List your top 5 racing games and/or simulators

[Zonic2001 47]

I'm new to PC gaming therefore, to give me a good indication of what PC games or sims to purchase (following by downloading) that I should put some emphasis on, I will like to query this forum.  Please list your top five racing games and/or simulators (only software).  Thanks in anticipation of participating in this post. 

[Ricky Davies 326]

By download, i hope you mean purchase digitally

 

I would give you 5 but for someone new i would recommend 2 options. rfactor & iracing

 

rfactor 1 has a huge modding community which is the only thing keeping it alive at the moment, and because no one other title as let modders have full power over a title as much as rfactor 1. You will find pretty much any car & track so you will be entertained for hours and you will always find your self downloading loads of content which best of all is FREE!. Most devices work with rfactor,  button boxes, displays and shifters but you are limited to how many devices you can run at the same time. Graphics depends on the mods the default content is not great so it's best just to go straight into mods and get a few plugins. Which brings me to my next point, rfactor needs the reel feel plugin to really get the best out of certain cars it's a title which will require a few tweaks to get it to how you want it. The AI are not great then again they are not that bad but a few tweaks can improve them, if your looking for some online racing you may find the odd server but your best bet is using google or the league section of this forum and looking into joining a private league where you know the racing will be clean and fair.

 

iracing is the place for online racing which gives you clean competitive racing and you actually get rewarded for it. starting as a rookie you make your way up through the licences which gives you the opportunity to race better cars. the only downside for most people is that iracing comes at a price. you are given some starter cars and tracks to help you get through the rookie stage after that you will need to spend some money on cars and tracks and keeping your monthly sub up, there are plenty of offers out there and if you do choose to go for iracing head down to the iracing section where you may find some promo codes to make it cheaper for you in the long run.

 

This is how i started but many others will most other titles as well there are lots of them, but hopefully you can take something from the next few posts

 

CHEERS!

[CaTaPulT 658]

1) Race07

2) GTR2

3) rFactor

4) rFactor-2

5) Assetto Corsa

Take care

 

Regards:  >>>> Jack <<<<

[Paradox 92]

I got started on PC simracing with Race07. Its dirt cheap now on Steam, and there are almost as many mods for it as rfactor. 

[Paul Heijmans 226]

1) assetto corsa

2) rfactor

3) gtr2

4) race07/gtr evo

5) nkp/rbr/gpl/lol cant decide

[rfernandes 21]

no iRacing in 1º? 

[MattyK-USA 109]

no iRacing in 1º?

I'm sorry, but not with that tire model (at least for me)! I practice regularly with the MX-5, and have almost never raced. Maybe in a month or two. Plus, with AC having added MP it's gotten pretty sweet.

Still, for the pure racing experience I guess iRacing is it.

[Zonic2001 47]

1) assetto corsa

2) rfactor

3) gtr2

4) race07/gtr evo

5) nkp/rbr/gpl/lol cant decide

LMAO!!!  Good one!!!

[Zonic2001 47]

By download, i hope you mean purchase digitally

 

I would give you 5 but for someone new i would recommend 2 options. rfactor & iracing

 

rfactor 1 has a huge modding community which is the only thing keeping it alive at the moment, and because no one other title as let modders have full power over a title as much as rfactor 1. You will find pretty much any car & track so you will be entertained for hours and you will always find your self downloading loads of content which best of all is FREE!. Most devices work with rfactor,  button boxes, displays and shifters but you are limited to how many devices you can run at the same time. Graphics depends on the mods the default content is not great so it's best just to go straight into mods and get a few plugins. Which brings me to my next point, rfactor needs the reel feel plugin to really get the best out of certain cars it's a title which will require a few tweaks to get it to how you want it. The AI are not great then again they are not that bad but a few tweaks can improve them, if your looking for some online racing you may find the odd server but your best bet is using google or the league section of this forum and looking into joining a private league where you know the racing will be clean and fair.

