Discussion
Hey all,
After buying Dirt Rally in EA [Early Access] back in may or whenever, I've put about 100 hours in it, playing with a joypad. I desperately wanted a FFB [Force feed back] steering wheel to play it, but couldn't really justify spending so much on a peripheral that I may use in only one game, and maybe I wouldn't like Dirt.
These 100 hours have convinced me that it wouldn't be a waste of money - in that I would actually use it, lets not get into a discussion about expensive gaming peripherals being a 'real-world' waste of money - I started looking at getting a wheel.
Then there was the choice - the obvious one at the middle of the range was Logitech's offerings. Slightly higher price you have the Thrustmaster T-series and higher still, the Fanatecs. The main difference between these is that Logitech's are mechanical and the latter two are belt driven. Aficionados will tell you that belt drive is the way forward - it's smoother and quieter. However, there's a price consideration.
For purely financial reasons, I looked at buying a Logitech on ebay - the latest iteration, the G29, was £300 new, and didn't include a shifter. That was an additional 50 quid. G27 it is then. The general guide price for this 5 year old piece of hardware was around £180. I failed a few bods, but as luck would have it, Currys/PC World started a sale and the G20 could be had for £160. Instant buy.
Now I'm faced with having to learn Dirt Rally all over again! That doesn't matter, no I'm more hooked.
In a rambling, round-about fashion, what other sim racers are worth a look?
After buying Dirt Rally in EA [Early Access] back in may or whenever, I've put about 100 hours in it, playing with a joypad. I desperately wanted a FFB [Force feed back] steering wheel to play it, but couldn't really justify spending so much on a peripheral that I may use in only one game, and maybe I wouldn't like Dirt.
These 100 hours have convinced me that it wouldn't be a waste of money - in that I would actually use it, lets not get into a discussion about expensive gaming peripherals being a 'real-world' waste of money - I started looking at getting a wheel.
Then there was the choice - the obvious one at the middle of the range was Logitech's offerings. Slightly higher price you have the Thrustmaster T-series and higher still, the Fanatecs. The main difference between these is that Logitech's are mechanical and the latter two are belt driven. Aficionados will tell you that belt drive is the way forward - it's smoother and quieter. However, there's a price consideration.
For purely financial reasons, I looked at buying a Logitech on ebay - the latest iteration, the G29, was £300 new, and didn't include a shifter. That was an additional 50 quid. G27 it is then. The general guide price for this 5 year old piece of hardware was around £180. I failed a few bods, but as luck would have it, Currys/PC World started a sale and the G20 could be had for £160. Instant buy.
Now I'm faced with having to learn Dirt Rally all over again! That doesn't matter, no I'm more hooked.
In a rambling, round-about fashion, what other sim racers are worth a look?
That really is a roundabout way of getting to it! 
Just for the sublime handling, try the demo of Live For Speed (https://www.lfs.net/)
It'll run well on pretty much anything you can find today as it's been around for a long time.
I've not looked at sim racing for a while, so I'm not sure what current games there are, the classics are things like GTR2, rFactor, GP Legends, Richard Burns Rally and they have huge modding communities that have kept the games going.
Current options include iRacing, Assetto Corsa, probably some others. Project CARS isn't considered that 'sim' by some people, I haven't driven it in order to comment but probably worth considering.
That's something to be getting on with anyway!
Just for the sublime handling, try the demo of Live For Speed (https://www.lfs.net/)
It'll run well on pretty much anything you can find today as it's been around for a long time.
I've not looked at sim racing for a while, so I'm not sure what current games there are, the classics are things like GTR2, rFactor, GP Legends, Richard Burns Rally and they have huge modding communities that have kept the games going.
Current options include iRacing, Assetto Corsa, probably some others. Project CARS isn't considered that 'sim' by some people, I haven't driven it in order to comment but probably worth considering.
That's something to be getting on with anyway!
Dirt Rally is fantastic with a wheel, although hard work!
As for other games, everybody has their preference and rightly so; depending on what you want from the game is going to depend on what to go for. This is just my opinion on these mind you, you can argue for days on what games are worth it or not. The only solution is to buy some and try them out.
The more modern offerings...
Assetto Corsa: Very pretty, good handling and physics. Single player is rather bland and online lobbies don't have great functionality for league racing. It is enjoyable for hot-lapping the online Nordschleife though, DLC required for that track as well as it isn't in the base game.
Project Cars: Physics are a little suspect, but it is a solid game (Maybe not full sim). Don't use this online but I enjoy it for some quick offline races. I find it frustrating that it is missing some more niche racing features like warm up laps and mandatory offline pitstops though.
Stock Car Extreme: This is soon to be Automobilista so keep an eye out for that. This is a great game, it is based on rFactor/gMotor engine which provide good physics and game workings. It has everything you could want offline for a comprehensive experience, although it is heavily based around the Brazilian stock car championship and support series + tracks. It means a massive learning curve initially but it is good fun. Pick up races online are a no go though, and the graphics may leave something to be desired if you are into those.
rFactor 2 I haven't played, and Dirt Rally you already own so no point going there. Looking into the past I don't have a lot of experience with those sims:
Race 07/Race On/GTR2/GT Legends: These are all based on rFactor but are solid in their own right. They provide good offline racing if you aren't to fussed about the graphics. You can get some of them here for just 69p(!): https://www.bundlestars.com/en/bundle/born-2-race-... The others regularly go for similar prices on Steam, GT Legends being a personal favourite of mine.
