What racing game do you recommend for a newcomer?

glenniez · Nov 17, 2013

Hi, I would like some advice on what PC sim/arcade racer game to get on PC. I'm new at PC gaming and a very casual player and have a low to mid range PC. I've got the F1 series already.
I don't really play online so I'm not sure about rfactor/iracing series. The GTR games look good but which one? and all the DLC's confuse me a bit and as I play occasionally I don't want to spend loads of cash or subscribe every month.
So do I go for an older title or something newer? I like the look of Project cars and will probably get it when it comes out.

Thanks for any advice.

Bram Hengeveld · Nov 17, 2013

Which kind of cars do you prefer to race @glenniez?

Justin Swan · Nov 17, 2013

Pcars will need quite a powerful rig to look anywhere near half decent I'm afraid.
Why not try out RACE 07 as a good starting point to get your juices flowing

It's £2.50 and will give you a good range of cars and tracks to pick from and you can bolt on your DLC when and as you choose. It is an older generation sim but still mixes it with the best and would be a good stepping stone if you get the bug and want to move on to something bigger and better. It has a pretty decent single player championship and very customisable to something you're comfortable with? my 2 cents anyway

http://store.steampowered.com/app/8600/

David Wright · Nov 17, 2013

glenniez said:
Hi, I would like some advice on what PC sim/arcade racer game to get on PC. I'm new at PC gaming and a very casual player and have a low to mid range PC. I've got the F1 series already.
I don't really play online so I'm not sure about rfactor/iracing series. The GTR games look good but which one?

Thanks for any advice.

There are three GTR options. The original GTR which while something of a milestone title is the oldest and not very new user friendly.

GTR2 offers more up to date graphics though it is now 7 years old. The physics is also more forgiving and better suited to beginners. The Steam version requires a bit of patching to get Ferrari and Porsche back but its worth it. GTR2 features day/night racing, wet weather and fully animated pitcrew for pitstops.

GTR Evo offers slightly better tyre physics, but although the cars are real, the fictional drivers/liveries do detract IMO and again IMO the grey cockpits are not as attractive as GTR2s black cockpits. It does not feature night racing or animated pitcrew but wet racing is enhanced by animated wipers (which GTR2 doesn't have).

GTR2 and GTR Evo are both good options - I'd go for GTR2 if I could only have one but its a close call.

If you are interested in old cars (Mustangs, Mini Coopers, Cobras, E-Types, Porsche 911 RSRs etc), GT Legends has a great career mode and good AI. The career mode not only gives it that "just one more race" factor, but starts you off in the easier to drive cars - moving you gradually through to the harder cars.

Rupe Wilson · Nov 17, 2013

GTR2 if only for the driving school..
GTLegends for classic cars
Race 07 pack or individual GTR evo

or got for the bulk buy off steam and come and join us at RD
get a licence and join us on track
Race 07 & GTLengends offers you a great intorduction to sim racing with a friendly atmoshere

Mattross · Nov 17, 2013

RACE Injection is probably the best value of the smaller bundles.
http://store.steampowered.com/app/44680/

If you get GTR2, you must try the Power&Glory v3.1 mod for classic racing. It's like an updated GT Legends.
http://www.gtlw.co.uk/

I like both GTR2 and the Race 07 series, but I've found myself going back to GTR2 more often lately. Maybe its a bit more lively and I'm having good time exploring all the mods out there.

jimortality · Nov 17, 2013

GSC 2013 and ftruck 2013 you don't need anything thing else. No need to thank me.

Fabrizio Corona · Nov 17, 2013

Get Assetto Corsa.

glenniez · Nov 18, 2013

Bram Hengeveld said:
Which kind of cars do you prefer to race @glenniez?

I like lots of cars, I've been playing F1 mostly but sometimes just wanna drive some sports cars or race spec road cars so every once in a while will play GT5.
Just so you know it was your set ups on F1 2010 I used and that got me into the RD site.

Bram Hengeveld · Nov 18, 2013

Ah glad I could be of any assistance

Well the above made suggestions are pretty good and most games on Steam are very cheap anyway.

Maybe just pick one and see if you like it (eh you will

).

glenniez · Nov 18, 2013

A massive thanks to all who have responded and really good advice from site the members.
I like the sound of GTR2, Race07 and Assetto Corso so far. I think I'll try GTR 2 first because its sounds like it's beginner friendly and being cheap on steam, and hopefully it will run well on my PC.
Thanks guys.

glenniez · Nov 18, 2013

Sesto Elemento said:
Get Assetto Corsa.

I think I managed to agree and disagree! Sorry if I did

glenniez · Nov 18, 2013

Jim Brailsford said:
GSC 2013 and ftruck 2013 you don't need anything thing else. No need to thank me.

This also looks really good.

David Wright · Nov 18, 2013

glenniez said:
A massive thanks to all who have responded and really good advice from site the members.
I like the sound of GTR2, Race07 and Assetto Corso so far. I think I'll try GTR 2 first because its sounds like it's beginner friendly and being cheap on steam, and hopefully it will run well on my PC.
Thanks guys.

To get Ferraris and Porsches in the game

install GTR2 patch 1.1, then after this,
install the no cd patch.

then make a GTR2 shortcut on desktop, and you can start GTR2 simply by clicking on shortcut, Steam does not have to be running.

link for patch 1.1 http://www.nogripracing.com/details.php?filenr=2099
no cd patch http://www.nogripracing.com/details.php?filenr=2282

glenniez · Nov 19, 2013

David Wright said:
To get Ferraris and Porsches in the game

install GTR2 patch 1.1, then after this,
install the no cd patch.

then make a GTR2 shortcut on desktop, and you can start GTR2 simply by clicking on shortcut, Steam does not have to be running.

link for patch 1.1 http://www.nogripracing.com/details.php?filenr=2099
no cd patch http://www.nogripracing.com/details.php?filenr=2282

Hi, thanks for the info. Can you tell me where to paste the patches please. I've installed the game and made a desktop shortcut when steam gave me the option to do so.
I've played it without the patches first to make sure it plays okay.

p.s. any tips for Logitech profiler and in game FFB settings using DFGT?

Thanks again.

glenniez · Nov 19, 2013

I guess they get installed in the steam apps folder and then make a new shortcut?

Travis · Nov 20, 2013

If you want to buy SimBin's Race Injection, it's available for approximately $4 USD: http://www.bundlestars.com/

You get other games too (most sound like rubbish) but Race Injection is a must buy at that price. This is a legit website; no dodgy key resellers etc.

Just found GTR and GT Legends are also available from the same website for approximately $5 USD: http://www.bundlestars.com/all-bundles/Superpower-Sims-Bundle/

Ho3n3r · Nov 20, 2013

GTR Evolution, or even GTR 2. These have lots of good offline content that you can enjoy by yourself

glenniez · Nov 20, 2013

Travis Petrovic said:
If you want to buy SimBin's Race Injection, it's available for approximately $4 USD: http://www.bundlestars.com/

You get other games too (most sound like rubbish) but Race Injection is a must buy at that price. This is a legit website; no dodgy key resellers etc.

Just found GTR and GT Legends are also available from the same website for approximately $5 USD: http://www.bundlestars.com/all-bundles/Superpower-Sims-Bundle/

Excellent find, seems similar to Humblebundle. I'll definitely give them a go. Nice one