The simracing market is booming. Hordes of new players are trying their luck in the exciting world of racing simulation, often with their own set of questions to get started in the best possible conditions. The one that comes up most often is “what’s the best car simulation?”
So today, we’re going to take a look at the range of car simulations on offer to find the one that will give you the most fun, the most thrills… And the most realism!
The three types of racing game
Before getting to the heart of the matter and discovering the different car simulations on the market, it’s very important to understand that there are 3 main categories of racing games. Each category caters for very different player profiles and gaming experiences, ranging from instant fun to near-professional precision.
1. Arcade racing games
First and foremost are the arcade racing games. These games are designed to be accessible to the general public, are easy to play with the controller and make no pretensions to realistic driving. What counts in these games is fun, pleasure and ease of use.
If your primary objective is to have fun without seeking pure realism, and without having to buy a steering wheel and pedals, there’s a good chance that this category will appeal to you.
These include Need For Speed, The Crew, Grid, Forza Horizon, Test Drive and Wreckfest (although Wreckfest may also fall into the sim-arcade category).
We won’t dwell on these titles. That’s not where you’re likely to find the best car simulation. So let’s move straight on to the first category we’re really interested in: sim-arcades.
2. Sim-arcade racing games
The second category comprises sim-arcade racing games. What does sim-arcade mean? Well, they’re games with more realistic vehicle behavior, and sometimes tire and fuel management. But they’re still easy enough to get to grips with that novices can quickly play them without frustration.
The game can be played with a joystick, although a steering wheel and pedals are recommended for maximum enjoyment and immersion.
Licenses include the famous Gran Turismo, Forza Motorsport, Project Cars and Formula One.
Gran Turismo 7 on PS4 and PS5
The Gran Turismo saga returned to its first love with GT7. After a transitional online-focused episode, GT Sport, this new episode at last offers us the joy of a real, old-fashioned single-player mode. A paradise for collectors and lovers of automotive history.
And as expected, it was an instant success. For many, the Gran Turismo saga means precious memories! A comprehensive career mode, sumptuous graphics… It’s probably the game that has generated the most passion for cars among its players!
Okay, so it’s far from a pure simulation in terms of vehicle behavior and race management. But its progression mode, with the famous permits to pass, allows you to quickly learn and above all understand how a vehicle reacts. On top of that, Gran Turismo is undoubtedly the racing game that best conveys the love of motor sport and the history of its brands.
To top it all off, Gran Turismo’s production studio, Polyphony Digital , has signed a partnership with Fanatec. The result? The Fanatec GT DD Pro, the first PS5-compatible Direct Drive steering wheel available to the general public!
And don‘t miss our interview with Gran Turismo’s creator at the GT World Series 2023 in Barcelona
Forza Motorsport 8 on X Box and PC
Launched on October 10, 2023, the title boasts over 500 vehicles, and a large enough community to ensure there’s never a shortage of things to do, whether solo or online. From a technical point of view, it’s far from a pure simulation… But it’s by far one of the best sim-arcade racing games available on X Box to date.
Formula One 2023 on all platforms
Every year, the Formula One series brings us a new game to relive the current Formula 1 season. After a 2022 season that marked Ferrari’s return to the forefront of the sport, with relentless duels and suspense right up to the last race to see who would be runner-up… The 2023 season once again saw its share of upsets in just a few races.
Alonso hitting hard with his Aston Martin, Mercedes returning from beyond the grave and Verstappen seemingly flying over the track light years ahead of the competition.
It’s hardly surprising, then, that so many new simracers choose F1 23. Even if it’s not a simulation in the strict sense of the word in terms of driving, the title still offers a fairly complete challenge. This year even sees the return of red flags! This makes F1 23 the most complete racing game in terms of racing rules. Practice sessions, qualifying sessions, sprint races and GP races are all well captured.
The driving aspect has also improved since F1 22. Vehicle grip is much more natural and legible. In short, if you’re looking for a challenging yet accessible and fun driving experience, then this is the game for you F1 23 may have a place in your game library.
Project Cars 2 on all platforms
What a shame..
This game, which marked its generation, has unfortunately disappeared completely from the Steam platform. The circuit and vehicle licenses have expired, which is why it has been withdrawn from sale. It can still be found on certain key retailers, but of course the multiplayer mode has also completely disappeared. I’ve chosen to leave it in this list because it deserves to be remembered for a few more years.
Released in 2017, you might think that Project Cars 2 is getting a little old. Well, that’s not really the case yet. OK, I wouldn’t recommend it on console, as the graphics have aged too much. On the PC, however, it’s still worth the detour. In the Sim-Arcade category, it’s almost flawless!
