A realistic motocross simulator
MX Bikes is a motocross biking video game from PiBoSo. Based on a scratch-built physics engine, the game accurately depicts motorcycle dynamics and setup options, making for a realistic and fun experience. For players who want to take the immersion to the next level, the game is also supported on virtual reality devices like Oculus Rift and SteamVR (HTC Vive, Valve Index). Besides Windows, MX Bikes is also playable on macOS and Android.
While the game has no AI opponents nor any kind of career mode, MX Bikes is a multiplayer game. You can both host and join online matches on Windows. Here you can race against your friends, and the game will record a variety of different statistics to compare with one another. Similar to MX Simulator, this sports game does have a steep learning curve, but mastering it is a rewarding experience.
Immersive physics and high stakes multiplayer
MX Bikes was made for bike enthusiasts searching for a more realistic, hardcore biking simulator. Much like motocross itself, a novice attempt will be punished with lower marks, tumbles, and unanticipated swerves or errors. The steeper learning curve may make it less approachable for players looking for a quick, intuitive experience, but patience is rewarded with high scores and satisfying races.
Physics plays a key role in any online racing game, and MX Bikes is no exception. Angling roll jumps and properly timing when to brake are something you’ll have to get a feel for as you play the game. While this may be discouraging at first, the adjustment period is not dissimilar from the sport itself. The game rarely holds your hand or guides you, and with no RPG element or skill tree, all that separates a skilled player from a complete newcomer is the time they’ve put in.
Some games allow for vehicle modification to alter gameplay. Examples include video games such as Midnight Club II or Forza Horizon 5. MX Bikes has no upgrades to affect your bike’s performance, but it does offer some light cosmetic changes to suit your preference. These include painting your bike, helmet, kit, boots, and gloves. Additionally, there are tools and documents provided to build and integrate new tracks, gear, and protections.
What really sets MX Bikes apart from other simulation games for Windows is its attention to detail. The way your bike interacts with your movements and the environment feels realistic and keeps you coming back for just one more race. The chassis flexes just right when you lean into a harder impact, and there is terrain deformation. The dirt and grass respond to your presence, with tire marks and skids leaving deeper indentations whenever you ride in damp or rainy weather.
The physics in MX Bikes are not always entirely accurate, and this will occasionally cause your bike to steer off in a direction you didn’t intend, or have you bounce harder than expected when casing. It makes controlling the bike more unpredictable, but to some end, this arguably makes the game more fun. A quick reaction time is a vital trait for any good athlete, and this simulates that aspect of the sport to some degree.
MX Bikes vs MX Simulator
The biggest difference between MX Simulator and MX Bikes is that the former is more cinematic and quicker to learn. If you want to be quickly pull off more complex maneuvers like big, impressive jumps, and railing berms MX Simulator lets you jump into the action with minimal practice. It’s more forgiving and straightforward in its presentation, while MX Bikes tries to more accurately simulate actual motocross.
MX Bikes also has a better online experience, with modding and plugins readily available to customize the experience and make it more arcade-like, if that is your preference. Despite it being an older game, the graphics in MX Bikes still stand out, and its animations add a layer of credibility that MX Simulator sometimes forgets. For instance, MX Bikes makes a bigger deal of weighting the outside peg, something every good biker makes a point to do it.
A realistic motocross experience
If you are looking for a realistic biking simulator for Windows, then MX Bikes is highly recommended. In terms of realism, it is a cut above the rest. The game accurately depicts real-life motocross, from the dynamics to the tracks. More than that, it comes with loads of mods that extend its offering further. However, if you want a quick MX fix, this is not it. This is a simulator, and it takes practice to master the gameplay. You need to invest a lot of time to enjoy it fully.
