Sim Racing is one of the best genres to get into. Sure, the learning curve is steep, but the pure thrill of racing in your favorite cars on iconic tracks with realistic driving physics never gets old. However, deciding on a sim racing game is tough. With so many options available on PC, it can be hard to narrow down which game you should buy.
Every game has its own pros and cons. Some have great driving physics but lack in content, others might look great visually, but the racing experience is not realistic. This can make it hard for a newcomer to pick a game.
As someone who has played a lot of sim racing games, here is my definitive list of the best sim racing games you can play on PC.
9. EA WRC 2024
EA WRC 2024 is considered by many to be one of the best rally games out there. The game is developed by Codemasters, the people behind DiRT Rally 2.0, which is also considered a great game in the rally racing space.
It’s an officially licensed WRC game, so the game is filled with iconic cars and tracks. The game also looks visually stunning thanks to Unreal Engine. As for the driving physics, the game leans a bit more towards simcade, which can be a deal breaker for some people.
Apart from that, EA WRC 2024 is honestly one of the most polished rally games you can play. Sure, the driving is not the most realistic, but it’s still pretty accurate, and you will have a blast playing it if you like Rally racing.
8. Rennsport
Rennsport is an ongoing project and not a complete game yet. It’s in early access, and you can play it for free.
The game is built in the new Unreal Engine 5 and promises realistic driving physics, a focus on competitive esports racing, and accessible modding. As for the gameplay, the racing is fun and the physics are realistic. However, the game is still pretty barebones, so don’t expect a lot of features or content.
The game has the potential to rival some of the big names in the future, but it is currently still in beta and lacks a lot of polish. It is free-to-play, so do consider giving it a try.
7. Forza Motorsport (2023)
Forza Motorsport (2023) is the game I usually recommend to sim racing beginners. The accessibility and driving assist features really help beginners to ease into sim racing.
Firstly, the game is packed with content, with a huge library of cars. From GT3, GT2, Road cars, Formula Cars to LMP2, Hypercars, and drifting monsters, there are so many cars to choose from. The tracklist isn’t short either; you have iconic and historical tracks like Le Mans, Silverstone, Spa, Daytona, Laguna Seca, and many more.
As for the driving physics, they are great. You can feel the balance of the car, the loss of traction in corners, and much more. Sure, it’s not as realistic as hardcore simulators like iRacing and Assetto Corsa Competizione, but it’s still quite good.
6. F1 25
F1 25 is a Codemasters officially licensed Formula 1 game by EA. This means you can expect all the content you’d see in actual F1. This includes all the tracks in the calendar and all the drivers.
If you are an F1 fan, you will love playing this game. The Career, My Team, and Braking Point modes make it great for single-player. But you can also join multiplayer races with other players and race on F1’s popular tracks.
The game also offers a variety of driving assists for casual players, but if you want a more immersive F1 racing experience, you can turn them off. Overall, F1 25 offers a very realistic F1 experience, which the F1 fans will appreciate.
5. Automobilista 2
Automobilista 2, or AMS2, is called the “variety king” of sim racing. Where other games focus on a category of cars or one type of racing, AMS2 offers you everything.
From karting, formula cars, to GTs and Hypercars, there is a wide roster of cars to choose from. As well as a large library of tracks to race on. In terms of content, this game has a lot for you to play with.
The game is built on Madness Engine (Ex Project Cars 2 tech) and offers realistic driving physics. The game also receives frequent physics updates, which further enhance the racing experience. Then, there is the VR support. AMS2 looks stunning in VR compared to its competitors. So, if that’s what you are looking for, AMS2 is worth trying.
Overall, the most fun sandbox sim. If you like experimenting with different cars/tracks and racing in VR, AMS2 delivers.
4. Assetto Corsa
Assetto Corsa is considered by many to be the ultimate driving simulator. But it’s just that a driving simulator, not a racing one.
The game physics are as realistic as they get, but the game lacks that competitive racing aspect. If you enjoy cruising on highways, weaving through traffic at night, and overall enjoying the driving experience the game offers, it’s perfect. Not to mention the extensive and vibrant modding community behind the game.
You can use mods to add cars, tracks, and completely change the look of the game. The modding feature is Assetto Corsa’s best asset, and it’s why the game remains one of the most popular simulators even after being a decade-old title.
3. Le Mans Ultimate
Le Mans Ultimate is FIA and WEC’s officially licensed game built for simulation racing. It’s an endurance racing sim through and through.
The game features a lot of realistic mechanics, like Track Evolution (how the road changes throughout the course of a race), and different weather conditions that affect the racing. Not to mention, the game looks stunning. I love racing Hypercars at night in this game; the experience is phenomenal.
There are still problems with the game, like the lack of a robust career mode, and the online racing still needs a bit of polish.
In short, it’s a dream sim for endurance fans — immersion unmatched, but still maturing.
2. Assetto Corsa Competizione
Now, we are getting into super realistic and hardcore sim racing. Assetto Corsa Competizione is a competitive racing-focused sequel to Assetto Corsa with a heavy focus on realistic GT Racing. It’s the official game of the SRO series, so you will be racing in cars and on laser-scanned tracks on which the series races.
It’s the best game you can get into if you like GT Racing. However, let me warn you, it is super competitive. The game is all about pure hardcore motorsport racing, so if you are looking for a casual sim racer, this might not be for you.
As for the driving physics, it’s very realistic, almost comparable to iRacing; some might say it’s even better, but that’s a debate for another day.
But it has its own cons: the game is locked to GT cars (no variety like AMS2), and a learning curve that can scare off casuals. Overall, it’s hands down the best GT racing sim you can get.
1. iRacing
iRacing is considered by many to be the ultimate sim racing game. In fact, the game has become a benchmark to compare other games with. iRacing is a hardcore and proper simulator through and through.
The driving physics are as real as it gets. You can feel everything from the balance of the car, the loss of traction in corners, how tire temperature affects grip, how the car loses balance on curbs, to engine braking on downshifts; it’s the most realistic game out there when it comes to pure driving.
The game also has a robust competitive system. New players start in the Rookie class, and they level up to the other classes by increasing their SR or Safety Rating. The racing is so competitive that actual motorsport drivers often compete in events in iRacing. The four-time F1 champion Max Verstappen is a frequent iRacing player and often competes in events.
But the biggest issue with the game is its pricing model. iRacing has a subscription model where you have to keep paying to play the game. You also have to separately buy tracks and cars that you want. This makes it a very expensive game to get into for new players.