 

iracing is the place for online racing which gives you clean competitive racing and you actually get rewarded for it. starting as a rookie you make your way up through the licences which gives you the opportunity to race better cars. the only downside for most people is that iracing comes at a price. you are given some starter cars and tracks to help you get through the rookie stage after that you will need to spend some money on cars and tracks and keeping your monthly sub up, there are plenty of offers out there and if you do choose to go for iracing head down to the iracing section where you may find some promo codes to make it cheaper for you in the long run.

 

This is how i started but many others will most other titles as well there are lots of them, but hopefully you can take something from the next few posts

 

CHEERS!

For those purist like you, I changed my post.  The word "purchase" was added!!!!!! 

[mikedem 124]

I would have to say

1. Assetto Corsa

2. Race 07 and all expansions

3. RRR3

4.GTR2

5. GT Legends

 

And for historical games 

1. Nascar 99 - Loved the Trucks

2. Nascar 2003

2b. Grand Prix Legends

3. Sportscar GT

4. Grand Prix 4 - actually most Microprose games

5. World Circuit

[DjFIL 180]

as of today...

 

1) iRacing - You can't beat this online experience.  If you're serious about online competition, come here.

2) Richard Burns Rally - 10 years later and nothing has surpassed it for quality rally simulation.

3) Anything Reiza Studios (Formula Truck/Game Stock Car) - gMotor is a really dated engine, these guys have pushed it to it's limits.

4) Assetto Corsa - Would be higher up my list, but it's very early.  Once the mods start flowing, this will jump up my list.

5) MotoGP 13 - Ok, it's not a great game, online is hit and miss, and it's not a sim... but it's a solid motorcycle racing game that I get lots of enjoyment from.

 

MXGP and WRC 4 from Milestone (MotoGP 13 team) are enjoyable too... just don't go in with 'sim' expectations.  Kart Racing Pro is a great indie kart racing simulation... but lack of AI and hit and miss online are the reasons its outside of my top 5.  Dirt 2 is enjoyable and my current favorite (of recent titles) from Codemasters... maybe GRID Autosport will bring back the fun.  Also for future titles I'm looking forward to The Crew... really hoping for some good open world fun.

 

It would be in my top 5, but it's not racing... but don't miss out on Euro Truck Simulator 2.  Love this one.

[Zonic2001 47]

as of today...

 

1) iRacing - You can't beat this online experience.  If you're serious about online competition, come here.

2) Richard Burns Rally - 10 years later and nothing has surpassed it for quality rally simulation.

3) Anything Reiza Studios (Formula Truck/Game Stock Car) - gMotor is a really dated engine, these guys have pushed it to it's limits.

4) Assetto Corsa - Would be higher up my list, but it's very early.  Once the mods start flowing, this will jump up my list.

5) MotoGP 13 - Ok, it's not a great game, online is hit and miss, and it's not a sim... but it's a solid motorcycle racing game that I get lots of enjoyment from.

 

MXGP and WRC 4 from Milestone (MotoGP 13 team) are enjoyable too... just don't go in with 'sim' expectations.  Kart Racing Pro is a great indie kart racing simulation... but lack of AI and hit and miss online are the reasons its outside of my top 5.  Dirt 2 is enjoyable and my current favorite (of recent titles) from Codemasters... maybe GRID Autosport will bring back the fun.  Also for future titles I'm looking forward to The Crew... really hoping for some good open world fun.

 

It would be in my top 5, but it's not racing... but don't miss out on Euro Truck Simulator 2.  Love this one.

I like your suggestions... is a mix of sim and regular racing games which might be what I need to do since i just turned from console racing to sim racing.  I like to do some car adjustment but spending an hour on car adjustments to race for 5 min, that is not me.  I rather do the opposite...  spend 5 min on tweaking the car and a lots of racing time, specially since I'm still working and my playing time is limited to 1 to 2 hrs in the evenings.

[Saabjock 5]

Depending on hardware...

RF2

AC

RBR for your rally fix.

GTR2

IR if you have lots of money

[Zonic2001 47]

Thanks everyone for the input!  It has been very helpful.