If you’re wondering which of the year’s titles are going to have you burning rubber on the tracks as you let loose and push your engines to their limit, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a list of a few great racing titles that are confirmed, and a few more that might just make an appearance in 2026 and beyond.

1. Forza Horizon 6

The good news is that this one is confirmed for a 2026 release. The bad news is that Playground Games has yet to give us a precise release date for a very ambitious fourteenth addition to the Forza franchise. It takes the action to Tokyo this time around, with some of the city’s iconic locations making an appearance alongside a respectful take on Japanese racing culture being promised.

With Tokyo City shaping up to be the “most complex and intricate drivable space” in the franchise and its largest map ever, this one’s definitely one to watch out for this year.

2. RIDE 6

Milestone Games is all-set to bring adrenaline on two wheels to your gaming systems in February this year, with over 340 different motorcycles for you to climb onto in a game that’s welcoming to both newcomers and veterans. Its Arcade and Pro modes are great ways to take on a Career Mode that’s looking really good.

And speaking of good looks, the visuals on this one are quite impressive, and we can’t wait to see if hitting the circuits on offer feels as real and as good as the real thing.

3. Screamer

This arcade racer is futuristic, fascinating, and just plain old fun from the little snippets of it we’ve been checking out. With a unique control scheme in which you steer with your left stick and drift with your right, coupled with an anime vibe that’s sure to catch your eye, Screamer takes the best of its past iterations and brings them to an experience that’s poised to take the franchise to the future.

There’s also speed boosts on accurate gear shifts, and even Shields and abilities that let you take other racers out of the equation entirely. We’re already drooling at the thought!

4. Gear.Club Unlimited 3 (Switch 2)

With a global fleet of over 40 fully customizable cars, and a Highway Rush mode alongside a story mode that takes you across France and Japan, the Switch 2 debut of this one is sure to give you and your buddies a solid reason to get together for more than a few game nights.

As a timed exclusive on the Switch 2, this one is sure to find a few takers when it releases later this year and eventually makes its way to other platforms later down the line.

5. Tokyo Xtreme Racer (PS5)

We were quite impressed with Genki’s revival of this classic arcade-style racer when it was released for the PC last year. It brought great visual and audio design to an experience that was both fresh and familiar, thanks to its faithful recreation of what put Tokyo Xtreme Racer on the map in the first place.

And now you get to weave in and out of traffic on the PS5, the Shuto Expressway being the stage for some very nerve-wracking racing action that rewards speed and reflexes in a way that makes this one a very satisfying racer.

6. Star Wars: Galactic Racer

If racing around in fancy vehicles in a galaxy that’s both immediately recognizable and yet far, far, away sounds like your thing, this arcade racer is sure to have caught your attention when it was announced at TGS 2025.

With different vehicle classes that vary in terms of their physics, a single-player campaign and multiplayer options, this is definitely a racer you want to try for yourself when it comes out later this year.

7. LANESPLIT

If you’re looking for a plug-and-play experience in which you just hop on your bike and speed away as you weave between vehicles in traffic, this one’s for you. Sure, it may not be the most polished one on this list, but it more than makes up for that with its simplicity.

While the early access demo didn’t have too much of a roster of bikes for us to choose from, the full release, due later this year, comes with a respectable amount of options to use in its no-frills gameplay loop.

8. Super Woden: Rally Edge

Solid driving mechanics, an excellent career mode, class-specific events, head-to-head races, and so much more make this one of 2026’s most well-rounded racing simulators. There’s even an option for four players to play on a split-screen if you buy it as a way to bring the gang together for some racing fun.

There are a lot of cars and stages for you to choose from, and as far as racing games go, this one is sure to bring you many hours of fun if you give it a shot. While there is room for minor improvements, this one is good enough to make you overlook them, thanks to how well-implemented it is and how engaging it is to play.

9. Assetto Corsa EVO 1.0

This one managed to grab quite a few eyeballs when it dropped on early access in 2025, and with the full release poised to bring a lot of excellent additions to the table, we’re definitely excited to see how it shapes up.

With several game modes, a good selection of cars and tracks, and some excellent physics making each race feel as authentic as it can be, this is a title that purists are going to enjoy to the fullest.

10. Carmageddon: Rogue Shift

Carmageddon is making a return this year, and how! You’re driving around in a literal dystopia, with a zombie apocalypse well underway in this arcade-racing roguelite.

With dynamically adjusting difficulties across procedurally generated stages, a bunch of cars, weapon types, and so much more to discover, this is a fun-filled rampage that’s sure to bring some fond memories of the titles that came before it.

