Tour de France 2025 review

Sports titles routinely permit players to perform unparalleled feats of athleticism. Whether it’s threading a pass through a defense in FIFA or launching a buzzer-beating three-pointer in NBA 2K, the genre can feel like an interactive highlight reel.

But few games manage to convey the true grind of elite competition. That’s where Cyanide Studio’s Tour de France series has set itself apart, simulating not just the spectacle but the sheer exertion of La Grande Boucle. With Tour de France 2025 for PC, the franchise finally breaks from its long plateau. Striving for immersion while injecting a respectable amount of innovation, this year’s entry is a moderate leap forward.

A Much-Needed Visual Upgrade

For years, each annual edition felt like a minor tune-up, rarely justifying a full-price purchase. But Tour de France 2025 changes gears with a transition to Unreal Engine 5. Likely, this is the biggest overhaul the rather stagnant series has seen in a decade. The difference is immediately noticeable.

No longer are players subjected to generic pelotons and muddy textures. Now, you’re treated to panoramic vistas and dynamic lighting. Best of all, licensed kits and bikes recreate the look of a live broadcast while players are rendered with increased detail. Sure, there’s still the occasional blemish. But now the French countryside and its athletes flaunt a newfound vibrancy.

One Addition That Gels, Teammates Who Still Don’t

Tour de France 2025’s core experience largely remains the same. You’ll still manage your rider’s stamina, traverse the chaos of the peloton, and carefully time your attacks. But several of the game’s systems have been given subtle refinement. Now, rather than simply consuming standard gels, you now must choose between Energel for steady recovery or TurboGel for a burst of attack energy, contributing a bit of strategy to climbs and sprints.

Races themselves feel more alive, thanks to improved AI. Yes, there’s still the occasional frustration with teammates still refusing to take the lead, leaving you to do all the work. But the game’s controls have been tweaked and are now more responsive. Importantly, the focus isn’t just about button-mashing your way through every kilometer of a race.

Modes, Multiplayer, and a Lack of Splitscreen

The game’s structure also remains familiar. You can tackle the full 21-stage Tour, jump into classics like the newly added Flèche Wallonne and Circuit Grand Est, or build your career in Pro Leader mode. This year, Tour de France’s multiplayer component gets an upgrade, with the ability to create private races and expanded online rankings in Criterium mode. The shift to a new engine means that splitscreen is gone, and it’s always disheartening to lose features. But on the upside, online play seems smoother, while the addition of “Races of the Moment” and “Descents of the Moment” offer some concession to competitive players.

2025’s user interface and menus have been redesigned for quicker navigation. New accessibility options like a colorblind-friendly mode are naturally welcome. But there are still quite a few lingering issues. Audio commentary remains disappointingly repetitive, and the game’s podium celebrations are still as awkward as ever. But the inclusions of additional environmental aspects lift the title, showcasing details like shimmering water and fuller course-side crowds.

A Strong Contender, But Still No Yellow Jersey

Thankfully, Tour de France 2025 isn’t just another lap around the same old circuit. Thanks to the visual overhaul, the game finally captures the spectacle of cycling’s greatest race. That said, It’s still a demanding simulation. One where a single misstep can cost you an hour of progress, which is both realistic and somewhat masochistic. But for the first time in years, the franchise has made some way headway. It’s not an outright champion but it good to see Tour de France tired of coasting in the pack.

Tour de France 2025 was played on PC with review code provided by the publisher.