Monster Energy Supercross 25 - The Official Video Game
Review
Motorbikes and Mud
by William Thompson
reviewed on PC
Getting down and dirty
I'm not that much of a motorsport fan. I do watch the Formula One Grand Prix from time to time and will watch the Bathurst 1000, but I can't say that I've watched too much of the two-wheeled motorsports. Despite this, Monster Energy Supercross 25 offers an experience that can be appreciated even by those with limited exposure to the sport, though it comes with a significant learning curve.
One of the game's strengths is the sheer depth of customization. Players can tinker with a heap of different settings to tailor the experience to their liking, allowing for a spectrum of realism. However, this depth can also be a double-edged sword. Even on the Rookie setting, Monster Energy Supercross 25 can be quite challenging for newcomers. The game demands precision; the slightest misuse of weight shifting or braking can send you careening off the track at every turn. Careful management of speed is also crucial to maintain momentum through each jump. This isn't an arcade racer where you can simply hold down the throttle and expect to succeed.
A steep incline
The game provides a basic tutorial, offering a list of skills and how to execute them. There's also a free-riding section in the Supercross Academy for players to practice. However, the tutorial falls short in explaining the purpose of some skills or when they are most effectively used. This lack of guidance can leave players, especially those unfamiliar with Supercross racing, feeling lost and overwhelmed. A more comprehensive tutorial system, perhaps with contextual tips or in-race demonstrations, would greatly benefit new players.
Despite the steep learning curve, Monster Energy Supercross 25 does offer some redeeming qualities. Although the racing circuits share similar features, each track feels distinct. This variety is further enhanced by dynamic weather conditions, which alter the tracks and require players to adapt their riding style. The tracks also evolve over time; multiple laps carve ruts into the soil, creating dynamic obstacles that must be navigated. This track deformation adds a layer of realism and challenge, making each race feel unique.
Exacting skill
The game's difficulty is a core element. Even the slightest error in judgment can be enough to take you out of contention. Success requires players to develop a deep familiarity with both the track and their chosen machine. Each bike offers different settings for speed, acceleration, braking, and handling. Finding the right balance for your racing style is crucial. In my experience, bikes with superior handling provided a significant advantage over those with raw speed, allowing for more precise control and the ability to recover from minor mistakes.
Monster Energy Supercross 25 is not an arcade racer; it leans heavily into simulation. When you finally achieve a sense of "oneness" with your bike, the experience can be incredibly rewarding. The AI opponents, even on the Rookie difficulty, are surprisingly skilled. They exhibit competent racing lines and execute jumps with precision, forcing players to pay close attention to their rivals' movements. However, I did encounter an issue with the AI's aggressiveness. Opponents frequently bumped me off the track, often resulting in a reset, which is frustrating, especially when it feels like the contact was unavoidable. This lack of reciprocity – where the player rarely seems to have the same effect on the AI – can lead to moments of significant frustration.
Visually, Monster Energy Supercross 25 is impressive. The graphics are detailed, and the environments are well-rendered, contributing to the overall immersion. Each of the venues has been intricately detailed, and it often feels like you're racing on the real thing. The atmosphere of the races is thrilling too, with the crowds cheering and the sound of motorbikes ripping up the mud and dirt. The game has an awesome soundtrack too, but unfortunately, for much of the time it is drowned out by the sound of revving engines. This could have been toned down somewhat to make full use of the upbeat tunes.
A bumpy ride
If you're a fan of Supercross, then you'll likely enjoy Monster Energy Supercross 25. However, for casual fans, or those looking at getting into the series, be wary that this is a tough game to master. Slowly improving and gaining followers in the Career Mode is definitely rewarding though. The visuals are great and the soundtrack provides for an atmospheric experience, but the difficulty, even at the lowest level can be tough. The opposition racers are aggressive and competent, even down to the last rider, ensuring that a single mistake can cost you a race. And when some of these errors are no fault of your own, it can be a frustrating experience.
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6.5
fun score
Pros
Great visuals, each track feels unique
Cons
Tough for beginners, racing can get monotonous, engine revving drowns out the awesome soundtrack.