11. Wreckfest 2 1.0

With a revamped visual flavor courtesy of the ROMU Engine and a gameplay loop that’s every bit as destructive as fans of the first title would remember, Wreckfest 2 is going to be one hell of a destructive derby racer when it launches sometime in the near future.

The destruction is all there, as are a lot of options to have some fun behind the wheel of a newly customizable car. This one is sure to have you grinning from ear to ear as you let your intrusive thoughts take the wheel.

12. Endurance Motorsport Series

Realistic driving physics coupled with faithful recreations of tracks from all over the world make this one a simulator worth looking into. Adding more flavor to the mix is the fact that it isn’t just your driving that counts in this one, but in the way you and your team adapt to varying conditions out on the track.

Expect to make some fast decisions while you’re trying to get out ahead of your competition, and for an experience that could be as close to the real thing as it can get.

13. F1 2025 Paid Expansion

There won’t be an F1 26 this year, but F1 25 is getting a paid expansion that’s poised to add a ton of new content to the game while switching up its rules and systems to better align with this year’s Formula One season.

That’s great news made even better by the knowledge that the developers now have more time to focus on what’s shaping up to be a very ambitious title being lined up for the franchise in 2027!

14. Akina

If you can’t seem to let go of your Tokyo Drift obsession, this arcade racer set in the Japanese mountains and countryside is going to catch your fancy. Set for release later this year, this one takes you back to an age of Japanese racing that many enthusiasts look back on quite fondly.

With a world that’s charmingly crafted, and the scope for some sharp turns on the cards, Akina might just be the one to beat if drifting is your thing.

15. CarX Drift Racing Online 2

If you’re thinking about taking a more professional approach to drifting, this one might be the perfect choice for you. Realistic physics coupled with gameplay systems that are tuned to mimic competition rules in the real world, along with single and multiplayer modes for you to take on, make this one a viable alternative to Akina and a more serious contender for the genre’s best titles.

Building on its predecessor’s best features while bringing excellent changes of its own, this one has us eager to try it out when it drops in the first quarter of 2026.

And that’s a wrap on all of the racing titles we’re quite excited to try out in 2026 and beyond! We hope to see you on the track.

The teaser sees the player finishing up on a track and hanging around to wait for more data before suddenly zooming out to reveal the massive complex. Cut to other notable areas in Nürburgring, including a castle on a hill, wind turbines amid a dense forest, and the gorgeously lit nighttime streets in the city. There are even NPCs roaming around, going about their business, and even some wildlife out in the fields.

Given the size of the studio and its resources, the scale is quite impressive. It ends with the player driving through the world at high speed, and suddenly, we’re worried about everyone else unfortunate enough to cross their path.

Whether you fancy a quick drive or something more relaxing, Kunos Simulazioni promises the “most accurate representation” of the region, where “every road is designed to make every kind of car feel perfectly at home.” Of course, there’s currently no concrete release window for the mode, so stay tuned for further announcements in the coming months.

Assetto Corsa EVO is available for PC via Steam Early Access. Despite a problematic launch, it picked up within the first month – check out our review for more details. Subsequent updates would add Open Mode, Career Mode and modding tools alongside new cars, tracks, and improvements to audio, drivetrain physics, and more.

Along with this, the update has brought in loads of new content in the form of 10 new cars and their different variants, 5 new tracks with multiple layouts, as well as general gameplay refinements to a host of different aspects of the title. These include updates to tyre and drivetrain physics, improved audio, an updated UI and HUD, and improvements to the game’s visuals. For a full list of changes, check out the patch notes below.

Assetto Corsa EVO was released in Early Access on PC back in January this year. For more details about the title, check out our review of its state in launch. Since then, the studio has also confirmed that future updates will bring even more content to the title, including a full-fledged career mode, an open mode, and modding support.

Assetto Corsa EVO Update 0.4 patch notes:

New Cars:

• BMW M8 Competition Coupe (F92)
• BMW M3 CSL (E46)
• Ferrari Daytona SP3
• Ferrari F40 LM
• Ferrari SF-25
• Peugeot 205 T16
• Renault 5 GT Turbo
• Toyota Supra Turbo RZ (MK IV) + tuned variant
• Mini Cooper S (MK VI) + tuned variant
• Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS

New Tracks:

• Autodromo Nazionale di Monza
• Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta
• Nordschleife – 3 layouts (including Touristenfahrten)
• Nürburgring GP – 2 layouts
• Oulton Park – 2 layouts

Multiplayer:

• support for chat widget and server commands
• additions and fixes in MP functions (autorestart, BOP, server list filter)
• fixed servers ending up in zombie state after long-term idling
• large number of fixes and additions to support the Daily Racing portal

