WRC 10
While big, flashy franchises like Need for Speed have lost steam, the genre has found its feet with several niche games. WRC 10 is a rally simulation and, as the name suggests, the official game of the FIA’s flagship rally competition, but it goes far deeper than simply throwing the official tracks and cars at you. There’s a comprehensive career mode, complete with scheduling, staff management, sponsorship objectives, and more. Whether you’re a rally purist looking for a sim experience, or a newcomer looking to get a taste of rallying, WRC 10 delivers.
Forza Horizon 5
Forza Horizon 5 isn’t just one of the best racing games of the year, but will easily make it onto most overall game of the year lists. Its unique brand of on- and off-road arcade racing, its stunning open world and its accessible nature have made it an instant success. The game offers plenty of rewards for pretty much everything you do, and the fact that it allows you to approach the game any way you like makes this the perfect game for those who like to dabble in racing games occasionally. And for fans, the online competition, the multiple racing disciplines and the many collectibles will ensure that there’s hundreds of hours of four-wheeled fun to look forward to.
Hot Wheels Unleashed
Hot Wheels games can go either way, as we’ve seen with past gaming entries, but Hot Wheels Unleashed went exactly the way we had hoped. Developer Milestone has done a fantastic job of making players feel like they were actually behind the wheel of their favourite die-cast cars, with tracks set in real-world locations translating the sense of scale effectively. If you’ve collected Hot Wheels, you’ll surely appreciate the immense attention to detail on the cars, from the scuffed paint to the metal and plastic textures, to even the lines left on the cars from the moulds they were made in. It’s great fan service and a welcome shot of nostalgia presented as a fun arcade racer for all ages.
F1 2021
Forumla 1 has seen a bit of a mainstream resurgence over the last couple of seasons, and its reputation has only been enhanced by the final-day drama of the 2021 season. For gamers looking to take their new-found interest in F1 to the next level, F1 2021 presents a compelling experience that’s designed for newcomers and veterans alike. With F1 also delving deeply into esports, F1 2021 doubles down on its sim model and online multiplayer. But for those looking to ease in more gradually, there’s an all-new career mode that does a great job of recreating the drama of F1, while also introducing to the racing action more gently.
Riders Republic
While Riders Republic is more of an open-world adventure sports game, it is at its absolute best when you’re racing. Whether on a mountain bike, on skis, in a wing suit or with a rocket wing strapped to you, Riders Republic provides a racing experience unlike anything else out there. The open world – an amalgamation of several US national parks – provides the perfect backdrop and Ubisoft has carved out some amazing routes within it to make almost every race feel memorable. And if you’d rather take on human competition, nothing comes close to the chaos and madness of Riders Republic’s 64-player mass races.
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