In terms of vehicle behavior, it’s pretty close to simulation. Vehicle settings are very advanced, with tire management, fuel management, pit stops… Even brake temperature is taken into account. On top of that, the variety of circuits, the day/night cycle, the changing weather… Driving on tarmac, dirt, snow and even ice!
It’s just amazing what you can find in this game. In short, I highly recommend it to PC gamers who want an advanced sim-arcade with the aim of learning as much as possible before moving on to full simulation. What’s more, it’s available today at a very low price, so why deprive yourself of a good time?
Automobilista 2 on PC
Here’s a title that’s not very well known to the general public, but which nevertheless has a few trump cards up its sleeve. First of all, it shares the same physics and graphics engines as Project Cars 2, but with a refreshing twist.
In terms of vehicle physics, it tends to push the simulation envelope more than PC2, while remaining fairly accessible to new players. AMS2 also brings freshness to the track list. With a good number of Latin American tracks, often completely forgotten by other studios.
Regular updates also bring improvements in vehicle physics and new content to get under your wheels!
WRC Generations on all platforms
The latest WRC Generations buries us under a ton of content. In addition to new vehicles for the all-new Hybrid generation, there’s also a host of historic models. An opportunity to enjoy a game that may be more arcade than simulator in terms of driving… but which is nonetheless highly addictive and comprehensive.
See : Our test of WRC Generations
3. Pure simulation racing games
The last category is the Mount Everest of car simulation. Here we find games designed to give the player maximum realism. Whether in terms of vehicle behavior, weather conditions, management of vehicle settings and consumables, or racing rules that respect real-world regulations.
They’re not designed to be easy to learn, but to put you virtually behind the wheel of a real racing car. Playing with a joystick is almost impossible, if you want to set the right lap times! You’ll need a steering wheel and pedals that will let you feel everything your vehicle is doing, from understeer and oversteer to suspension play, thanks to the steering wheel’s force feedback.
This category includes licenses such as Assetto Corsa, iRacing, rFactor 2, Race Room and WRC.
Assetto Corsa on all platforms (but prefer it on PC)
Assetto Corsa is the Phoenix of car simulations. The title was originally released in 2014 on PC, then in 2016 on PS4 and X Box One. And at the time, it already represented the very best in terms of pure simulation on consoles.
So, yes, on consoles, the game has aged and I’d only recommend it on PC.
But Assetto Corsa’s strength lies in its incredible community of PC modders! These enthusiasts continue to develop mods to improve every aspect of the game. And the results are breathtaking.
Driving sensations are always at the cutting edge of the genre. The original graphics can be quickly enhanced with easy-to-install mods. There’s even a day/night cycle and real-time variable weather. In short, Assetto Corsa is still the car simulation I spend the most time on.
See also: Essential mods for Assetto Corsa
Not only do you find almost every type of vehicle, you’ll also find tracks galore. As for the quality of the force feedback, it’s very relevant. Really, if you’re a PC gamer, Assetto Corsa is the place to start. What’s more, the ultimate version is now available for less than €20. Go for it!
Assetto Corsa Competizione on PC
Assetto Corsa Competizione plunges you into the heart of GT3 and GT4 racing. All drivers, circuits and vehicles are officially licensed. Once again, this is pure simulation.
A great success that will delight GT fans, but which leaves those who like to vary the pleasures with different vehicle categories a little on the fence.
It’s regularly updated, and in terms of driving sensations, it’s a cut above Assetto Corsa 1. The game has also been released for new-generation consoles. But bear in mind that these types of simulations are designed to run on the PC. And console updates sometimes arrive several months after PC updates.
iRacing on PC
iRacing is the netflix of racing games. It’s subscription-based, and offers the vast majority of its content in micropayments. It’s not a game I’d recommend to beginners, primarily because of the budget required to get the most out of it. But let’s face it, this title is the benchmark for competitive simracing. Vehicle settings are so advanced that you’ll spend more time in the pits than on the track. That is, if you like to push the settings… And the vehicle feel is very relevant.
So it’s hardly surprising that you’ll find a good number of real drivers, such as Fernando Alonso. Many real drivers are present for the official competitions organized on iRacing.
