Best VR Racing Game
For fans of GT racing, Gran Turismo Sport delivers stunning graphics and insane attention to detail. It’s not a full-on simulation though and suffers from some motion sickness issues.
iRacing is the go-to VR sim for motorsports fans but it’s not cheap. If you can afford the subscription, vr racing simulator it delivers a huge variety of cars and tracks with super realistic physics.
1. Assetto Corsa
Powered by Unreal Engine 4 Assetto Corsa brings real-world racing and simulation to VR. This game has a lot of content to work through with stunning locations, courses and cars to drive. The realism on offer here is second to none, with tyre grip, aerodynamic impact, engine parameters and suspensions all impacting your car’s balance, not to mention mechanical damage that can wreck your drivability.
This is a game that demands a beefy PC to push its high-resolution graphics but those with the necessary setup will be rewarded with a class-leading driving experience. Whether it’s squinting through the sun-smeared windscreen of your Z4 GT at Magione and picking out entry, apex and exit points or pawing an Elise this way and that around the swerves of Spa – there’s nothing quite like the feeling of nailing a lap on a challenging track in Assetto Corsa.
Unlike some of the other big VR racing games which can come with a steep learning curve, Assetto Corsa and its newer competitor Assetto Corsa Competizione are both easy to get into. With a huge amount of content to work through, an active modding scene and plenty of online shenanigans there’s a lot here for motorsport fans to sink their teeth into.
2. Automobilista 2
Automobilista 2 is a hidden gem for fans of immersive VR racing, delivering a full selection of cars and tracks that can be explored with a sense of place. While it may not offer the same level of realism as the likes of iRacing or Assetto Corsa Competizione, its force feedback and realistic commentary are impressive. Furthermore, its Brazilian focus makes it a treasure trove for racing fans who are looking to explore circuits and car categories that are not often found in other games.
The game also features an advanced dynamic track condition system that is used to simulate real-world weather conditions. This creates a more challenging experience for drivers, requiring them to adapt their driving style to different weather conditions. Automobilista 2 also features a wide range of racing styles, from truck races to endurance racing and even a 24-hour race. Moreover, the game supports high-end PCs, allowing players to maximize their graphical quality and performance.
However, a lamentable truth is that, despite its impressive graphical quality and diverse content, the online multiplayer component of the game remains underdeveloped. In a world where gaming is increasingly becoming a competitive sport, neglecting a multiplayer component can be detrimental to the game’s long-term popularity. It is therefore important for the developer to make improvements to the online gameplay of Automobilista 2. Otherwise, it will continue to struggle to attract and keep a community of sim racing fans.
3. Dirt Rally 2.0
After a detour with the procedural-focused and arcadey Dirt 4, Codemasters’ spin-off series is back on track with a ruthlessly realistic off-road racing game that reclaims its position as a premier simulator. Dirt Rally 2.0 delivers the gritty off-road simulation experience that hard-boiled rally enthusiasts love and casual players will be intimidated by, with real-world car physics and true-to-life systems to master.
With Dirt Rally 2.0, Codemasters has refined and improved on its first entry while delivering a truly compelling driving experience in VR. The cars feel like they’re coming alive and the tracks are stunningly detailed. Whether it’s slipping around the curves of a snaking mountain trail in Argentina or blitzing through autumnal forests in the USA, each stage feels wonderfully distinct. And, thanks to the addition of surface degradation, each stage is a different beast: the more you are down the running order, the more rutted and churned up your track will be, affecting how you approach each corner and how much grip you have in certain surfaces.
Dirt Rally 2.0 also features a career mode that’s a little more involved than the previous title, with staff to hire and upgrades for your cars to unlock. It’s not quite as Virtual Pachinko deep as the career modes in Codemasters’ F1 games, but it gets the job done and offers a serious challenge to hard-boiled motorsport fans.
4. Dash Dash World
Dash Dash World is one of those rare games that manages to make the kart racing genre thrive in virtual reality. Starting its life as an early access title, the devs have had plenty of time to perfect the shooting and driving mechanics and they’ve delivered an engaging experience that has plenty to offer racing fans of all stripes.
The game is set across a variety of stylised circuits that are strewn with unique obstacles and power-ups. Each track also offers a few interactive features that add some extra fun. Whether it’s a giant samurai slicing his way through the track or a dinosaur trying to eat passing cars, there’s always something going on that keeps things fresh and interesting.
There’s a huge amount of content to keep you entertained, including an intriguing story mode, regular online tournaments and over a trillion different customization options. Hundreds of achievements are also on offer to keep the trophy hunters happy, while players can personalize their avatar and kart with a huge selection of parts and cosmetic rewards.
The controls are easy to get used to and offer a natural feel. Tight turns and fast tracks can be a little intense for new VR gamers, but the developer has included a wide range of comfort modes and special orientation classes to help players stay safe from motion sickness.