MotoGP 26 Review – Fast, Familiar, and Frustratingly Safe

MotoGP 26 Review – A Solid Ride

Milestone S.r.l has been making MotoGP games for over a decade, and MotoGP 26 is the latest example of their pedigree. Every spring the paddock gets repainted, the rider contracts get reshuffled, and a new entry slides into the garage. As expected, in many ways MotoGP 26 represents the series at its most polished — and most comfortable. And whether that’s a compliment or a criticism depends on your own personal investment in the sport.

The jump to Unreal Engine 5 is the most immediately obvious upgrade this year. Tracks are rendered with impressive attention to detail, and the bikes themselves look genuinely stunning — especially once you dip into the Photo Mode and examine the fine details like leather stitching, sponsor decals, and tire wear. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’tt Gran Turismo 7 or anything, but it’s closer than you’d expect from an annual release on this budget.

The Little Details

The one caveat is that the graphical leap during actual on-track racing is more modest. At 180 mph you’re not pausing to admire the scenery, and compared to last year’s game, the differences are subtle enough that a side-by-side screenshot might fool you. Crash animations are also a persistent sore spot — riders ragdolling off bikes in (admittedly hilarious) ways is a jarring reminder that this isn’t a AAA blockbuster production.

Sound design, though, is excellent. Milestone made big strides with audio last year, and that foundation has been greatly expanded upon in MotoGP 26. The result is a noticeably richer engine soundscape across all classes of bike. Moto2 in particular offers bikes with fuller and more menacing tones, making the smaller classes feel much more intriguing.

New Systems

The headlining change this year is the rider-based handling system, which swaps the old model — where your stick input steered the wheels directly — for one where you’re shifting the rider’s weight and letting the bike respond accordingly. In theory, it’s a more natural and immersive way to ride. In practice, the difference is real but subtle, something you feel more than you consciously notice. It certainly gives the bikes a slightly more planted, communicative feel that helps to create tense moments. Brake too late into a hairpin at 200+ mph and you’re not just running wide — you’re sliding into the gravel and watching taillights fade off into the distance.

That unforgiving nature is part of the appeal for sim fans, but it can be alienating. Mistakes feel catastrophic fast, with very little window to correct before a crash is already happening. The flip side is that when everything clicks — threading through a chicane, nailing a late brake, holding the inside line — the satisfaction is hard to match in any racing game currently available.

Career Aspirations

Career mode in MotoGP 26 gets the most attention this year, letting you either build a custom rider from the ground up in Moto3 or jump into the shoes of a real rider. There’s also a new 3D paddock hub that adds some nice atmosphere. The problem is depth — there’s no team management, no meaningful R&D arc, and after your first season, the repetition creeps in quickly. Comparing it to what, for example, the F1 games offer their career mode players is an unflattering look for Milestone.

Online multiplayer supports up to 22 riders with crossplay between PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, and customizable rulesets allow for some chaotic, thrilling races. There’s no ranking system, though, which strips out a lot of the competitive motivation and turns public lobbies into glorified demolition derbies before too long. Split-screen makes a welcome appearance for couch co-op fans, and the Race Off side modes — motard, minibikes, flat track — offer fun distractions, though they feel like appetizers rather than full courses.

The Finish Line

A new collectible card system rewards race completion with virtual card packs, and while it’s a harmless bit of extra incentive, it doesn’t add much substance. At least there are no microtransactions attached to it.

MotoGP 26 is a very good motorcycle racing game that stops just short of being a great one. The riding feels better than it ever has, the presentation is strong, and the sheer amount of official content — every rider, team, bike, and circuit from the 2026 season — makes it the only real option if you want authentic MotoGP action. But Milestone’s reluctance to take bigger swings in career depth, online infrastructure, and structural innovation means the game moves forward in first gear when it has the engine for fourth. If you’re already a MotoGP fan, this is an easy recommendation. If you’re on the fence, it might not be the game that converts you — but it’ll absolutely get you thinking about it.

***A PS5 code was provided for this review***