Virtual Reality is probably the most exciting piece of tech in simracing at the moment. More and more simracers are trying it out, but which are the best games to do so with? Here's our list of the best racing games in VR.
Image Credit: Hyundai on Newspress
Able to literally place a simracer behind the wheel of their dream car, virtual reality is an amazing tool. In fact, alongside Direct Drive wheels, it is probably the most exciting piece of hardware in the industry right now.
New VR headsets seemingly release every day, all offering different specifications designed to entice gamers. Last year, we listed the best headsets for simracing in different price ranges. From the plucky, entry-level Oculus models to the jaw-dropping price tag of the market topping bits of kit. This guide has everything you need to know about the screens some of us strap to our faces to go racing.
Racing in VR compared to a traditional screen setup dramatically alters how one drives. Whilst many believe it to make you quicker, that is simply not the case for the majority of users. Sure, VR means you can easily spot apexes and judge distances to walls and other cars in a more effective way. But when it comes to car control, things get tough.
On a single screen, simracers get used to the visual signs of a rear end losing traction. However, you don't get the same point of view in VR meaning it's more difficult to hold a car on the limit. As a result, VR racers depend much more on force feedback to feel what the car is doing. The best VR games often have the best FFB.
You now know which headset to buy and how it will affect your driving. So it's probably about time you knew which games work the best in VR and which probably aren't worth attempting.
Here's our run down of the best racing games for VR. Click the button below to navigate to the next pages. As always feel free to add your favorite VR titles in the comments below.
Image Credit: Hyundai on Newspress
Able to literally place a simracer behind the wheel of their dream car, virtual reality is an amazing tool. In fact, alongside Direct Drive wheels, it is probably the most exciting piece of hardware in the industry right now.
New VR headsets seemingly release every day, all offering different specifications designed to entice gamers. Last year, we listed the best headsets for simracing in different price ranges. From the plucky, entry-level Oculus models to the jaw-dropping price tag of the market topping bits of kit. This guide has everything you need to know about the screens some of us strap to our faces to go racing.
Racing in VR compared to a traditional screen setup dramatically alters how one drives. Whilst many believe it to make you quicker, that is simply not the case for the majority of users. Sure, VR means you can easily spot apexes and judge distances to walls and other cars in a more effective way. But when it comes to car control, things get tough.
On a single screen, simracers get used to the visual signs of a rear end losing traction. However, you don't get the same point of view in VR meaning it's more difficult to hold a car on the limit. As a result, VR racers depend much more on force feedback to feel what the car is doing. The best VR games often have the best FFB.
You now know which headset to buy and how it will affect your driving. So it's probably about time you knew which games work the best in VR and which probably aren't worth attempting.
Here's our run down of the best racing games for VR. Click the button below to navigate to the next pages. As always feel free to add your favorite VR titles in the comments below.
Automobilista 2 - King of Simracing VR
Launched in 2020, Automobilista 2 has slowly but surely become one of the most popular simracing titles on the market. This is in no small part thanks to its stunning visuals provided by the Madness engine.
Reiza's decision to go with the same graphics engine as Project Cars 2 was controversial to begin with. But over time, the community has warmed to this look for the game as it offers one key advantage: it looks fantastic in Virtual Reality.
Vivid colours, great graphical fidelity and an immersive sensation are just part of what makes AMS 2 so good for VR racers. The main point that propels this title to the top of the list however has to be its optimisation. It's no secret that VR takes a hefty computer to run as it draws a lot of resources to look good. But in AMS 2, this is hardly an issue as the game runs immensely smoothly.
Whilst the graphics look brilliant and do a fantastic job of placing the player behind the wheel, the physics are a rollercoaster of quality in Automobilista 2. Some cars such as the new Formula Inter and Porsche Cup cars provide excellent feedback and feel natural to pilot whilst in VR. However, many others, especially the Formula One cars, tend to lose that sense of connection to the car. Whilst one can work around this on a single screen, it makes driving in VR a very unfulfilling experience.
Reiza's decision to go with the same graphics engine as Project Cars 2 was controversial to begin with. But over time, the community has warmed to this look for the game as it offers one key advantage: it looks fantastic in Virtual Reality.