Graphics:

• carpaint material revision across the board
• improved post-processing
• fix for dash display texture colour space errors
• fix for certain material types
• reduced menu thumbnails memory footprint
• Mazda MX5 Cup visual updates to properly represent ND1 and ND2 variants
• Porsche GT4 Clubsport MR minor visual updates
• Lamborghini Huracán ST EVO2 minor visual updates
• BMW M3 E30 minor visual updates
• added more OEM accessories for the Honda S2000
• updated dash displays for the Audi RS 3 and RS 6 and Lamborghini Huracán STO
• fixed steering wheel visibility in external driving cams
• improved tyre shading: sheen layer that fades off after a couple of corners, improved tyre wear texture
• added support for flexing and vibrating vehicle parts, such as wings, safety nets – initial implementation on racing cars
• added moving damaged parts on all content
• added visual backfires
• added unique driver assets for F1 cars, for all liveries

Audio:

• improved throttle timing and auto cutoff to enhance V-Tec kick effects
• audio: new scraping sounds and raindrop sounds (when the car is stationary)
• improved turbo hiss sound in general
• audio: turbo pitch is now related to boost and rpm
• developed new drivetrain model to improve the feeling of the simulation of the transmission wobbling
• improved management of backfires
• improved generic turbo hiss sounds, removed high pitched sounds
• new transmission soundsets management, depending on the car drivetrain scheme
• Honda NSX: improved V-Tec crossover sound with pure samples
• Honda S2000: improved quality of engine interior sound samples and new engine exterior sounds

Physics:

• developed new tire damping method increasing compliance and drivability in all situations and all cars, but race cars in particular
• adjusted tire inertia to better match each car’s individual tire dimensions helping with more realistic tire lockups and less drastic loss of traction
• improved tire slip ratio calculation leading to more natural behavior particularly on corner exits in locked differential scenarios
• adjusted grip levels for all tires: Higher baseline grip, yet less combined grip leading to more natural, controllable and rewarding car behavior
• adjusted thermal behavior for tires alongside adjusted rolling resistance
• adjusted tyre rolling resistance to achieve more realistic top speeds
• implemented new drive train wobble method respecting non linear stiffness
• adjusted tire wear across all compounds (generally, the more performance oriented a tire is, the faster tire wear will noticably impact laptime)
• sanitized and unified tire and controller library, solving potential inconsistencies in tire model across cars
• improved consistency in available compound range for early-modern cars: Removed pseudo-vintage tyres for 90s-00s models, they are now fitted with a range of modern tyres suiting their performance, vintage reserved for crossply tyres
• improved hybrid powertrains
• implemented and unified KERS/ERS behaviour
• improved Dual Clutch Transmission behavior to be more seamless
• implemented electronic brake bias (dubbed as EBB or Brake Migration)
• revision of battery features and data entry specifications
• improved physics model for cars with solid axles
• made several car systems available for in-cockpit adjustment (among others: turbo, dampers, differentials)
• Ferrari 296 GTB: numerous fixes and adjustments to suspension, drivetrain, downforce, airbrake and dedicated performance modes with more realistic ERS deployment
• implemented soft lock feature for steering wheels
• created multiple physics events to allow for more nuanced car audio
• fixed a potential crash scenario caused by collisions
• various steer ratio adjustments on a number of existing car content
• created more true-to-life vintage compound for the Alfa GTA Sprint
• various adjustments to engines, turbos, drag and downforce across cars to better match real life acceleration, top and corner speeds
• various adjustments and fixes to car default setups and differentials
• fixed F2004 rear wing not responding to changes in setup and modified setup limits for the car
• added stiffer springs for the Porsche Cayman GT4 CS MR and Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
• adjusted torque curve for the Porsche Cayman GT4 CS MR
• fixed Audi RS 6 bump stops to prevent tyre hitting and clipping through the bodywork
• fixed Dallara louvers (front fender air vents) downforce impact
• corrected Mazda MX5 Cup weight and differential
• corrected differential of the Caterham Academy
• improved various cars’ rpm limiters to behave more realistically
• corrected gear ratios for the Ferrari 296 GTB
• corrected gear ratios for the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and 1LE variant
• corrected Mazda MX5 Cup Sadev sequential gear ratios
• corrected Alpine A110 and VW Golf GTI Clubsport gear ratios
• updated operating aero and ride height ranges on the BMW M4 GT3 Evo and enabled bump stop adjustments
• updated operating aero and ride height ranges on Lamborghini ST EVO II
• updated BMW M2 CS Racing setup limits according to BMW specifications, updated spring ratios
• updated and unified all car names in setup folder
• car colliders can now be angled when necessary to represent built-in rake of cars
• reduced clutch sensitivity
• fixed unwanted vibration on torque vectoring differentials
• sanitized and updated TC & ABS behaviour on all cars: Fixed engine-crippling behaviour of earlier iterations of traction control, so higher levels might work better on some cars, and lower levels allow for more playful driving. The new Porsche Cayman GT4 RS is a good showcase.
• Likewise ABS is not as efficient as before, more modulation might be required.
• revised electronic brake controllers
• added automatic brake differential to the Porsche Cayman GT4 RS and Alpine A110
• fixed BB adjustments only taking effect after every 5th click
• fixed setup limit units missing from certain items
• improved AWD clutches on Audi RS 3 Sportback in Performance Modes 1 and 2 (Torque Rear)

