PC racing game recommendations?

[OCNewbie]

I think the last racing game I was fairly into was Gran Turismo 4 for the PS2.

What are some of the best, recent racing games for the PC that would play well with an XBox 360 controller?

I don't think I'd want something too overly arcadey, but I'm open to any suggestions.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Durvelle27]

Need for speed

 

[OCNewbie]

Need for speed

Which one? There's a ton of different titles, isn't there?

 

[Durvelle27]

Most wanted, the run, shift 2, shift, carbon

 

[Anteaus]

For overall fun factor Grid and Dirt are really good. IMO Race 07 is one of the best "sim" racers out there right. In my view from a driving standpoint it beats the rest. All of them work well with a 360 controller. Race 07 is dirt cheap right now on Steam so I'd look into it. There are alot of great expansions to be had.

If you want something more, iRacing is an option. It is a online racing service. Check the website if your interested.

 

[Achilles97]

NFS Shift 1 & 2 are great if you want a simulator type of street car racing game. It's fun to drive on a realisticly-mapped Nurburgring track.

 

[Achilles97]

Also, I know you said you will play with an XBox controller, but if you plan on playing for a while and you can afford it, take a look at the Logitech Driving Force GT or the pricier G27. I think my G27 is the best thing I've ever purchased for my gaming rig. It's so immersive.

 

[zokudu]

I know you said not too arcadey but my favorite racing game ever is Trackmania. One version is available for free on steam. It limits you a little bit, no custom skins, you have to sit out every 3rd or 4th race in multiplayer but it gives you the idea. The whole game is built around custom content and there are some absolutely insane tracks to be found out there from other users.

The single player is meh to me but playing the time attack multiplayer is really addicting. Give it a shot maybe? http://store.steampowered.com/app/11020/

 

[Canbacon]

If you don't mind not having a super graphical experience, try Live for Speed. It is a hardcore racing sim. I think it was one of the first games to have heat and tire deformation simulation. Since it is basically a homegrown game, it is slow on updates.

If you want a bit more recent graphics, check out Project CARS. It is a crowd sourced racing sim by the dev team who made Shift series and the new Ferrari game.

The Shift series is good, however be prepared to tweak the control settings as the defaults for me were terrible.

I agree with Achilles on the G27 suggestion, but only if you are going to go all in on PC racing. If not, see if you can find a G25 for cheap second hand.

 

[Dankk]

For overall fun factor Grid and Dirt are really good.

NFS Shift 1 & 2 are great if you want a simulator type of street car racing game. It's fun to drive on a realisticly-mapped Nurburgring track.

These. These right here.

GRID is generally regarded as the best racing game Codemasters has ever made, and one of the best racing titles currently available on PC.

Need For Speed: Shift (and Shift 2) feel like updated versions of GRID, with the best graphics out of any other racer, and the same great variety of cars and events.

GRID and Shift both strike a perfect balance between arcade and simulator. Wonderful games.

I know you said not too arcadey but my favorite racing game ever is Trackmania. One version is available for free on steam. It limits you a little bit, no custom skins, you have to sit out every 3rd or 4th race in multiplayer but it gives you the idea. The whole game is built around custom content and there are some absolutely insane tracks to be found out there from other users.

The single player is meh to me but playing the time attack multiplayer is really addicting. Give it a shot maybe? http://store.steampowered.com/app/11020/

lol. For those unfamiliar, Trackmania is to racing games as Unreal Tournament is to shooters. Really fast-paced, insane fun with no semblance to real racing. I agree it's really addictive though.

 

[Tweak155]

I still love Burnout Paradise for my xbox. Anything like this for the PC? I love the series!

 

[Dankk]

I still love Burnout Paradise for my xbox. Anything like this for the PC? I love the series!

Burnout Paradise for PC?

 

[Tweak155]

Burnout Paradise for PC?

Yeah but I can always boot up my xbox for that. Was wondering if the PC had something better to offer due to graphics or possibly PC only delivery.

 

[Canbacon]

Yeah but I can always boot up my xbox for that. Was wondering if the PC had something better to offer due to graphics or possibly PC only delivery.

Wait for the new Most Wanted from Criterion. It looks like Burnout Paradise with cops.

 

[Tweak155]

If you don't mind not having a super graphical experience, try Live for Speed. It is a hardcore racing sim. I think it was one of the first games to have heat and tire deformation simulation. Since it is basically a homegrown game, it is slow on updates.

If you want a bit more recent graphics, check out Project CARS. It is a crowd sourced racing sim by the dev team who made Shift series and the new Ferrari game.

