Have you been looking for the best sim racing games for the PC? Then you’re at the right place. The world of sim racing is incredible in general, but you have to find the games that match your preferences to enjoy it to the fullest. Knowing what’s the best racing sim for PC will direct you to the right options, saving you from wasting precious dollars.
We are avid gamers and have played various racing simulations to get first-hand experience of the gameplay. But PC has been our primary medium; hence, we feel most confident about sharing our preferences for racing sims for PC.
Units You Can Play sim Racing On.
Firstly, let’s clarify which units a racing sim can run on. There are three primary hardware you can use for running your racing sim:
- Gaming PC
- Consoles (Xbox, PlayStation, etc.)
- Gaming Laptop
All three are capable and great for sim racing, but some games run better on specific hardware. PC is the most flexible of the three, so it is the best for smooth and uninterrupted gameplay for several sim racing games.
What’s the Best Racing Sim for PC?
Now, it’s time to look at the main topic, rating the best racing sim game for PC. We have listed our favorite racing sims below and explained which features make them deserving of being on the list. In the end, we will give a final answer for ‘what’s the best racing sim for PC.’
1. iRacing
iRacing has been our favorite since it first launched in 2008 because it has always been ahead of its time. The current game is as realistic as it can get, giving the most authentic racing simulation experience among all the available options. Several reasons make it ideal.
Graphical Depiction and Accuracy
iRacing has unbelievably realistic graphics that make the game incredibly immersive. The details are also accurate, making it an attractive option for professional racers who have developed an interest in sim racing.
Rules Preventing Dirty Tactics
Aside from the accuracy in graphical depiction and effects, we also love that this game has strict rules for gamers. iRacing has one of the largest communities, which can get troublesome since there’s likely to be more than a few players who’d play dirty to get ahead.
The good thing is that such behavior gets easily flagged, and players can get banned. This rule has made it possible for all types of gamers to enjoy it seamlessly and practice their skills without worrying about unfair practices.
Variety of Cars and Racetracks
iRacing has various cars, and racetracks players can purchase, and we have had a lot of fun exploring the options. It allowed us to test our skills with different features under unique conditions, so we enjoyed the experience immensely.
Payment Requirement
As great as the game is, it has a major limitation, subscription. iRacing requires players to pay a little over $10 as a monthly subscription fee and purchase cars and racetracks within the game. It isn’t a huge sum for several players, but it feels a little unfair to pay it after spending a significant amount getting the right gear.
2. RaceRoom
If you’re not very particular about graphics and enjoy mastering your skills, RaceRoom is the perfect game for you. It is an incredible game that allows players to hone their driving skills, bringing in a realistic gameplay experience.
Realistic and Challenging
It emulates real-life racing well enough to become significantly difficult once you reach higher levels, so be prepared for some frustration. Your best bet is to practice repeatedly to become better before challenging the advanced levels.
Free Download
The best part about the game is that you can download it for free, and there is no subscription fee involved. However, you will need about $25-$30 to build a decent racetrack, so be prepared to spend that amount.
In general, it is one of the most popular games for racers who like to take on the challenge this game presents.
3. Forza Horizon 5
Forza is a fun racing sim that keeps players occupied with achievements, unlocking new cars and racetracks, and practicing new driving techniques. It offers an extensive set of activities and racing events central to progression and the reward system, making it a fairly simple framework to understand and enjoy.
This game is ideal for players who prefer to play at their own pace without feeling overwhelmed by an exceedingly fast-paced, challenging multiplayer game.
4. Project Cars 2
Despite having great competitors in the mix, Project Cars 2 has one of the most realistic gameplay we have come across.
The Realism
The cars are programmed to react similarly to how a real car would respond to skidding on ice or going off the racetrack, so you wouldn’t get your car toppling off every time you make a few mistakes.
We don’t say it lightly when we mention the game is realistically designed. Project Cars 2 designers were meticulous because you’ll notice how differently the cars behave on surfaces of different materials. They closely emulate how a car would respond during a real interaction with that material.
The realism is incredible but challenging because we are accustomed to the hyper-sensationalized versions, so it takes a while to get accustomed to its realism.
Car Variety
We loved playing it and enjoyed the car varieties. The choosing process is fun, and testing out each car’s different handling and controls is always an intriguing experience.
All in all, it is a great
5. Assetto Corsa Competizione
If you love GT4 cars as much as we do (who wouldn’t), this game is the right one for you. With stellar graphics, amazing tracks, and even better cars, this game makes the players love it without even trying. We love the realistic graphics and always get excited when it hosts its GT4 and GT3 Championships.
As the name implies, the game heavily centers around competition, with the gameplay allowing the players to practice and perfect their driving skills. The game is detailed in its approach; however, it thankfully isn’t as difficult to master as RaceRoom.
All in all, a pretty cool racing sim among the many available in the market.
Verdict
As you may have guessed, iRacing takes the crown for the best racing sim for PC. It is a little exclusive due to all the money it charges, but there is no denying the accuracy, detail, and positive culture the game has succeeded in creating.
Still, Project Cars 2 remains our favorite on the list. We found the game a lot more intriguing due to the realism, more accessible because of lack of extra charges, and adequately challenging.
We recommend determining your preferences first and then choosing the game that best fits the criteria.
Final Thoughts
The answer to ‘what’s the best racing sim for PC’ comes down to iRacing (objectively) and Project Cars 2 (our favorite). We hope you enjoyed reading our game descriptions and will find them helpful for choosing the right game for your sim racing experience.