IRacing’s biggest strength is its community. If you really want to challenge yourself and rub shoulders with the crème de la crème of simracers, this is the place to be. However, I’m warning you: if you don’t have an advanced technical level, you’ll be rowing for a few weeks! Fortunately, the game features a highly advanced driver rating system that will allow you to compete with players of equivalent or slightly higher level. But don’t get carried away, you’ll ALWAYS find someone faster than you here (and that’s how you progress).
rFactor 2 on PC
On to rFactor 2. Many consider it the ultimate simulation. Although not all drivers are so categorical, in terms of physics it’s a marvel. It features many of the same professional drivers as iRacing. Its force feedback is also one of the most accurate and accomplished at the moment. It is updated on a regular basis, adding fresh content and constant improvements to the driving experience. In short, a must-try reference if you’re a PC user.
The Virtual 24 Hours of Le Mans has been held on rF2 in recent years. But that’s set to change for the 2024 edition, with the release of Le Mans Ultimate in December 2023. Developed by Studio 397 (creator of rF2), the game will feature the same physics as its predecessor.
To see: Meet the Peugeot Sport team driving in the virtual 24h of Le Mans
Race Room Racing Experience on PC
RaceRoom is a great starting point for getting into simracing without spending a cent. Hardcore simracers love this title for its realistic driving. The game offers both free content and optional paid add-ons.
Even though a wide variety of vehicles and tracks are offered as micro-payments, the free content is more than enough to get your hands on a real simulation. It’s the perfect opportunity to find out whether pure simulation is for you or not! The icing on the cake is that you can try out the vehicles before you pay. That way, no more regretful purchases or cars gathering virtual dust.
Thanks to its many updates, Le Mans Ultimate retains a highly specialized community of drivers, making it one of the must-try titles of your simracer career.
Le Mans Ultimate
Available in Early Access since the end of February, Le Mans Ultimate (LMU) is the new simulation from Studio 397, the team behind rFactor 2. The sim focuses exclusively on the WEC endurance championship, which includes the legendary Le Mans 24 hours.
Of course, with early access, there’s still a lot of work to be done to make it a flawless experience. But it’s clear that the development team is very active and offers regular updates to improve everything that can be improved as quickly as possible. The good news is that the game is offered at a special early access price of €30, so you can enjoy a game that promises to become a benchmark for very little money.
Discover: our first impressions of Le Mans Ultimate
EA WRC on all platforms
Since the release of Dirt 2.0 in 2019, it has to be said that Rally fans have had to eat their words. No title had come along to titillate the simu side of gritty terrain. So, if you wanted an advanced experience, you had to fall back on either Dirt 2.0 or RBR (Richard Burns Rally, a legendary dinosaur at this stage).
But that’s all changed with the return of the WRC license from EA Sports! They’ve come up with a truly demanding and interesting title in every respect. The special stages are much longer than before, for greater realism, and there are a ton of vehicles, both modern and from the discipline’s glorious past. And the appearance of the Regularity mode, which from the outside looks very simple, but which will put your driving skills to the test.
I mentioned it briefly a few lines ago, but another title should please you if you’re looking for vehicle behavior as close to the real thing as possible: Richard Burns Rally! A game that almost 20 years after its release is STILL among the absolute benchmarks.
Never forget that these are just video games!
We’ve seen a lot of titles. And within the simracing community, there’s often a tug-of-war over which sim is the most realistic. Everyone has their own opinion on the subject, but to get to the bottom of it, I decided to put the question to all the REAL pilots I’ve come across over the years.
Do you want to know what they ALL answered without exception? Here are the answers from 3 riders, 1 simracer and 1 engineer:
And if you’d like more interviews with drivers and simracers, and to find out about our equipment tests, don’t forget to subscribe to the channel 🙂
The best car simulation: time for the verdict!
MY verdict, on PC: after testing all the racing simulations on the market, my preference remains for Assetto Corsa I. Assetto Corsa is one of the best racing simulations on the market. Assetto Corsa is one of the big names in simracing. The game offers a wide variety of events, vehicles and circuits. The possibilities for improvement offered by its community of modders would make any development studio swoon! Even today, it remains an absolute reference if you want a simulation that’s both complete and fun.
But my final opinion… Who cares?! The real best car simulation is the one that will make YOU want to plunge into the heart of the simracing universe. The one that will make YOU thrill and have maximum fun.
As you learn, you’ll want to try more and more. You’ll want to push your skills and times even further to become a true simracer. If that means getting to grips with sim-arcades, then great! As long as you enjoy driving, you’ll naturally tend to move more and more towards pure simulation over time.
So I look forward to seeing you in the comments so we can discuss your preferences. In good humor and tolerance, please… People have the right to like other games than you do 😉
See you soon 🙂
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