Assetto Corsa

The most realistic racer ever made. Yes, including GT.

- Justin Towell

No racing game has it all. Project CARS has the best weather system. Driveclub has the best online integration. Burnout Paradise has the best damage. Assetto Corsa? The best handling. This is absolutely the best-feeling racing sim we’ve ever played. Get behind a force feedback wheel and pedals and you may as well have a supercar parked in your living room. It’s phenomenal.

Its physics engine was previously sold as professional simulation technology to car manufacturers, and Assetto Corsa has been built around that tech. However, pro sims are designed to be realistic, not fun, and that industrial origin does rear its head in-game. If you use a DualShock 4 and approach it like any other racing game, you’re likely to be underwhelmed.

Compared with other racers, it’s almost a demo. There’s no wet weather or night racing. The visuals are okay, but lag behind Driveclub. There’s crash damage, but it’s limited to dents, scrapes, and cracked glass instead of carbon fibre breaking off. At least the optional ‘mechanical damage’ affects your handling realistically.

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