7.9

Review: Tour De France 2025

Tour de France 2025 makes a visual leap thanks to the switch to Unreal Engine 5. Cycling, landscapes and weather conditions are much more realistic than in previous years. There is noticeably more detail in the faces of riders, the shadows on the asphalt and surroundings around mountain stages and villages. Especially the sunlight exposure that filters through trees or reflection on wet roads contributes to a compelling atmosphere.

Yet not everything is flawless. On PS5 the game largely runs at 60 frames per second, but there are moments where framedrops occur, especially in large platoons and complex backgrounds. The resolution is sharp, but with fast camera movements sometimes occurs motion blur that can be distracting. Loading times have improved considerably compared to the previous generation, making the experience more fluid.

The core of the gameplay remains true to its predecessors, but with some refinements that make the racing feel more tactical and exciting. As a player you control one or more riders during long stages, where energy management, positioning and team tactics are central. The emphasis is not on adrenalineous action, but on precise planning and anticipation.

New in this edition are two energy-related additions: the önnergel and the Turbogel. These gels provide strategic decisions about when you accelerate or save energy, especially towards the final stage of a stage. Slipstreaming and wind resistance are more palpable than before, making the platoon react more realistic.

The AI of competitors has improved, although there are still times when riders collide, drive strange lines or exhaust themselves at illogical moments. The control is slightly smoother, with finer control at descents and turns.

Tour de France 2025 offers a wide range of playing modes. In the †"Pro Teamâ€TM mode you set up your own team, manage transfers and upgrades, and work on rankings. In †"Pro Leaderâ€TM you create an individual rider and guide him through his career. Both modes are very extensive and motivate long-term play.

The classic †"My Tourâ€TM mode lets you create a round or series of stages yourself. New this year is an extension of the †"Criteriumâ€TM format, an online mode where small teams compete in short, intense games. This adds much needed variation and speed to the more methodical standard gameplay.

As far as track is concerned, the game not only offers the full Tour de France, but also classics such as Paris-Roubaix, Liège-Bastogne-Liège and a selection of fictional but varied circuits. Unfortunately, the Giro dâ€TMItalia and the Vuelta are again missing due to licence restrictions.

The sound is mostly solid. The platoon sounds lively, with clear tyre sounds, wind noise and gears. The reporters' comments are informative, but repetitive. After a few stages sentences begin to repeat, which undermines the immersion. Audience along the way and ambiance sounds contribute well to the atmosphere, although they are static in nature.

The soundtrack is functional but inconspicuous, especially present in menuâ€TMs and intermediate results. There is no dynamic music during races, which contributes to realism, but to some players that can feel boring.