Richard Burns Rally: If you thought Dirt Rally was difficult this is a whole new level, very difficult to master! There are loads of mods going up to the modern day so worth a try. Might be worth looking at G29 compatibility first though.
rFactor: The daddy of them all really, as I said for Stock Car Extreme it provides a solid offline and online experience with a tonne of mods to add virtually any series or track you want. Definitely pick this up, you won't regret it. Might take some getting used to it and setting up the controls to your liking though.
Sure I have missed some and someone will disagree with all of it
As for other games, everybody has their preference and rightly so; depending on what you want from the game is going to depend on what to go for. This is just my opinion on these mind you, you can argue for days on what games are worth it or not. The only solution is to buy some and try them out.
The more modern offerings...
Assetto Corsa: Very pretty, good handling and physics. Single player is rather bland and online lobbies don't have great functionality for league racing. It is enjoyable for hot-lapping the online Nordschleife though, DLC required for that track as well as it isn't in the base game.
Project Cars: Physics are a little suspect, but it is a solid game (Maybe not full sim). Don't use this online but I enjoy it for some quick offline races. I find it frustrating that it is missing some more niche racing features like warm up laps and mandatory offline pitstops though.
Stock Car Extreme: This is soon to be Automobilista so keep an eye out for that. This is a great game, it is based on rFactor/gMotor engine which provide good physics and game workings. It has everything you could want offline for a comprehensive experience, although it is heavily based around the Brazilian stock car championship and support series + tracks. It means a massive learning curve initially but it is good fun. Pick up races online are a no go though, and the graphics may leave something to be desired if you are into those.
rFactor 2 I haven't played, and Dirt Rally you already own so no point going there. Looking into the past I don't have a lot of experience with those sims:
Race 07/Race On/GTR2/GT Legends: These are all based on rFactor but are solid in their own right. They provide good offline racing if you aren't to fussed about the graphics. You can get some of them here for just 69p(!): https://www.bundlestars.com/en/bundle/born-2-race-... The others regularly go for similar prices on Steam, GT Legends being a personal favourite of mine.
Richard Burns Rally: If you thought Dirt Rally was difficult this is a whole new level, very difficult to master! There are loads of mods going up to the modern day so worth a try. Might be worth looking at G29 compatibility first though.
rFactor: The daddy of them all really, as I said for Stock Car Extreme it provides a solid offline and online experience with a tonne of mods to add virtually any series or track you want. Definitely pick this up, you won't regret it. Might take some getting used to it and setting up the controls to your liking though.
Sure I have missed some and someone will disagree with all of it
Duly noted. I was looking at Assetto and Raceroom. IRacing is a subs game, might have a look see for a month. Raceroom is free, which is a bonus, just to try it.
The reason that post was so rambling is that I started writingthe post and then wanted to write something more longform, and then it turned into a blog post.
I would be interested in any comments, as to whether it's actually any good, well written (or not) etc. as I've been wanting to do something for a while, but not had any inspiration.
https://distinctlyaveragegamer.blogspot.co.uk/
To look at it critically, perhaps it's a little 'breathless' with too many short sentences. Not sure.
The reason that post was so rambling is that I started writingthe post and then wanted to write something more longform, and then it turned into a blog post.
I would be interested in any comments, as to whether it's actually any good, well written (or not) etc. as I've been wanting to do something for a while, but not had any inspiration.
https://distinctlyaveragegamer.blogspot.co.uk/
To look at it critically, perhaps it's a little 'breathless' with too many short sentences. Not sure.
Edited by Tonsko on Thursday 7th January 17:29
iracing is excellent although not cheap it is much cheaper than it first appears.
There are loads of cheap trial or starter deals out there http://giftcardspromocodes.com/14/iracing-coupon-c...
Once in you can keep the costs down using one of the half price subs ($50 pa) you can then get credits for racing up to $10 per season plus an annual bonus of $5 = $45 per year in credits. Add in the regular buy $100 of credit for $75 and the sub is virtually free.
You are going to need extra tracks once out of rookies but discounts are available (10% or 20%) same for cars.
I always found it hard to get a good race against real people in other games too many wreckers and idiots in pick up racing and I couldn't commit to a regular day/time for league racing. iracing fixes that for me, I can get reasonably equal races (you are matched up based on irating which is sort of a skill/rank system) and almost no-one deliberately crashes due to the safety rating and reporting systems.
It's hard as well, every tenth counts. I've only driven 3-4 cars in my 3 years playing. I could just be rubbish though.
There are loads of cheap trial or starter deals out there http://giftcardspromocodes.com/14/iracing-coupon-c...
Once in you can keep the costs down using one of the half price subs ($50 pa) you can then get credits for racing up to $10 per season plus an annual bonus of $5 = $45 per year in credits. Add in the regular buy $100 of credit for $75 and the sub is virtually free.
