There are a huge number of great racing games on the market right now. In many cases, however, to get the most out of these games, you need to get a hold of an expensive wheel and pedal setup. This can be prohibitive for a lot of gamers because, not only do you need the rig in the first place, you also need a suitable desk to attach it to. The costs involved can therefore start to add up. For the more casual gamers out there who fancy a taste of the action, there’s still plenty of games that play well on their gamepad. This list will focus on games which don’t punish you for not having access to a force feedback wheel. The games on this list have forgiving driving mechanics which focus on fun rather than accurate simulation.
5 GTA V
GTA V Gameplay.
A game that has never stopped being relevant since its release in 2013. GTA is still loads of fun to play. It is especially good for gamepad as it has an extremely forgiving driving model. GTA V decided to switch things up after GTA IV’s more realistic and weighty driving model divided opinion.
While GTA V’s driving model has perhaps gone a bit too far in the other direction, you would struggle to find anyone who doesn’t enjoy it. Some of the most fun you can have in GTA V are the custom maps which contain stuff like huge jumps, loop de loops and boost pads. GTA V’s forgiving driving model is perfect for this sort of thing.
The ability to adjust your car’s position mid air doesn’t really make any sense, but landing a jump perfectly using that mechanic is just so satisfying. If something’s fun, why not allow it?
4 Wreckfest
Wreckfest gameplay.
Wreckfest is centred around its state-of-the-art damage model. While perhaps not quite up to the standard of Beam’s damage model, Wreckfest’s consistent demolition derby aesthetic makes the game feel like much more of a complete package. Beam can feel like a bit of a flea market at times.
Wreckfest also has loads of tracks designed with destruction in mind. You’ll feel a genuine hit of adrenaline as you pace it past a crossroads, hoping against hope that you won’t get T-boned. The performance of your car is realistically affected by any damage too, so there’s a real sense of risk vs reward when it comes to trying to take out other racers, or other such risky manoeuvres.
3 Rocket League
Rocket League gameplay.
Quickly turning into a modern classic, Rocket League is a fantastic pick for both the casual, and racing gamers who fancy a change of pace. If you’re looking for something quick and easy to pick up and play with a controller, Rocket League is the game for you.
Nothing out there matches it in terms of fast paced, end to end action. FIFA maybe, but then again, in Rocket League everyone is in a car which makes pretty much every sport way better.
The aim of Rocket League is to get the ball into the opponent’s goal. And that’s pretty much it. Part of the game’s beauty is that it’s so self-explanatory that pretty much anyone can pick up and play.
2 BeamNG.drive
BeamNG.drive gameplay.
BeamNG does not have the most forgiving of driving models. However, you won’t care seeing as crashing in the game is so much fun. It’s probably the best part, the game having begun life as a soft body car crash physics tech demo on the CryEngine.
The soft body physics also work on things like suspension too though, giving the game an uncannily realistic feel. The bulk of the driving mechanics didn’t used to be on par with its competitors, but there was a big update to the driving model recently which means it can actually make a pretty decent case for itself.
The model really excels when it comes to off-roading. Clambering up the side of a mountain in a jeep while struggling to find the right power distribution is like a whole new genre in itself, and it really caters to the game’s life like suspension physics model. You’ll also have a lot of fun when you make a mess of an incline, tumble down the face of a mountain, and watch as your car transforms into a ball of crumpled aluminium.
1 Forza Horizon 4
Forza Horizon 4 gameplay.
Forza Horizon 4 is a great fit for the gamepad as it has a scalable driving model. At one end of the scale you can choose to have a fully assisted, arcade driving experience. This is great for the more casual gamer who is making use of a gamepad. If you ever do decide to make the upgrade to a wheel, the option is always there to go full simulation too!
The game itself, having come out in 2018, is still going strong. Its condensed representation of Britain is extremely pleasing to the eye to the point that sightseeing is a fun activity in itself. It also has a great mixture of cars and events which take place both on and off road.
Add to this the multiplayer open world,reminiscent of the system pioneered by Test Drive Unlimited, and this game will give you some serious mileage.
