Milestone took a year off from its Monster Energy Supercross series in 2024 and has brought the series specifically to current generation consoles and PC.Monster Energy Supercross 25is designed on the Unreal Engine 5, which joins the likes of the upcomingMotoGP 25.The series was traditionally a year behind in terms of the “league year,” so it always felt outdated when released. The break also allowed the devs to get into the correct rotation and offer the current 2025 riders, bikes and tracks to race on. The changes for this year’s game mark the largest leap in the series history, but it still has legacy issues.
Finally Racing with the Times
Can you imagine an NFL game launching in the spring after the football season? This used to be the thing back in the 16-bit era. This was also this basis of the Monster Energy Supercross series coming out a year later. Now, it has finally caught up, and in its most important season. While rider Jett Lawrence is out for the season (or most of it), the future of the sport wasn’t available in the past in the 450SX, which is the top class. Now, he and other major riders are included along with new manufacturers that haven’t been seen in the sport previously.
The 2025 season is truly about expansion with Italian bike manufacturer Beta joining Supercross and the longtime British manufacturer Triumph, who decided to get into making dirt bikes. The Futures, 250SX and 450SX for the 2025 season are all here, and Birmingham is in the game as it replaced Atlanta in recent years. The development team could have left the major overhaul of this game to just having these updates, but thankfully the team went deeper.
The Jump to the New Generation
This is the first time the series has only been available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, in terms of the console release. TheMXGPseries moved away from Milestone, so there isn’t a prior dirt bike game to do this. This also marks the move to the Unreal Engine 5 for the first time in any of the Milestone games, which allows for a noticeable visual improvement.
This is the first time the series has only been available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, only, in terms of the console release.
Milestone included Lumen lighting for much more realistic lighting that provides proper reflecting and light bouncing. Those results are a huge upgrade in realism that are helped by updated ragdoll cloth physics in motion. Other particle effects and three-dimensional clouds affect different lighting at times. The game features different weather options resulting in different lighting, so the variety of the looks of the tracks will always feel fresh.
Updating the Overall Feel of the Game
If you know dirt bikes and Supercross, you know ruts are a major component of the sport. Ruts are pre-defined lines that take shape in the dirt/mud that stay for ideal lines. These really haven’t been a part of this series, butMonster Energy Supercross 25has introduced a new dynamic terrain deformation system that includes evolving ruts, meaning the track changes over the course of the race.
Riders will need to adapt their riding lines during races because there will be a faster lines. This isn’t as substantial in practice, though. The game does feature first-person camera views along with third-person camera views. In the third-person view, it’s more difficult to see these lines. They are much more identifiable in the first-person view, but both views have their difficulties on handling.
MotoGP 25 Officially Announced in New Trailer
MotoGP 25 will offer “The Heart of Racing”, which is the core design behind the 2025 edition of the game.
There will be multiple ways to take some corners on all the tracks in the game. Going to the outside allows for riders to keep their speed while going short aims to undercut and counteract that strategy, if you can get grip. Overall, the track deformation has an effect, but it’s more visual than what’s felt. This might tie into the new riding physics.
Supercross 25features a good bit of assists just to make sure riders can get on the track.One major issue remains with teaching the newcomer how to play the game, but not how to succeed at the game. If players want to get good, they may need to watch videos online. The game is geared towards people who know how to approach Supercross and the rhythm involved with the sport. The difference with the latest game is that the game doesn’t feel broken or against the rider; it’s just difficult to master.
Riders feel heavy and grounded while on the ground. Now, when bikes are in the air, rider weight can be transferred to help steer the bike in a direction. It can still be touchy in the air, but the heavy rider helps to instill confidence. Managing that throttle is pivotal and slow-speed corners are difficult. Attempting to drift or whip the bike is also difficult and requires mastering. Players can make up lost time in rhythm sections, but getting great at this game requires practice and learning each track. Lesser-class bikes don’t necessarily offer better handling, but there are bike setup tips if you want to go that route.
Bringing in the Milestone Neural AI
TheMotoGPseries from Milestone was the first to feature a Neural AI from the developer.Supercross 25includes a Neural AI that is experienced in Career Mode. This AI will adapt throughout the season and offers distinct personalities, favorite tracks and keeps tabs on you. It’ll also choose the best lines on the track and create spatial awareness.
This AI will adapt throughout the season and offers distinct personalities, favorite tracks and keeps tabs on you.
That spatial awareness is key to improving the experience. The AI used to make dumb decisions, but this isn’t happening here. It seems this is only in Career Mode, but there isn’t any other mode outside of one-off races or a one-off championship to actually race in. The Career Mode is where Milestone put its entire bag this year and it’s surprisingly engaging.
Milestone with Another Deep Career Mode
Milestone has taken chances with its Career Mode in the MotoGP series in recent years and it has paid off. This is carrying over toSupercross 25as this Career Mode is completely different than the past. Yes, you will start in futures and move towards 250SX and eventually 450SX. But a new social media interaction system plus having an advisor actually does shape the career path. Gaining followers does build reputation that garners attention from the top teams.
But a new social media interaction system plus having an advisor actually does shape the career path.