Gameplay:

• some new implementations and fixes on penalty manager
• moved Imola finish line further back per GTWC sessions
• tweaked logic for automatic grid population -> now adds up to 2+2 car models from below and above the selected car’s PI instead
• large update to replay code, this will probably break compatibility with older replays but files should now take up significantly less space
• fixed electronics states in the replay
• selected tyre compounds now correctly show up in the replay
• AI: fixes to opponents swinging around wildly, potentially removing a few accident types
• AI: better braking-behind cars approximation
• AI cars should no longer get confused by pitlane or offtrack cars
• new autoshifter logic
• academy events rebalanced based on new laptimes
• fix for occasional hang/crash in the car selection menu caused by the thumbnail texture blocking the game thread
• replay now shows optional animation states (e.g. sunroofs)
• halo visibility toggle added in view settings
• added DRS zones on F1 tracks
• fixed forced pitstop not applying if you teleport before the pit exit line after a race start
• fixed reset position for various physics functions (lap estimates, ERS limits etc) on a number of tracks
• fixed a potential crash caused by out of bounds tyre compound indices
• updated AI data for the Alfa GTA, Mini and Abarth
• reworked track limit safezones
• AI cars no longer get warnings and penalties
• changing Audio FFB effects now takes effect inside the session
• new autogear logic (both player shift assist and AI upshift triggers)
• inputs for adjusting mirror pitch and yaw now functional
• race cars will now have both front and rear compounds changing at the same time via setup

UI:

• implementation of general HUD notifications
• reviewed input filtering for UI widget manipulation
• serverlist – relocated server count, added player count
• reworked client-side leaderboard
• pitlane leaderboard now displays car model name
• new car selection flow for Multiplayer: Now the player can directly click on eligible cars and join without having to visit the car selection menu. The list is flat and includes all relevant “owned”/”favourite” cars on the top marked with a star.
• a certain (large) number of server-defined cars, the old car selection page is used for ease of browsing.
• updated localization
• added missing car localization strings
• implemented track maps on the HUD and pitlane page
• chat widget implementation in Multiplayer
• implemented setup, UI and MFD items to support the new electronics systems
• reworked HUD gear widget to support new electronics systems
• expanded car controls MFD to support new electronics systems, such as ERS, EBB, differentials, dampers
• explicit indication of performance modes on the HUD gear widget with more friendly names
• odometer values for owned cars added in the model selection and SP hub
• added reset button in the manual grid mixer
• all previous cars’ VR mirror offsets revised with the new default cockpit camera positions
• unified setup units for all cars
• fixed certain setup units being defined in groups instead of per item

“With the release of EVO last January, the Assetto Corsa franchise has reached over 20 million unique users. This is a great result,” Massarutto said at the event. “These numbers are amazing. If you think that Assetto Corsa is meant to be a realistic simulation, it’s intended to be for ‘niche’ users. But it’s not a niche anymore.”

“It’s not a result of great physics, visuals, sounds, gameplay and modding. It’s a combination of all these things together. But it’s especially the result of a beautiful relationship between a developer and the sim racing community. We created a relationship based on mutual trust that helped us to do what we do. We are developers. But before that, we are sim racers.”

This announcement comes on the heels of the recent announcement of rally racing sim Assetto Corsa Rally, which is slated for release on PC on November 13. The title is going to be an Early Access release, and will include ten licensed vehicles, as well a day/night cycle, and shifting weather, all of which can have heavy impacts on the driving conditions thanks to changes in visibility and traction.

At launch, among the 10 driveable vehicles in Assetto Corsa Rally will be the Lancia Stratos Gr.4 (1976), the Fiat 131 Abarth Gr.4 (1976) and the Peugeot 208 Rally4 (2020). Along with this, the title will also feature locations like Asace and Wales with 33 kilometers of “fully laser-scanned roads.” The title has been described as making use of the same physics engine as the highly-praised one from the original Assetto Corsa.

