This is the racing sim that's getting the most buzz at the moment, and for good reason. IRacing's NASCAR eSports series have become incredibly popular of late. RFactor 2 is the least game-like of the bunch so far and has relatively simple graphics compared to the three above, but she's got it where it counts, kid. Yes, you certainly can race offline and the artificially intelligent opposition will give you a good challenge, but like most race sims, the real competition is to be found online - including heavyweights like Max Verstappen. You get a menu where you pick your track, pick your car and then go racing.

You don't have a half-dozen offline career modes to work through or a complex offline licensing system to unlock cars. Of all the games I've listed so far, rFactor 2 is where things start to get serious. Now, with rFactor 2, it's all a lot easier thanks to an extensive (and still-growing) collection of licensed cars and tracks, not to mention some of the most competitive online racing series. Back then, I had to resort to user-created mods and ad-hoc online leagues. The original game released in 2005, but its core physics engine powered earlier iconic sims, like F1 Challenge 2002.

Truly dynamic weather is one of the hallmarks of rFactor 2. But, when it comes time to get really real, you're going to need to step up. This is likely to be your biggest challenge in getting up to speed on a PC. Go ahead, launch your car over that curbing, let the tail on your GT3 car kick out on that high-speed turn, you've got it all under control.Īssetto Corsa also has some handy force feedback options making it easier to get a feel for driving a car without any feel. Light and fun, Assetto Corsa is a driving game that encourages you to push a little harder. There's even a respectable single-player career mode.Īll that will make this game easy to pick up for those new to the PC sim racing world, but even more welcoming is the game's core physics engine. Assetto Corsa offers much of the same polish and appeal as high-end, console-based racers, including top-shelf cinemas, history lessons about the cars and a garage mode where you can ogle your next ride. I'm starting with the game that will be most familiar to console gamers - and not just because it's also available on consoles. Countaches at Zandvoort? Exactly the kind of hi-jinx I'd recommend in AC.

Dirt late model sim