We all love racing games with career modes. It helps us immerse ourselves in a world and helps test our wits and senses in order to become the best. That’s why there are 10 racing games with career modes that are considered to be the most realistic and enjoyable.
10 . NFS Shift 2: Unleashed (PC/PS3/Xbox 360)
It might be a shock seeing an NFS game here but believe it or not, Shift 2 is really enjoyable if you’re just entering the competitive racing scene and want to have fun. It features many real-life championships for players to participate in including the FIA GT3 and GT1 championships. It has around 140 cars and provides much better crash physics and gameplay than most in the series. The championships are fun to play with although the gameplay itself is not that realistic compared to others in this list.
9 . WRC 10(PC/PS4/PS5/Xbox One/Xbox Series X|S)
Sure, Codemasters’ Dirt series is a much more polished offroad game, but the official WRC 10 is no slouch either and it has become a strong rival. WRC 10 is much more focused and linear in terms of gameplay which is attractive. The game is not as hardcore as the Dirt game but it’s just fun to play and more forgiving than the Dirt series. The cars handle much nicer when you’re in a tight spot and the graphics are just overwhelmingly good. The new historic rallies are a fun addition where you can travel back through time and take part in these legendary events. As seen with previous titles, the game’s career mode takes place within the World Rally Championship where you will fight to be the best.
8 . Dirt 5(PC/PS4/PS5/Xbox One/Xbox Series X|S)
Dirt 5 is completely different from its mainline predecessors as it is much more arcade-focused. But that is where it excels. You can make it as easy or as brutal as you want. The fun factor never stops here with amazing modes like rallycross, truck racing, and even ice racing! The tension and atmosphere are electric in this game. The career mode is definitely a banger with the customization and veteran voice actors, Nolan North and Troy Baker giving great voice performances. For a career mode, it features a more rallycross-Esque route with rally raids and other similar races gaining the spotlight. But don’t be fooled, this is immensely fun to play.
7 . Forza Horizon 5 (PC/Xbox One/Xbox Series X|S)
Forza Horizon 5 is something else and is it would be considered a beast considering how big and unique it is. The career mode is astonishingly fun and takes you in the midst of the action from the start. Progress your way through time trials, point to point and lap races and unlock a variety of new cars. Not only that, you even get a new home in the game. Do some races and other events to progress through or just simply enjoy the stunning view of the Mexican countryside.
6 . Dirt Rally 2.0(PC/PS4/PS5/Xbox One/Xbox Series X|S)
Dirt Rally 2.0 is the sequel to Dirt Rally released by Codemasters in 2019. The Dirt Rally series is basically a spin-off of the Dirt series as the main Dirt series gives much more of an arcade-focused experience while the Dirt Rally series, gives a much more simulation and realistic feel. It looks extremely gorgeous on all platforms. Like with all Dirt games, there are different rally stages set around the world and you have a variety of classic and modern machines to choose from. You can play the rallycross mode plus have access to various classic rally cars via a neatly designed progression system that has a great learning curve.
5 . Assetto Corsa Competizione (PC/PS4/PS5/Xbox One/Xbox Series X|S)
Assetto Corsa Competizione is a spinoff to Assetto Corsa and focuses on the Blancpain GT series solely. The game features content from the 2018 and 2019 seasons of the Blancpain GT series, including all cars, drivers, and circuits. It features only GT3 and GT4 cars for now. It also includes an improved physics engine that provides more realistic handling for all vehicles. It has several other new features which were not that much prevalent in the original Assetto Corsa such as better customizable weather conditions, a more detailed damage system, and improved AI behavior. The career mode is basically a rendition of the Blancpain GT series so you’ll face the truest to date GT racing career mode.
4 . Iracing(PC)
If you have a big budget to fund your sim racing career, then iRacing is the game to choose. And that’s specifically why it is ranked lower than the games. It has a subscription service starting from 13$ a month. Honestly, if you can afford it iRacing can sharpen and enhance your skills as a driver with its realistic physics and gameplay. The player progression is very neat and will make you a better driver and even help you start a career as a pro sim racer. If you're on a strict budget, it is suggested that you start a specific series or championship and make your way through them. The better your get in them, the better shot you have to make it on to better leagues and championships.
3 . Gran Turismo 7 (PS4/PS5)
The recently released GT7 has a great single-player mode that all the old players had been waiting for. It captures the essence of what it means to be a driver and drive a car. You’ll earn your cars via completing menu books of various manufacturers. Not only that, you’ll learn about the cars themselves including from the original maker of the cars. Also, you’ll have to complete the brutally hard license test to get gold or play some scenarios in mission challenges. If you think they are easy, you’re in for some rude awakening.
2 . F1 2021 (PC/PS4/PS5/Xbox One/Xbox Series X|S)
F1 2021 improved upon all the aspects the career mode of F1 2020 offered. As with the previous installment, you have the traditional single-player career mode and also the My Team Career mode. In the single-player mode, as usual, you can either start your career as a Formula 2 driver and work your way up the ladder to Formula 1 or you can directly join a Formula 1 team. In My Team, you can create your own team and fight for the championship. The R&D options in this mode are way more refined than F1 2020 so you’ll definitely enjoy them. You’ll also have the option to recruit various F1 legends in My Team which is a new addition. There is also a two-player career mode where you and your friends can play as rivals or part of a team, so it brings that co-op aspect into it.
1 . Project Cars 2 (PC/PS4/Xbox One)
When it comes to emulating a fully-fledged career mode of a racing driver in a video game, Project Cars 2 is the best of them all with no competition. Slightly Mad Studios really knocked it out of the park on this one. There is literally a variety of career paths and racing disciplines you can choose. You can start from the earliest level of karting and progress your way through the categories. If you decide that instead of pursuing a Formula racing car, you want to pursue an IndyCar or even Rallycross you can do it. You can choose which team and manufacturers to stay loyal to. Loyalty to a specific manufacturer will give you the opportunity to take part in the test to become the factory driver and once you do, you’ll be invited to various invitational events. You can choose the difficulty settings and customize how long each season can be. Loads of details and customization options along with the variety of motorsport disciplines make Project Cars 2 the game with the best career mode.
Have fun playing these career modes!
