6 Sim Racing Games That Put You Behind the Wheel
Racing is one of the most thrilling sports to hit the speedways. There’s nothing quite like putting the pedal to the metal and feeling the G-force push against you to overtake your competitors.
Sim Racing games try to capture this feeling as realistically as possible; some of them do an excellent job. As such, here are a few titles that ought to get your blood pumping.
1. Forza Horizon 5
Forza is a popular title from Xbox Game Studios. It was made to emulate how real cars operate in different environments closely. The Forza Horizon series, in particular, was made with a realistic racing experience in mind. This series has evolved through multiple iterations, accruing an impressive list of cars.
Forza Horizon 5 is a fun, open-world racing title that allows players to race powerful machines down the streets of Mexico and Sierra Nueva. It takes things up a notch with realistic vehicle interactions and a stunning setting. Limit-pushing titles like this make Forza one ofthe most important driving games ever.
Forza Horizon 5 is especially popular in the content creation space of the Sim Racing community. The game was released in 2021 but stays fresh thanks to new additions to the roster of cars, expansion packs, and updates.
Forza Horizon 5 is offered on Xbox Game Pass and can be purchased alone on Steam.
Download: Forza Horizon 5 onSteamor theXbox Store.
2. Gran Turismo 7
Gran Turismo is a PlayStation-exclusive title that encapsulates the excitement and nuances of racing. Players can choose from over 400 cars, tune them to their liking and get in the driver’s seat down iconic roadways worldwide.
GT 7 delivers the same excitement as its predecessors but with next-generation graphics. It provides a realistic driving feel paired with excellent music and scenery that will make you feel like you’re actually behind the wheel. Players can also elevate their experiencewith the right Sim Racing wheel.
The game caters to fans that wish to fully experience the game environment by offering missions that force you to explore. GT 7 also facilitates some competition with a steady stream of online events that ignite a fire in the community.
With such dedicated backing, it is easy to understand whyplaying Gran Turismo is now an Olympic event.
Download: Gran Turismo 7 on thePlaystation Store.
3. iRacing
iRacing is a membership-based racing simulator that offers over 100 different cars to choose from. It is a very e-sports-centric franchise with multiple events running simultaneously. The game has existed in some form since 2008.
In particular, iRacing is an excellent choice for NASCAR enthusiasts. The platform hosts a lot of NASCAR events and encourages members to participate.
iRacing membership can be as short as one month and as long as two years. Membership has several perks, like 19 cars for players to get their hands on immediately and 24 tracks to try out. However, more cars and tracks require an extra fee. In addition, players can purchase racing rigs, computers tailored to play the game, and outfits on the website.
While this game provides an immersive experience for players, it is on the pricier side. This is mainly attributed to the perks that come with an iRacing membership.
This platform is a great choice for veteran sim racers. Additionally, iRacing is officially partnered with familiar names in the automobile industry like Mazda, Toyota, Mclaren, Volkswagen, and BMW.
Download: iRacing on theiRacing official Store.
We can’t create a comprehensive list without discussing Formula One (F1). F1 is regarded as the holy grail of racing events and is enjoyed worldwide. The F1 games are licensed to Electronic Arts as part of their roaster of sports games that release annually.
EA Sports games typically reflect what has happened in a year of sports. As such, Sim Racing enthusiasts can trust the F1 title to reflect the performance of different racing brands and drivers accurately.
F1 22 was released on the 28th of June 2022, with a thrilling story mode and online play experience. The gameplay is designed to reflect what happens in a typical Formula 1 race realistically. As such, the tires wear down, and players must properly time pit crew visits to secure a victory.
F1 also offers a split-screen game mode, so players can face off against their friends in real time.
Download: F1 2022 onSteam, theXbox Store, or thePlayStation Store.
5. Assetto Corsa Competizione
Assetto Corsa is the cream of the crop in the competitive Sim Racing world. The game dropped in 2019 and is still making waves in the scene. Assetto Corsa offers the most realistic GT racing experience, mirroring how weather conditions affect a typical race almost one-to-one.
The game has stunning visuals and immersive graphic settings that make you feel like you are battling the steering wheel. You can enjoy it with a controller or a keyboard. However, you shouldset up a steering wheel for Assetto Corsa on PCfor the most realistic experience.
Italian game developer, Kunos Simulazioni, also put time into the audio development for this game. It helps to play with headphones for crisp audio feedback, from the sound of your engine to tires against the asphalt.
The game offers a free-play mode, so players can explore the world and experience the stunning in-game environment. It also has a career mode and championship events for the best race day experience.
Assetto Corsa allows you to pilot your favorite cars for a fraction of the cost. It is also available on most gaming platforms, including PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. The base game is also the most affordable on this list, making it much easier for eager Sim Racing fans to give it a shot.
Download: Assetto Corsa Competizione onSteam, theXbox Store, or thePlayStation Store.
6. Dirt Rally 2.0
Not all driving happens on the carefully constructed asphalt of a roadway. Some racers prefer to take their driving off-road. Fortunately, there is an amazing Sim Racer that delivers the excitement of zipping through the woods or down a rough hill in full HD.
Dirt Rally 2.0 is another project from Codemasters, the team of developers responsible for the F1 franchise. The game perfectly captures the Rally experience with amazing down-hill maps, off-road runs, and challenging turns.
Rally racing takes the thrill of speed to a new level with an added sense of danger. The smallest mistake could cost you, and this comes through perfectly in Dirt Rally 2.0. The game offers a realistic driving experience and can be very challenging initially. But Sim Racers love a great challenge, and the game has very positive reviews.
Download: Dirt Rally 2.0 onSteam, theXbox Store, or thePlayStation Store.
Put the Pedal to the Metal
The Sim Racing genre is perfect for gamers and racing fanatics alike. It captures the thrill of being behind the wheel with no risks.
The six featured titles offer different player experiences, which ultimately boils down to what you seek in a Sim Racer. But you can be confident that each one perfectly depicts the excitement of leaving your competition in the dust.
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