The company has noted major plans for the game, including 30 different cars, a full-fledged career mode, and more than 120 kilometers of realistically-recreated roads.

In the meantime, the company is also continuing its work on Assetto Corsa EVO, which was released in Early Access back in January. Massarutto had also spoken about the title at SimRacing Expo 2025, noting that the studio is still working hard to make sure that fans of the franchise get what they want from the title.

“As developers, we know the challenges of creating a simulation like Assetto Corsa,” he said. “But as sim racers, we know what we want to drive and play, and we never forget this. This is important because today is a great time to be a sim racer. Assetto Corsa Rally and EVO are the answer to what people want.”

“With EVO, during the early access programme, we are doing our very best to fit with the needs and feedback that we are receiving from the community. We are so amazed because thanks to EVO and the new Assetto Corsa Rally, the franchise is growing at a level we never imagined before.”

These include Open Mode, which won’t require being online to drive, and the new Career Mode. The latter will combine “progression, in-game economy, and the Driving Academy,” and you won’t need an online connection to play it. Special Events will be available in both modes, though internet connectivity is required.

Technical improvements for performance on VR and triple-screen set-ups, AI behavior (with skill level affecting their tactics), a revamped UI for AI driver grids, a new Custom Race Weekend option, and multiplayer. The latter is undergoing internal testing and will launch this Summer for players, offering “redesigned netcode” and “ongoing improvements for a stable and competitive online experience.”

Finally, KUNOS will deliver “highly requested cars” (like open-wheelers) much sooner and implement modding tools during early access instead of after. Stay tuned for an updated roadmap.

Assetto Corsa EVO is available for PC via Steam Early Access. Check out our impressions here.

That said, there are some excellent racing games coming this year, and the list we’ve provided here – which, for the record, is ordered via least to most anticipated – arguably displays more promise than 2024. Note though, racers we’d expect to see new entries for – namely F1 25, MotoGP 25, and possibly RIDE 6 – have been left out to give space for some lesser-known titles to shine.

Endurance Motor Series

Experience the slow-burning drama of endurance racing in Endurance Motor Series, upcoming from studio KT Racing who’re deviating from their usual fayre of WRC and MXGP games (glossing over Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown) to put you behind the wheel of the world’s most hardwearing motorcars. However, honing your stamina for long-distance racing is only half the experience. In a unique twist, in Endurance Motor Series you can virtually hot desk between the car and the pit wall, modifying race strategy via abundant data sources including a neat weather radar.

The vehicles in question are the Lamborghini Huracan STO and Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evo 2, while Fuji Speedway is the newest track. There are also new Special Events to complete alongside various bug fixes and quality-of-life improvements.

The behavior and pathing of rival AI have improved, while the default mirror offsets in VR have been updated. Vehicles like the Alpine A290 beta, Alfa Romeo Junior, and Alfa Romeo GTAm have also seen minor fixes alongside enhancements to shadow distance.

Check out the full patch notes below. You can also read our early access review for the title here.

Assetto Corsa EVO 0.1.6 Patch Notes

GENERAL:

• added Fuji Speedway
• added Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evo II
• added Lamborghini Huracan STO
• added new special events
• updated roadmap

UI/GAMEPLAY:

• fixed thumbnail generation on exit
• optimized VRAM use of thumbnail generation
• fixed chase cam losing rotation lag after changing view settings on the motion page
• fixed delta using the last lap instead of the best one
• optimization and finetuning of input system and updated new input defaults
• localization updates
• fixed HUD handbrake icon showing as enabled on session start
• Look-At buttons are now forced to be Constant type
• fixed UI refreshing when editing input/sliders
• added displaying of results at the end of Special Event sessions
• updated Laguna Seca Hotstint start
• updated tooltips
• fixed erroneous behaviour of fullscreen switch
• improved camera navigation fluidity in showrooms
• fixed paintshop colour picker refresh issue after channel change
• revised rule for mutually exclusive parts in car customization
• restyled hover/focus transitions in Single Player menus
• added track layouts to the track selection page

AI:

• general improvements to AI behaviour and paths

PHYSICS:

• fixed issue in Porsche 992 Cup setup limits and empty tyre compound

GRAPHICS/RENDERING:

• updated default VR mirror offsets
• revised some vehicle materials and AO maps
• minor fixes to the Alpine A290 Beta, Alfa Romeo Junior and Alfa Romeo GTAm
• fixed Room and White showrooms not having car instrumentation working
• enhanced shadow distance

This game has been long in the coming – five years in development. What all can players expect from the title after this long of a wait? 

