Three must-have racing games for every petrolhead
They all manage to convey a realistic driving experience that can make players almost forget that this is a simulation and not a real race.
Forza Motorsport: The one for racing purists (Xbox, PC)
Since 2005, the name Forza Motorsport from Turn 10 Studios has held a firm place in the hearts of racing game fans. Unlike its big sister Forza Horizon , this isn't an arcade racer, but rather a simulation for discerning racing fans.
Expect endless fast-paced action in Forza Motorsport. — Turn 10 Studios/Microsoft/dpa
It's a completely remastered remake of the original, with 20 different tracks and around 500 cars, competing with Sony's flagship game, Gran Turismo 7 – the main alternative for anyone with a PlayStation.
In career mode, fans get to know the cars and tracks before demonstrating their skills in online races against other players. Thanks to the driver assists, even beginners can enjoy it. Those who want can skip everything and customise their racing strategy, including fuel consumption and tyre wear.
Experienced players can tinker with the perfect setup to optimally navigate corners in any weather. Successful manoeuvres earn experience points that unlock new options in the workshop.
Forza Motorsport looks professional, and it is. And yet beginners can still have a lot of fun with this racing game thanks to various switchable driving aids. — Turn 10 Studios/Microsoft/dpa
Forza Motorsport impresses with a near-perfect driving experience and numerous customisation options. However, beyond the maturity of the gameplay and the detailed visuals, the game lacks a bit in scope.
Where the competition focuses on spectacle, Forza Motorsport celebrates the pure joy of driving. This is a game for racing purists who enjoy tinkering with details to chase the best lap time. It's available for Windows PCs and the Xbox Series.
Dirt 5: Lots of mud, lots of thrills (PS4/5, Xbox, PC)
Buckle up, foot down and hit the dirt. In Dirt 5 , developer studio Codemasters sends racing fans on an outdoor rally halfway around the world. It's an arcade racer that focuses on speed, mud-plugging and excitement rather than realism. This will appeal especially to newcomers who appreciate the easy access and impressive visuals.
Dirt 5 offers precise controls but lacks any simulation aspect. Damage to the car is purely cosmetic, and players have no tuning options. — Codemasters/Electronic Arts/dpa
The heart of Dirt 5 is the career mode. Players collect prize money on over 70 tracks, seek out new sponsors and invest the winnings in new cars. An off-road truck handles more sluggishly than a converted street car and every steering error costs valuable seconds.
In addition to the racing events, players can also complete several skill tests in the "Playground" game mode to earn victory points. In addition to the online multiplayer mode, up to four players can compete against each other on their own screen in split-screen mode.
Dirt 5 offers precise controls but lacks any simulation aspect. Damage to the car is purely cosmetic, and players have no tuning options.
Race halfway around the world: Dirt 5 offers more than 70 tracks. — Codemasters/Electronic Arts/dpa
However, the developers have invested a lot of time in the audiovisual presentation. When the engines roar and the tires spray mud all over the place, the lack of realism hardly bothers you.
The game provides straightforward, fast-paced racing fun for anyone who wants to dive right into the spectacle without any preparation. It's available for Windows PCs, the PS4/5 and the Xbox One/Series.
F1 24: All Formula 1 drivers and tracks (PS4/5 , Xbox, PC)
F1 24 is the official game of the Formula 1 World Championship. Every driver, every track and every car: No other racing simulation captures the excitement of Formula 1 as authentically as the video game series from developer Codemasters.
It doesn't get much more realistic than this: Here you are travelling as Ferrari driver Ollie Bearman at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. — Codemasters/Electronic Arts/dpa
The 16th instalment features a revamped career mode in which players can become Formula 1 champions. The 17th instalment, F1 25 , was slated to arrive at the end of May.
In F1 24 , fans can either enter the race as a racing legend or create their own character. Then it all gets going: qualifying, racing and the winner's podium.
Thanks to numerous driving aids that indicate the ideal track or the correct braking point, even newcomers to the genre will find it easy to get started. In the race, players not only fight for a place on the winner's podium, but can also complete special tasks to unlock improvements for their car.
The view from the cockpit in F1 24. — Codemasters/Electronic Arts/dpa
The game grows alongside the player's skill. Without driving aids, it becomes a tricky reaction test. Anyone who overtakes too riskily or brakes too late quickly ends up in the barriers. Racing enthusiasts therefore need to rely on sophisticated controls with a steering wheel and pedals and leave the gamepad aside.
There's no question: F1 is in pole position among Formula 1 racing games, whether played alone or online with other players. The game is available for Windows PCs, the PS4/5 and the Xbox One/Series. – dpa
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