You are going to need extra tracks once out of rookies but discounts are available (10% or 20%) same for cars.
I always found it hard to get a good race against real people in other games too many wreckers and idiots in pick up racing and I couldn't commit to a regular day/time for league racing. iracing fixes that for me, I can get reasonably equal races (you are matched up based on irating which is sort of a skill/rank system) and almost no-one deliberately crashes due to the safety rating and reporting systems.
It's hard as well, every tenth counts. I've only driven 3-4 cars in my 3 years playing. I could just be rubbish though.
iRacing for online.
AC for hot lapping offline.
The best way to keep iRacing cost down is to renew in Dec (i.e. Black Friday deal) as said above. Once out of the Rookie class then I just picked a series with the most tracks I already had and then added 3 new ones (for price of 2 when the offer was on). It's not as expensive as it sounds.
AC for hot lapping offline.
The best way to keep iRacing cost down is to renew in Dec (i.e. Black Friday deal) as said above. Once out of the Rookie class then I just picked a series with the most tracks I already had and then added 3 new ones (for price of 2 when the offer was on). It's not as expensive as it sounds.
Career mode in Project Cars is good as it throws up track/car combos you might not think of trying yourself, this is what I'm playing most right now. There is a good time trial thread here just for fun!
Live for Speed I played for years, and I love it, but what you get for your money isn't as impressive as the new games, if you get it just get the S2 licence as S3 only gets you Rockingham.
Assetto Corsa is good for hot lapping and has some really cool cars, I've only just got RFactor2 but from what I've tried out it looks good, but I haven't played any as much as Project Cars. I-Racing I haven't tried so can't comment.
There are a few other games that are cheap on Steam as well. Get them all on sale and try them out, and decide which you like best
You may laugh but Eurotruck Simulator2 is great for chilling out lol
Live for Speed I played for years, and I love it, but what you get for your money isn't as impressive as the new games, if you get it just get the S2 licence as S3 only gets you Rockingham.
Assetto Corsa is good for hot lapping and has some really cool cars, I've only just got RFactor2 but from what I've tried out it looks good, but I haven't played any as much as Project Cars. I-Racing I haven't tried so can't comment.
There are a few other games that are cheap on Steam as well. Get them all on sale and try them out, and decide which you like best
You may laugh but Eurotruck Simulator2 is great for chilling out lol
I was chatting to a guy that I play Dirt Rally with, and as he's a robot at that bloody game (him and his friend are often in the top 100, less often in top 50 global) I figured he played other racing games - and he does. He basically said that all of them have their strengths and weaknesses, no one sim game does it all. He pretty much said the same thing about Assetto as above, and other comments say similar - it's a hot lap simulator. This guy suggested iRacing, as he's been subbed for 2 years. Led me through the first few steps, the software to set FFB properly, how to set your FOV etc. This game is bonkers.
Did a bit of a test drive in the MX5 on Laguna Seca - hard. This game is hard. Have to use the clutch and everything! I need to spend some time setting the FFB up correctly. Otherwise, cautiously optimistic.
Did a bit of a test drive in the MX5 on Laguna Seca - hard. This game is hard. Have to use the clutch and everything! I need to spend some time setting the FFB up correctly. Otherwise, cautiously optimistic.
I've avoided I-racing because I've heard you can spend a fortune on it. I'm a fairly casual racer, I just want to be able to get on when I have the time and pick up a race. The AI in the newer games (well Project Cars at least) allows me to do that offline, online is a bit hit and miss although there are lots of leagues forming now. I think that's where I-racing excels, once you get a half decent rating and are clear of the clumsy noobs it's supposed to have a great matching system which gives close competition and the rating system discourages people from being stupid.
I used a Logitech G27 wheel and pedals when I first started sim-racing about 4 years ago. They're pretty good and quite robust (like the G29) so up to the task but can be improved a lot with the with the Nixim Brake Spring. This transforms the brake feel and will make you a lot quicker. I eventually sold my G27 and went to a Fanatec GT3 wheel and Club Sport Pedals (which I still use), a lot more expensive and better built but in truth I don't think it made me any quicker overall. In fact, to begin with the feedback feel was so different it actually made me worse!
Games wise, I co-run an on-line sim racing league and we are currently transitioning from rFactor to rFactor 2. We are very lucky that we have a group of around 15 people who race weekly so it's very friendly whilst still being very competitive. We took a long time to decide to move to rF2, but I'm pretty confident that we made the right decision. Before I set up the league I did look at iRacing but decided the costs weren't worth it as we run the league completely free (aside from buying the game). That said it does look good and I can definitely see the appeal.
Games wise, I co-run an on-line sim racing league and we are currently transitioning from rFactor to rFactor 2. We are very lucky that we have a group of around 15 people who race weekly so it's very friendly whilst still being very competitive. We took a long time to decide to move to rF2, but I'm pretty confident that we made the right decision. Before I set up the league I did look at iRacing but decided the costs weren't worth it as we run the league completely free (aside from buying the game). That said it does look good and I can definitely see the appeal.
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