engineers of the brands.
Duration
Beyond the busy complete calendar that emulates the real MotoGP, which includes complete weekends with training, qualification, and racing, the game also offers additional categories in career mode with MotoGP3 and MotoGP2, but as if all this were not enough, there are also additional mini-competitions of motard, flat track, and minibikes that, in addition to being very fun, give another playable touch to the title.
To add even more hours, there are also collectible cards. Illustrated by artist Ranka Fujiwara, these cards show different milestones in the player’s career, such as victories, lap records, and other turning points in the journey. A nice addition that asks for a path for something more in the future, I think.
All this, combined with the online mode that allows for 22-player simultaneous races with cross-play between almost all platforms, makes the time investment very high, and that’s a good thing.
Conclusion
A game that continues to offer the most realistic experience in the genre in every aspect and detail, but that also doesn’t close the door to those looking for a more casual experience. The Milestone quality seal remains undisputed and invites us to think about how they will manage to surpass themselves in the next edition, although for that, there is still a year to go.
This is a game that has many positive adjectives in the eyes of a fan of the category, so I shouldn’t even have to recommend it, but I do anyway. If you’re a MotoGP fan, this game will keep you more than happy until the next edition arrives, that’s a guarantee.
Translator and video game localiser with a passion for retro titles and simulators. He has never let go of a controller since he was given an Atari 2600. He collaborates with different developers in the localisation of their titles into Spanish through Camelot Translations.
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