- MXGP 26 early review verdict: a major rebuild that feels like a fresh start for the franchise.
- New developer Artifact Studios rebuilt the game on Unreal Engine 5 with dynamic terrain deformation.
- Early access starts September 28, 2026 via the special edition; full release lands October 1, 2026.
- Deep physics and assist settings let you tune everything from steering sensitivity to wheelie assist.
- AI riders react to the changing track, making races feel genuinely competitive.
MXGP 26 Early Review: Overview
MXGP 26 marks a complete rebuild from MXGP 24, developed by Artifact Studios and running on Unreal Engine 5. Our early hands-on time confirmed this is not a light refresh — the physics model, terrain system, and visual presentation all feel new. The game launches officially on October 1, 2026, with early access opening September 28, 2026 for special edition buyers.
Video Highlights:
- Early access gameplay on Unreal Engine 5 with 19 official tracks and 16 bikes
- Terrain deformation changes the track surface every single lap
- Extensive physics and assist settings shape the entire riding experience
- AI riders struggle with ruts and deformation just like the player
| Feature | MXGP 26 Details |
|---|---|
| Developer | Artifact Studios (new team) |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 5 |
| Release Date | October 1, 2026 |
| Early Access | September 28, 2026 (special edition) |
| Official Tracks | 19 |
| Bikes | 16, across 8 manufacturers |
| Manufacturers | KTM, Fantic, Yamaha, Beta, Ducati, Kawasaki, Husqvarna, and more |
If you bounced off MXGP 24, this rebuild is worth a second look. The handling model, graphics, and track evolution are substantially different from the previous entry.
Graphics and Terrain Deformation
The standout feature of MXGP 26 is dynamic terrain deformation. Ruts develop as laps go by, lines change, and the track you ride on the final lap is visibly rougher than the one you started on. Reviewers consistently describe the deformation as next-level — the first motocross game where the changing surface meaningfully affects racing.
| Visual Element | Early Review Impressions |
|---|---|
| Track detail | Excellent, tracks look amazing in motion |
| Deformation | ★★★★★ Ruts deepen every lap, lines evolve |
| First-person view | Surprisingly good, adjustable FOV |
| Bike graphics | Sharp, strong manufacturer representation |
| Overall look | Beautiful, major leap over MXGP 24 |
Terrain deformation quality can be set to Off, Minimum, Low, Default, High, or Max. Higher settings dramatically change how ruts form — experiment to find the balance of realism and performance that suits your setup.
Physics, Settings, and Rider Control
The deepest part of this early review is the settings system. MXGP 26 hands control back to the player with an unusually granular set of physics options, and tuning them changes how the game feels more than almost anything else.
| Setting | What It Does | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Steering sensitivity | Controls how snappy steering responds | Lower it for stability through ruts |
| Air control sensitivity | How freely the bike moves mid-air | Low feels more manageable |
| Wheelie assist | Limits or allows full wheelie control | Off for experienced riders |
| Rider lean assist | Auto-manages weight transfer | Off for sim-style riding |
| Riding presets | Rookie, Amateur, Competitive, Expert | Start Amateur, work up |
| Stick layout | One-stick vs both-stick rider weight | Both sticks reward learning |
Key takeaways from early play:
- The bike is extremely powerful — 450-class throttle control demands respect out of corners.
- Whips and air control feel free once sensitivity is dialed in.
- Together-steering (both sticks) rewards practice more than one-stick assist.
- Jump faces are sensitive; small inputs can send you sideways.
Create Your Profile and Bike
Pick your rider name, number, and one of eight manufacturers, then customize colors, number plate fonts, and even tire color.
Start on Amateur Preset
Use the accessible preset to learn the flow before worrying about technicalities. You can change difficulty at any time.
Tune Steering Sensitivity Down
The default feels snappy for many riders. Lowering sensitivity adds stability through developing ruts.
Turn Off Assists Gradually
Disable wheelie assist, rider lean assist, and posture assist one at a time as your control improves.
Set Deformation to High
Once comfortable, raise terrain deformation quality for the full track-evolution experience.
Even on Amateur, the 450s have serious power. Rolling off the throttle before corners and managing drive out is essential — full-throttle entries consistently end in wrecks.
AI Racing and Game Modes
The AI is a genuine highlight of MXGP 26. Unlike scripted racers on rails, AI riders deal with the same deformation problems you do — they get caught in ruts, make mistakes, cross-jump, and battle side by side. On Expert difficulty, they are genuinely hard to beat.
| Racing Element | Early Verdict |
|---|---|
| AI competitiveness | Strong on Expert — first races ended outside the top 5 |
| AI realism | ★★★★★ Affected by ruts and deformation like the player |
| Race format | Grand Prix weekends with qualifying and mains |
| Progression | Badge and journey system, ticket economy |
| Online potential | Promising thanks to free-feeling physics |
Grand Prix Mode
- Customizable sessions
- Adjustable opponent skill
- Full entry lists
Journey System
- Milestone badges
- Ticket rewards
- Long-term goals
First-Person Riding
- Adjustable FOV
- Immersive feel
- Worth extended testing
The game penalizes corner cutting and obstacle avoidance exploits. Penalties and achievements tied to clean riding are built into the race structure.
Early Review Scorecard and Launch Checklist
| Category | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Graphics | ★★★★★ | Beautiful tracks, strong UE5 presentation |
| Terrain deformation | ★★★★★ | Standout feature, changes every lap |
| Physics depth | ★★★★☆ | Deep settings, jump faces need practice |
| AI racing | ★★★★★ | Realistic, competitive, affected by track wear |
| Accessibility | ★★★★☆ | Presets welcome newcomers, Expert challenges vets |
| Learning curve | ★★★☆☆ | Steering model takes time to internalize |
Launch Week Goals:
- Complete rider profile and bike customization
- Test Amateur preset before raising difficulty
- Lower steering sensitivity for rut stability
- Set terrain deformation to High or Max
- Finish a full Grand Prix weekend on Competitive
MXGP 26 is a genuine rebuild that plays and looks meaningfully better than MXGP 24. Remaining question marks — jump-face stability and rider weight distribution — are learnable skills rather than flaws, and that learning curve is exactly what should keep players coming back.
FAQ
Q: When does MXGP 26 release, and when does early access start?
MXGP 26 officially releases on October 1, 2026. Players who purchase the special edition get early access starting September 28, 2026.
Q: Is MXGP 26 a full rebuild from MXGP 24?
Yes. MXGP 26 is developed by new studio Artifact Studios on Unreal Engine 5, featuring 19 official tracks and 16 bikes. Early impressions indicate it plays very differently from MXGP 24.
Q: Does terrain deformation really change every lap?
Yes. Ruts develop and lines evolve as the race progresses, affecting both the player and the AI. Deformation quality is adjustable from Off up to Max.
Q: Which settings should new players adjust first?
Start on the Amateur preset, then lower steering sensitivity for stability, and gradually turn off wheelie and lean assists as your control improves. You can change riding difficulty at any time.