The Shift series is good, however be prepared to tweak the control settings as the defaults for me were terrible.

I agree with Achilles on the G27 suggestion, but only if you are going to go all in on PC racing. If not, see if you can find a G25 for cheap second hand.

This thread got me to look at the G27. Seems there is a common complaint that the calibration gets thrown off early on and there isn't really a good fix. Any experience or comments on this? I just might pick one up.

Also, it isn't listed specifically on the Amazon page, but will it support Xbox 360 games? Force feedback would be great in my current Xbox games. Otherwise I may just pick up an Xbox wheel.

 

[Canbacon]

This thread got me to look at the G27. Seems there is a common complaint that the calibration gets thrown off early on and there isn't really a good fix. Any experience or comments on this? I just might pick one up.

Also, it isn't listed specifically on the Amazon page, but will it support Xbox 360 games? Force feedback would be great in my current Xbox games. Otherwise I may just pick up an Xbox wheel.

Unfortunately the G27/25's are not compatible with the 360. Only the Fanatec line of wheels are compatible with the 360. For PC gaming, I prefer the feel of the G27 over the Fanatec stuff. However, the Fanatec clubsport pedals are awesome, the stock pedals are junk.

Perfect wheel for me is a G27 Wheel, G25 Shifter, Fanatec Clubsport Pedals.

 

[Dankk]

Yeah but I can always boot up my xbox for that. Was wondering if the PC had something better to offer due to graphics or possibly PC only delivery.

In terms of racing games, the only thing the PC has over consoles is hardcore simulators. Stuff like rFactor, Project C.A.R.S., RACE 07, iRacing, etc, etc.

In terms of arcade racers, PC has Trackmania but that's it. (Trackmania's fantastic though, as noted above)

Pretty much everything else can be found on both PC and console.

 

[felang]

I agree with GRID probably being the best arcade/sim out there. NFS Shift 2 was also great (amazing graphics), I believe there were some control issues at launch but patches were realeased that improved things substantially.

I wish MS would release FORZA for PC though... definitely my favorite driving game.

 

[Tweak155]

Unfortunately the G27/25's are not compatible with the 360. Only the Fanatec line of wheels are compatible with the 360. For PC gaming, I prefer the feel of the G27 over the Fanatec stuff. However, the Fanatec clubsport pedals are awesome, the stock pedals are junk.

Perfect wheel for me is a G27 Wheel, G25 Shifter, Fanatec Clubsport Pedals.

Dang. I think I'd prefer console to PC unfortunately (with this genre). The G27 looks like an excellent setup, but I think I'll stick with Xbox and wheel.

I realize this is PC section - but if anyone has any experience with 360 wheels (recommendations are good), I'll be checking back. Thanks!

 

[Canbacon]

Dang. I think I'd prefer console to PC unfortunately (with this genre). The G27 looks like an excellent setup, but I think I'll stick with Xbox and wheel.

I realize this is PC section - but if anyone has any experience with 360 wheels (recommendations are good), I'll be checking back. Thanks!

Fanatec is the only one to get for the 360.

I just realized they released a new wheel and motor setup. I've only tried their older line of wheels. The new CSR motor looks beefy, hopefully it will not have that dull FF feel that they had for their 1st gen stuff.

 

[sandorski]

NFS Hot Pursuit
Dirt series
Grid

Are all great.

TDU2 is decent, but a very different kind of racing game that you may like or hate.

 

[Childs]

Yeah but I can always boot up my xbox for that. Was wondering if the PC had something better to offer due to graphics or possibly PC only delivery.

You can get the latest Hot Pursuit. Its made by Criterion, and its just like Burnout, without the stunts. I made a video awhile back. Its a lot of fun.

 

[Tweak155]

Fanatec is the only one to get for the 360.

I just realized they released a new wheel and motor setup. I've only tried their older line of wheels. The new CSR motor looks beefy, hopefully it will not have that dull FF feel that they had for their 1st gen stuff.

Looks like there are a few options for Fanatec on Amazon. Which in particular would you recommend?

 

[Tweak155]

You can get the latest Hot Pursuit. Its made by Criterion, and its just like Burnout, without the stunts. I made a video awhile back. Its a lot of fun.

That looks decent but the graphics seem worse than Burnout and that game is older... Is that really a 2010 game?

 

[Childs]

That looks decent but the graphics seem worse than Burnout and that game is older... Is that really a 2010 game?

There was no AA options in Hot Pursuit, but when looking at it in HD it looks OK. It could have been something with the capture, as I dont remember the graphics looking bad when playing.