There are a lot of racing games that have been released in recent years. All of them capture the essence of the art in many ways but fail to capture the realism of it. The feeling of driving a car is like no other and the more the game makes us feel like it's real life, the better. So, here are 10 games that are realistic in the best possible way.
10 . MotoGP 21 (PC/PS4/PS5/Xbox One/Xbox Series X|S)
Moto GP 21 is a major improvement from its predecessors. The game has much better graphics and the overall handling of the bikes has significantly improved. The movement of the player model while maneuvering the bikes has smoothened and the physics has taken a huge increase in realism. This game also has adjusted its difficulty setting, so if you want a challenging experience, then oh boy, this game can make it really hard for you to even complete a few laps. The career mode although not that eye-catching is enjoyable if you want the full Moto GP experience.
9 . rFactor 2 (PC)
rFactor 2 has been critically acclaimed by sim racing fans and drivers particularly due to its realistic physics and gameplay. The car and circuit models are accurate to their real-life counterparts and provide a genuine experience. In the online mode, you can join public events. Other than that, you can join a league and play your way through the ranks. Most players prefer joining a league as it is much more enjoyable. It's not as immersive as the others in this list, but how the game handles the cars, and their performance is much superior to the others.
8 . Dirt Rally 2.0 (PC/PS4/PS5/Xbox One/Xbox Series X|S)
If you’re looking for a real challenge, try out offroad racing. Dirt 2.0 is the best in the business and will have you rage quit every time you fail to set a good time on a stage. The handling and throttling are precise in this game and when you fail, you fail. But after you try again and again and that perfect lap shows up, that is when the good feels hit. The cars feel nimble and over the edge all at the same time, so precision is necessary. The sense of speed is definitely the best of all rally games. The game is best played with a wheel as it gives much better feedback so grab one before buying the game!
7 . Forza Horizon 5 (PC/Xbox One/ Xbox Series X|S)
Forza Horizon 5 might be arcadey in gameplay and the overall experience. But the car physics and handline are no joke. The game offers a unique experience like no other and it shows. Graphically it is stunning as the weather conditions constantly change and the photo mode makes us question whether it is real-life or fiction. The car sounds are top-notch quality along with the lighting and sounds of the beautifully designed open world. It is definitely a treat for graphics enthusiasts who also love a touch of realism in every aspect of the game experience.
6 . Gran Turismo 7 (PS4/PS5)
GT7 is where car enthusiasts and lovers and most of all, racing fans unite. It captures the essence of what it means to drive a beautiful car and nail the perfect lap. The weather effects at all tracks are literally detailed based on their real-life counterparts. The handling, the racing, the cruising, and the physics is so smooth and perfect that you’ll fall in love with this game at first sight. The interiors of the cars are detailed to the brim and you’ll even notice that no two areas are alike. The Scapes mode in this game takes full photo-realistic images that make people question whether it is from a game or real life.
5 . Project CARS 2 (PC/PS4/Xbox One)
Now, look you have your Forzas and Gran Turismos, but there is always that third one that always goes unnoticed. In this regard, it's Project Cars 2. When it got released, it fared better than GT Sport and Forza Motorsport 7, believe it or not. The game had everything from, different kinds of cars to all the essential tracks. When it comes to realism, it's basically the best budget option if you can’t afford iRacing or Assetto Corsa. The game has everything you want in a proper sim, from your own race engineer to scheduled pit stops, to managing tire and brake temperatures. The physics are somewhat good, but the racing in this game is amazing and the feeling of being called by a race engineer takes realism to a whole another level.
4 . F1 2021 (PC/PS4/PS5/Xbox One/Xbox Series X|S)
F1 cars are the fastest racing cars to ever exist on the planet. If you’ve seen them on TV or been to a track, you’ve definitely had the feeling of driving one. Well, you definitely can with the new F1 game from Codemasters. The attention to detail is stunning in this game. The race suits, the steering wheels, and the tracks are precisely detailed. The graphics and physics are close to real life and you’ll feel like you’re watching an actual onboard of driving where, in fact, you’re the driver! It is a must-play if you want to actually feel how is it’s like behind an F1 car. While the crash details aren’t that realistic, it is definitely enough to warrant a try for everything else it offers.
3 . Assetto Corsa Competizione (PC/PS4/PS5/Xbox One/Xbox Series X|S)
AC Competizione is not for the faint-hearted. It takes trial and error to a whole new level. Everything is tight and I mean, tighter than ever in any racing game. This solely focuses on GT3 and GT4 cars which are the most challenging racing cars to control and master. The AI will demolish you if given the chance so take it easy with this game if you pick it up. There’s a steep learning curve and when you master it then nothing’s stopping you. It offers a pure racing experience that only a handful of games deliver. The engine is an updated version of the original AC so it will definitely give you a realistic feel. GT cars are snappy and difficult to control just like in real life so you definitely have to tune them perfectly to see where you stand.
2 . Iracing (PC)
If you have a big budget to fund your sim racing career, then iRacing is the game to choose and that’s also why it is last on the list. The budget mentioned comes up as it requires a subscription to the game starting at $13 a month. Bummer, I know, but this is a highly competitive game and has a serious learning curve. If you’re willing to invest, then this can make you a better racer and a better driver. The physics and graphics get better with the new updates which will keep you hooked. There aren’t many visual customization options here, but tuning your car to perfection is one of the main goals.
1 . Assetto Corsa (PC/PS4 /Xbox One)
Assetto Corsa is sometimes considered as a sim racers’ paradise. The driving physics in this game is considered to be the best in its genre. A few come close but no other sim has been able to replicate it. Tyre pressures, brake temperatures, and many more play a key role in setting up your car for a specific track. You can’t just go out and drive a car on a track because the game is so brutal newcomers. The learning curve is steady and worth putting time into. Other than that, the modding community has made the game look like a recently released one with a bunch of graphics, environment, tracks, and car mods. This is the game the true racers always come back to.
With these games, you’ll always have the feeling that you’re driving the car in real life and they make sure the immersion never ends. Good Luck!