Vivid colours, great graphical fidelity and an immersive sensation are just part of what makes AMS 2 so good for VR racers. The main point that propels this title to the top of the list however has to be its optimisation. It's no secret that VR takes a hefty computer to run as it draws a lot of resources to look good. But in AMS 2, this is hardly an issue as the game runs immensely smoothly.
Whilst the graphics look brilliant and do a fantastic job of placing the player behind the wheel, the physics are a rollercoaster of quality in Automobilista 2. Some cars such as the new Formula Inter and Porsche Cup cars provide excellent feedback and feel natural to pilot whilst in VR. However, many others, especially the Formula One cars, tend to lose that sense of connection to the car. Whilst one can work around this on a single screen, it makes driving in VR a very unfulfilling experience.
iRacing gets the job done
Whereas Automobilista 2 provides somewhat of a plug-in and play VR simracing experience, iRacing may require some tweaking to the graphics settings. However, that is not to say it is a bad game for VR simracing. On the contrary, it is arguably a brilliant option for those looking to race online in Virtual Reality.
As standard, the game will load up in the lowest graphical specification possible. It will take some tweaking of the settings to get the game to look just right, but when that work is done, iRacing is a close second to AMS 2 when it comes to VR graphics. Compared to its Brazilian counterpart, iR features much duller, perhaps more true-to-life graphics. The colours certainly don't pop as they do in the previous title.
That being said, it will run very well with most graphics settings turned up meaning players get good detail with a brilliant frame rate. Nothing to write home about, the iRacing graphics certainly don't shout '2023 sirmacing.' But by catering to players with less powerful computers, the game allows VR users to boost the settings.
Furthermore, iRacing's physics seem to work well with VR. Driving is a very natural process, despite losing much of the rear end feeling.
As standard, the game will load up in the lowest graphical specification possible. It will take some tweaking of the settings to get the game to look just right, but when that work is done, iRacing is a close second to AMS 2 when it comes to VR graphics. Compared to its Brazilian counterpart, iR features much duller, perhaps more true-to-life graphics. The colours certainly don't pop as they do in the previous title.
That being said, it will run very well with most graphics settings turned up meaning players get good detail with a brilliant frame rate. Nothing to write home about, the iRacing graphics certainly don't shout '2023 sirmacing.' But by catering to players with less powerful computers, the game allows VR users to boost the settings.
Furthermore, iRacing's physics seem to work well with VR. Driving is a very natural process, despite losing much of the rear end feeling.
ACC: Heavy on ressources but worth it
Whilst the first two titles run VR with few issues to performance, Assetto Corsa Competizione is a heavier load on resources. The Unreal Engine featured in ACC has always be known for its poor optimisation, low framerates and ability to burn out a PC.
In VR this is no different. Players will have to significantly drop their settings in order to run the game smoothly when surrounded by a field of GT cars. However, if you're ever feeling like you deserve a treat, jump in a single-car practice session and bump up the graphical quality. If your graphics card permits it, make use of AMD FSR and Nvidia DLSS as they should improve framerate.
With gloomy, overcast weather and little to no bright lights on track, the game will look as close to reality as one can get at home. Something about the game's weather system does wonders with darker conditions.
From experience, I can say that this will give you this most immersive and seemingly realistic simracing experience. The game itself feels fantastic with the right force feedback settings and looks a dream with plenty of cloud cover. Try this and you may never want to experience the game with other cars on-track.
If you're lucky enough to have a PC capable of running these settings in online races, you will never take your VR headset off.
In VR this is no different. Players will have to significantly drop their settings in order to run the game smoothly when surrounded by a field of GT cars. However, if you're ever feeling like you deserve a treat, jump in a single-car practice session and bump up the graphical quality. If your graphics card permits it, make use of AMD FSR and Nvidia DLSS as they should improve framerate.
With gloomy, overcast weather and little to no bright lights on track, the game will look as close to reality as one can get at home. Something about the game's weather system does wonders with darker conditions.
From experience, I can say that this will give you this most immersive and seemingly realistic simracing experience. The game itself feels fantastic with the right force feedback settings and looks a dream with plenty of cloud cover. Try this and you may never want to experience the game with other cars on-track.
If you're lucky enough to have a PC capable of running these settings in online races, you will never take your VR headset off.