Through the years we analyzed what our community appreciated so much in the Assetto Corsa franchise and where to improve. Definitely, the driving feeling, the authenticity of cars and tracks, and the variety of content are just some of the keys of the success of the franchise, while we recognize that in terms of pure gameplay, there was a good margin for improvements. We worked on any single aspect with the goal to improve both in the areas where AC is considered a benchmark providing a gameplay structure as well that will allow players to enjoy EVO in any aspect: on track, on roads, when they spend time in the garage or at the dealership, and so on.

We developed a brand new engine specifically focused for simracing, improving physics (aerodynamic, tyre model, electronics), visuals, sounds, handling, UI ex, netcode. along with brand new features like dynamic track and weather, a structured driving academy, free roaming, a more structured multiplayer experience, with the goal to provide a great level of immersion when you sit behind the steering wheel.

"We developed a brand new engine specifically focused for simracing"

A lot of players have caught on to this already and are speculating based on what they have seen in the trailers, but will there be courses with traffic in the game as well?

As recently confirmed at ADAC Simracing Expo earlier in October, yes!

Assetto Corsa EVO will introduce for the first time a free-roaming mode to include road driving on traffic.

As you’ve seen in the trailer, we decided to tease this, through a Morgan Super 3-Wheeler: this is a beautiful car to drive but is not maybe the first choice you will pick to face a race… We want players to enjoy every single car to its fullest, whether on the track or on the road, even just to experience the pure “driving pleasure” without giving up anyway on realism and accuracy, which remain the key pillars of our AC franchise, letting EVO express all its potential at 360 degrees, also involving a different kind (and a broader) audience. It is too early to go into details, but it will also be possible to interact with the location in ways related to the life of the “petrol heads”: visiting gas stations, tuning workshops, car rentals and much more. For further info, it will be necessary to wait a while, but we are sure of one thing: fans will not be disappointed

What prompted the decision to launch the game in Early Access?

Because AC EVO is an extremely complex product, based on a different software architecture from the previous ones: so, we bring with us a significant wealth of experience, but not the same technology as 12 (AC1) or 6 (ACC) years ago. Behind titles like Assetto Corsa generally no less than 60-80 people work, at KUNOS there are 35 of us to keep the focus on the kind of experience we want to offer, and the early access program allows us to continue to improve the product and test it in a way that would not otherwise be possible by actively involving our community in the process.

"Assetto Corsa EVO will introduce for the first time a free-roaming mode to include road driving on traffic."

What are the biggest benefits that you have enjoyed with Kunos Simulazioni’s new development engine?

KUNOS has been founded to be a technology provider for racing simulations, therefore working on our own engine is part of our DNA and keeps us even more focused, motivated and satisfied, which is quite beneficial for the health of the dev team, and this can reflect also on the quality of the final product.

The engine supports a 24H full cycle, different lighting, dynamic weather & track conditions, and photorealistic car shading/rendering/materials and more.

Also, a racing simulation like AC asks for a proper support for triple screen and VR and this requires a dedicated approach and specific technology with no workarounds.

Last but not least, EVO has been designed to be supported for years, so we decided to handle the technology behind it, also due to the presence of a game environment that required something unique.

One of the things you are marketing are the courses being brought over into the game with Laserscan. Were any changes made to any of the courses as concessions to playability? Or are they brought over exactly as is, in the spirit of authenticity?

The best way to make a simulation like AC “more playable” is to provide the most faithful track reproduction, including even the smaller details of the real-life counterparts; we are also working to update, with the recent modifications applied in Monza, Spa-Francorchamps and other circuits with the objective to synch them as much as possibile with the real-life counterparts, for the sake of authenticity.

Laserscan data will allow us to ensure the highest accuracy on this aspect. We are doing the best efforts to include circuits from many different Countries in all the continents. We may include a fictional proving ground to let our users enjoying handling testing, but we’ll stay focused on real assets as much as possible.

"Laserscan data will allow us to ensure the highest accuracy on this aspect."

Was VR support a development goal for this project all along? What were the biggest reasons for deciding to support VR with this game?

Racing simulations, as well as flight simulations, is the very best application for VR, because any other game can offer the same level of immersion, especially using a steering wheel, because it’s the perfect match to feel sitting into the cockpit.

We support VR since more than 10 years now, so the compatibility in EVO doesn’t come as a surprise. Taking advantage of our own technology, we don’t have to work around technical limitations due to 3rd party engines. So, fans can expect an even better VR support they got in the first Assetto Corsa, and Competizione.

