MXGP 26

Completexbox: 70 / 100

MXGP26 is a game I have genuinely enjoyed playing, and that is important to stress because my criticisms come from wanting to see it do more with what it already gets right. The handling offers a satisfying challenge, the dynamic terrain gives races an interesting extra dimension, and the official circuits and bikes provide a solid foundation for fans of motocross. When you find your rhythm and start tackling the tracks with confidence, there is plenty of fun to be had. It is not without its frustrations, of course. The learning curve could be handled better, the physics occasionally produce some questionable moments, and the presentation lacks the atmosphere that would help turn individual races into memorable events. These are areas where further refinement would make a meaningful difference, but they are not the reason MXGP26 falls short of its potential. That honour belongs to the missing career mode. I simply cannot understand why a modern racing game would launch without such an important feature, particularly when its core gameplay gives developers so much to build upon. Championship racing is enjoyable, but it cannot replace the feeling of developing a rider, earning opportunities, progressing through the ranks and working towards the ultimate prize. A proper career mode would give the entire experience greater purpose and provide a compelling reason to keep playing long after the first few races. For now, MXGP26 is an enjoyable motocross game that gets enough right to make me hopeful for the future, but it feels like a foundation rather than the finished article. I would happily spend more time with it, and I would be even happier if there were a meaningful career waiting for me when I returned.

GamingBolt: 7 / 10 by Stuart Glover

MXGP 26 is at its best when you're wrestling with the bike, adapting to surfaces, and maintaining momentum, but unpredictability can undermine the experience when it's at its most extreme.

Softpedia: 7.5 / 10 by Cosmin Vasile

MXGP 26 is a great step forward, and despite its shortcomings, it’s a very rewarding and immersive MXGP experience.