You have the option to throw your engineers under the bus, as well, which will hurt bike progression. Bike progression is pivotal to be competitive in your career. Team synergy will directly influence the bike progression. Rivalries get established and riders will single you out thanks to the Neural AI. Goals are set for each race that are known as Acts. These help create narratives throughout the season, almost like a mini-series that peaks with the Climax. The Climax will impact the player’s progression.
Milestone included six fictional motocross tracks that are thrown in as events during the Career Mode. These are set in distinct locations across the country for different visual environments. Weirdly, these are only accessible in Career Mode. There is one track that’s fantastic and it’s only rideable here. This is where the negatives start to pop up as content is limited inSupercross 25.
The Rest of the Modes and What’s Missing
The elephant in the room for veterans of the series is the removal of the Compound. This open-world mode was an attraction to the series for so long and it isn’t included. The team had two years to develop this and didn’t, but don’t be surprised if it comes back next year as a new feature. The one fictional course mentioned above that is set at a gas plant feels like it was pulled from the Compound, but the mode is absent.
Supercross Academy provides a set of lessons to provide an idea of how to play the game. Again, there’s more that can be taught, but a lot of this will be practice to learn the tracks and their rhythm sections. It would be nice to see a deeper tutorial with more context.Other modes include Single Event, Time Attack, Championship and Rhythm Attack.Online Multiplayer features unranked, ranked and private matches up to sixteen players. The matches are determined by a random playlist. Splitscreen racing is available including the Rhythm Attack, which is the most fun and accessible part of the game.
If you have a friend over and just want to jump onSupercross 25, the Rhythm Attack is fantastic. There are a few separate tracks but’s also an excellent way to learn how approaching jumps works and to try new things out. It’s wide open with no turns, will allow you to work on your gate drop launches and just have some fun. There’s no online portion for this, which is disappointing, but you can play the AI in a tournament that gets progressively harder.
The customization aspects return, as fully-licensed parts and gear are in the game. Bikes can be upgrade with unlocked parts thanks to a new progression system for both the manufacturer and the rider. The Track Editor also returns and with the ability to download and share tracks, which allows for more longevity. Players will be starting fresh and currently there’s no library being carried over.
If you have a friend over and just want to jump onSupercross 25, the Rhythm Attack is fantastic.
The Career Mode doesn’t allow bike customization, and since as it’s the main mode, this degrades the use of customizing and upgrading bikes. Bike development is different than upgrading individual parts. Colors can’t even be changed in Career, so it seems just for personal reasons or online does bike customization come into play.
It’s also worth noting since the last Milestone Supercross title, the series has been merged to feature both the indoor and the outdoor parts of the season. The series is known as Super Motocross now, and maybe due to something with licensing, there' as restriction on the other content, but there’s a whole other part of the season now that’s considered official. Hopefully this can be brought into the fold in the future.
How are the Technical Portions?
The Unreal Engine 5 upgrade is substantial, butSupercross 25isn’t going to hold a candle to other UE5 titles.The lighting and the reflections are the large improvements, and the game looks solid from a distance. Rider faces are in the game, but the faces and the bikes aren’t up to par. It’s already that the devs made the move, but there are individual components that stick out. The race introductions showcase the lighting improvements.
While the bike handling feels better and more approachable, there are still times where you’ll work your way into a situation you can’t avoid. Players can rewind to start again. Collisions are still bad as there’s no controller feedback and no immersion to bumping. Players still fall off bikes and just pop back up. Even Excitebike made you run back to your bike when dumping. This is the best riding experience the series has ever seen, but there are still caveats. The introductions are roughly the same with the commentators and all the cutscenes. Bike audio sounds like four stroke dirt bikes, but there could be more variety here. The music in the game is generic rock and roll, which automatically plays during races. It gets by once again, but not having a noticeable difference in exhaust audio from not only bike manufacturers, but bike classes, remains a miss.
Closing Comments:
Taking a year off truly helped the core experience ofMonster Energy Supercross 25,but at the sacrifice of cut content. The change to the Unreal Engine 5 provides a different experience than in the past. The updated riding physics makes the game both more accessible and more difficult. Tight cornering and fighting for grip is the biggest hurdle. The Neural AI in the fantastic Career Mode is great, something that other racing series could use. The removal of the Compound hurts, but the Rhythm Section mode helps to make up for that loss. Mainly, fans of the series looking for a current Supercross experience finally get it in 2025, as the game is finally set in the year it releases.
Monster Energy Supercross 25 – The Official Video Game
Version Reviewed: PlayStation 5
Supercross riders don’t hold back - why should you? So, pre-order Monster Energy Supercross 25 now and get the Full Game plus the Stars & Stripes Pack!Get ready for the official 2025 Supercross season with Monster Energy Supercross 25!Experience the thrill of racing on newly designed tracks that replicate real-world events and compete against the latest roster of professional riders: forge your path in a revamped career featuring intense competitions, rivalries, and strategic choices.Thanks to Unreal Engine 5, enjoy a renewed gameplay experience with realistic physics and dynamic track evolution, making every lap unique and challenging. Master the flow with open tutorials, a comprehensive wiki, and Neural Technology riding aids.Customize your experience with advanced editors and share your creations across platforms.Plus, enjoy full crossplay support for global competition in immersive online multiplayer modes regardless of the platform, whether you’re competing in casual races or battling for the top spot in ranked leaderboards.