The original Assetto Corsa eventually saw its way to consoles; do you think there is similar scope for this one to eventually come over to consoles as well?

Console users represent an important part of our audience so there are certainly plans on this sense. However, we are now fully focused on the Steam Early Access release on PC so further plans for the release of the console versions will be discussed at a later stage.

Cue Kunos Simulazioni’s Assetto Corsa EVO, the latest title in its relatively long-running franchise. Upon launching for early access, it faced backlash for the sheer amount of content locked to online mode, which wasn’t working.

"It’s still very early days for EVO, and there’s no better indication of this than the user interface. Minimalist to a fault – your mileage may vary – but it suffers from very obvious lag, especially with a controller."

Even as the developer made it possible to race with all 20 vehicles across its five tracks, the meatier content like Driving Academy and Special Events was unavailable for a good, long while. The fact that they required online connectivity, which wasn’t disclosed before early access began, also rubbed many the wrong way. Optimization issues, bugs and whatnot didn’t help either.

As of last week, however, Assetto Corsa EVO has finally received its online mode, adding such essentials as the game economy and progression alongside the promised modes. However, the question remains: Is it worth diving into early access, especially at this stage? We ultimately circle back to the initial launch content and what matters most to you.

In terms of overall experience, it’s still very early days for EVO, and there’s no better indication of this than the user interface. Minimalist to a fault – your mileage may vary – but it suffers from very obvious lag, especially with a controller. This is especially obvious during races when restarting a session and waiting those precious few seconds for the UI to load in.

It can look clean and uncluttered while selecting Special Events and License Exams, but there’s also work to be done with the UX. Completing an exam and not having the option to tackle the next? Not having settings to immediately end an exam after completion, regardless of success or failure, and returning to the pre-race screen? These are just a few things that are sorely needed.

"While there are five tracks, the total number of configurations is eight, with Suzuka and Brands Hatch getting two to three options. Mount Panorama, Imola and Laguna Seca get only one layout each."

There isn’t much to say about the progression aside from the fact it exists. You earn credits from completing races and use them to purchase vehicles. At least there are different versions of cars to purchase, with options to test drive or admire them in various ways, from toggling different animations to seeing how they look against different backdrops and weather conditions.

Alongside Driving Academy and Special Events, you have Quick Race and Practice. While there are five tracks, the total number of configurations is eight, with Suzuka and Brands Hatch getting two to three options. Mount Panorama, Imola and Laguna Seca get only one layout each.

Special Events are pretty straightforward, offering various races with set conditions and vehicles. Driving Academy is where you truly cut your teeth, taking on challenges across multiple categories like Sportscar, Supercar, Hypercar and Racing. You’ll tackle chicanes with a Lotus Emira on Imola, seek to best the “L” corners of Laguna Seca and brave Suzuka’s snaking corners in the rain with a Mazda MX5 ND Cup. All in all, I quite enjoyed these challenges – you can drive normally and clear them well enough, but getting three stars on each requires understanding your vehicle, the track and the weather.

Nevertheless, it’s still a shame they’re tied to online mode. At this moment of writing, the latter became unavailable, which means no checking the Licenses tab, the Special Events section coming up blank, and even the Dealership becoming greyed out.

"The other big selling point of Assetto Corsa EVO is the visuals, with the environments and car models looking quite gorgeous. Much of that will depend on your hardware, though."

From the outside looking in and a features standpoint, Assetto Corsa EVO doesn’t seem to offer much content at this point in early access. However, when it comes to the gameplay, it’s one of the more compelling racing sims on the market.

The physics model and handling are some of the best on the market. Track conditions, including weather, will affect them in the most expected ways – you may have a handle on surfaces when it’s clear skies or scattered clouds, but when the rain arrives, there’s a battle for stability. Whether you’re overshooting a turn and going off track or nudging the corner a little closely, it feels natural, responsive and even visceral.

Best of all, each car feels unique. You would expect nothing less from a racing sim, but there’s something remarkable about how EVO captures each vehicle’s essence. The Honda S2000 AP1 feels alive, humming along at a strong pace, but it feels like a leisurely drive next to the Ferrari 296 GTB, which explodes with power, visually and audibly. Experiencing each vehicle with the handling model on offer is as joyous as it is challenging, and there are assists available to ease players in. Granted, the options aren’t extensively detailed, but you can still toggle stability control, the ideal line, and automatic clutch, which is better than nothing.

The other big selling point of Assetto Corsa EVO is the visuals, with the environments and car models looking quite gorgeous. Much of that will depend on your hardware, though. On an RTX 4060 and an 11th-gen Core-i5, I went with Medium for most settings, with the level of detail and texture pool size set to High at 2560x1440p and 60 FPS.

"If you’re someone who enjoyed previous Assetto Corsa titles or racing sims in general, this could make for a decent diversion, potentially to try out the handling that everyone is raving about. "

The results were relatively solid, though there were noticeable frame drops during the conclusion of a License Exam and at certain sections of races. Alongside some noticeable pop-in, the reflections in the rearview mirror of the cockpit also look underwhelming. I didn’t experience any major drops or sluggish performance while racing, much less any crashes, but there is plenty of optimization work to be done.

Overall, Assetto Corsa EVO isn’t an easy recommended, at least at this stage of early access. Even if everything ran smoothly – which is not the case – the amount of content isn’t exactly the most extensive. This isn’t to say that the experience is terrible, but you should really know what you’re getting into and the availability of said content before committing.

If you’re someone who enjoyed previous Assetto Corsa titles or racing sims in general, this could make for a decent diversion, potentially to try out the handling that everyone is raving about. Racing sim enthusiasts seeking a more complete package might want to wait several months for more extensive updates and content additions. However, there’s no denying that EVO possesses one of the better sim gameplay experiences on the market or that its visuals can rival the greats. It just needs more time to truly make them shine and justify that $40 price tag.

This early access version of the game was reviewed on PC.

Some of the key fixes in the update include a reworked music system along with the addition of new music for the menu and gameplay. There are also improvements to the responsiveness of the Manage Presets UI, and even graphical bug fixes like missing lights and incomplete dash display renders in the Showroom.

The studio has also promised more updates, namely to the server infrastructure. This will bring with it online mode, though there isn’t a release date outside of “coming soon.”

Assetto Corsa EVO was released as an early access title on PC earlier this month. At launch, it features five tracks and 20 cars. Players can race around across several game modes: Free Practice, Quick Race, and a training mode dubbed Driving Academy. The studio has a series of updates planned to bring in plenty of new content before its 1.0 release, which will have 100 cars and 15 officially licensed circuits.

For more details about the title, check out how it’s different from Assetto Corsa Competizione. We also found its launch to be a bit disappointing. Find out why here.

Assetto Corsa EVO Update 0.1.4 patch notes:

AUDIO:

• reworked music system to result in better reliability and improved fading
• new music for menu, gameplay and ending sessions
• fixed potential issue when audio device is lost
• tweaked Mount Panorama audio reverb zones
• tuned audio slip ratio logic and feedback
• fixed BMW M4 CSL backfire audio playing in idle
• fixed Lotus Emira compressor sound
• fixed Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 compressor sound

CONTROLS/UI:

• localization updates
• fixed responsiveness issue in Manage Preset UI
• fixed mirrors toggling in multi-mirror (with right mirror disabled by default)
• Showroom: fixed car instrumentation inconsistencies via the car controls widget
• Showroom: fixed missing lights on showroom scene change
• Showroom: fixed incomplete dash display render
• implemented function to listen to concurrent devices: if multiple devices are responsible for the same input, one device can be active, the other device will sleep until they are moved by a margin, replacing the active one
• fixed controller steering assist affecting direct input devices when both devices were connected
• mouse cursor now disappears after a few seconds of inactivity
• changed default FOV of driving cameras (default button now resets to 55)
• fixed overlap between game version and online status in localization
• enabled axis visualization in the controls page
• added 0.2s repeated function for L/R/U/D in controllers
• fixed inconsistency behaviour when making quick turning inputs with a controller
• fixed an issue with garage cars visibility with Italian localization
• increased mirror yaw limits
• fixed an issue with double startup scene loading

RENDERING:

• fixed black screen at Imola and other tracks in triple screen
• disabled TV camera movements in VR
• reduced VRAM usage
• fixed VR and triple screen missing undercar shadows, artefacts on probes, veil flicker etc.
• fixed VR flickering on the sky box
• optimized VR GPU performance
• optimized triple screen GPU performance
• improved car reflections to be more cubemap resolution independent (notably medium setting has an improved quality)
• fixed an issue on resource indexing (fixes some of the minor AMD-specific glitches)

GRAPHICS:

• fixed missing mesh skinning from the Alfa Romeo Junior front springs
• fixed minor visual issues on the Alfa Romeo Giulia GTAm
• fixed Hyundai i30 N LOD issues with lights
• fixed an issue with the AMG GT2 lights colour inherit
• fixed a missing default rim customization definition of a Toyota GR86 configuration

PHYSICS:

• fixed BMW M4 CSL ride height limits
• fixed BMW M4 CSL launch control
• raised minimum pressure in setup limits
• adjusted minimum tyre pressure limits