Assetto Corsa: Review of the Realistic Racing Simulator + How to Play for Free

Assetto Corsa stands out as a premier driving simulation that captures the essence of real-life racing like no other title on consoles. With its lifelike physics and intricate handling, it’s a game that demands to be experienced. While it boasts a diverse selection of cars, from vintage open-wheel racers to modern hypercars, it also faces challenges that prevent it from claiming the title of the best racing simulator ever. Despite its dedication to realism, Assetto Corsa struggles with various gameplay issues that can hinder the overall racing experience, making it a mixed bag for enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

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Assetto Corsa Review

Assetto Corsa is a truly remarkable driving simulation. There’s nothing quite like it on consoles, and the realism of its handling must be experienced to be believed. It’s undoubtedly one of the best driving simulators available today, thanks to its incredibly lifelike physics. But can it be considered the best racing simulator of all time? Unfortunately, no. While Assetto Corsa offers a solid selection of cars—from classic open-wheelers to cutting-edge hypercars—and a modest array of European tracks, it doesn’t hold the title of the best racing simulator, even among recent releases.

Although Assetto Corsa excels as a fascinating and technically demanding simulation of real-life driving, it struggles to deliver a robust racing experience due to a range of perplexing and sometimes game-breaking issues. The game first entered Early Access in late 2013 and officially launched in December 2014. Since then, it has garnered a loyal fan base and has been consistently supported by developers and a thriving modding community. However, its console debut feels somewhat unfinished.

The most significant issues arise on the track, with the fundamentally flawed penalty system being particularly frustrating. If you’re penalized for hitting the curb too aggressively, you receive a “slow down” penalty. Unfortunately, the system lacks nuance; instead of allowing you to drop to a minimum speed or let an opponent regain their position, you must completely lift off the throttle. Even if you’ve slowed to a crawl, pressing the gas again resets the timer. This design choice leads to many inconveniences and frustrations.

The Frustrations of AI in Assetto Corsa

One of the most glaring issues in Assetto Corsa is the behavior of the AI opponents. They often seem oblivious to your presence on the track, skillfully pushing you onto the grass or nudging your car off course by squeezing into tight spaces. This situation highlights an unfortunate aspect of the excellent driving dynamics crafted by Kunos: it takes very little to throw your car off balance. A gentle tap on your rear fender can send you spinning out, while the AI faces no repercussions for such actions. Strangely, when the roles are reversed, the opponent cars remain unaffected by contact. If you happen to make a bold overtaking move, it’s usually you who ends up at a disadvantage, while the AI races on without a hitch. This reality makes you want to steer clear of other racers entirely, unlike in games like Project CARS, where close, competitive racing is a joy.

The AI’s deficiencies extend beyond their racing skills; they also lack basic racing logic. I’ve encountered several races where the entire field decides to pit during the second-to-last lap of a short race. It’s baffling that such a glaring oversight made it into the final version of the game, which only adds to the feeling that the career mode in Assetto Corsa hasn’t been fully polished.

• Unpredictable AI behavior: Ignoring the player’s presence on the track.
• No consequences for AI when making contact with the player.
• Inadequate AI logic, including strange decisions like mass pit stops in the closing laps.
• Underwhelming career mode: Requirement to finish in the top 3 to progress.
• Lack of motivation to battle in the mid-pack; frequent race restarts.
• Limited opportunities for an immersive racing career experience.

Speaking of career mode, it’s quite underwhelming. Other racing simulations, like F1 2016 and Project CARS, incorporate career modes that feel realistic, allowing players to aim for podium finishes based on the teams they join. The expectations are generally more attainable for most players, making for a more engaging experience. In Assetto Corsa, however, it feels like it’s all or nothing; you must finish in the top three to move forward. There’s little motivation to engage with the mid-pack; if you’re not close to the leaders after a few laps, restarting becomes the only option. Whether it’s due to an AI collision or a missed braking point, the frequent restarts feel reminiscent of older racing games. While other titles have evolved to provide a more immersive racing career, Assetto Corsa offers a series of basic challenges that feel disconnected from the excitement of being a real race driver.

The Realism and Frustrations of Assetto Corsa

The tracks in Assetto Corsa exude a convincing, worn-in feel, especially with their battered curbs that add character and realism. While the game offers a variety of ways to engage, including ‘Special Events’, these are essentially standalone versions of the events already present in the career mode, such as quick races, time trials, and hot laps. The main advantage is that you can tackle these events in any order, unlike the more linear progression of the career mode.

When it comes to overall presentation, Assetto Corsa has its highs and lows. The highly detailed and functional car interiors are impressive, and while racing from my preferred dashboard view, I didn’t encounter many obvious visual glitches. However, the frame rate tends to dip on both consoles, especially when competing against the maximum of 15 opponents. Interestingly, the AI cars seem to be driverless during races, only displaying drivers during replays. Additionally, the strobing brake lights can be disorienting, making the experience feel more like a rave than a racetrack. On the audio front, the sound design is mostly solid, though it lacks the raw intensity found in games like Project CARS. Still, it surpasses the audio experience of Gran Turismo, even if some cars sound less convincing than others. The vibrant color palette feels more natural compared to some competitors, and the tracks have a genuine, worn quality that enhances immersion.

Unfortunately, the menu interface is a significant drawback. Navigating through the options quickly becomes tedious due to its unintuitive design. If you need to back out of a specific career event, instead of returning to the previous menu, you’re taken all the way back to the main career mode tiers, adding an unnecessary step. Moreover, the menus are cluttered with cars and events from the PC version that are labeled as DLC for the console but are inaccessible when clicked.

1. Realistic Tracks: The tracks feature a convincing, worn-in feel, enhanced by battered curbs.
2. Special Events: These are standalone versions of career mode events, allowing for flexible participation.
3. Presentation Quality: High-quality car interiors and minimal visual glitches, but frame rates dip with maximum opponents.
4. Driverless AI: AI cars appear driverless during races, only showing drivers in replays.
5. Brake Light Effects: Strobing brake lights can be disorienting, detracting from the racing experience.
6. Sound Design: Mostly solid audio, lacking the intensity of competitors like Project CARS, but better than Gran Turismo.
7. User Interface Issues: The menu navigation is unintuitive and cumbersome, leading to unnecessary steps.
8. Event Completion Handling: Abrupt transitions to the pit box after races feel jarring and anticlimactic.

What irks me the most, though, is the game’s indifferent handling of event completions. After crossing the finish line, whether in online or offline modes, you find yourself abruptly teleported to your pit box, watching as AI or human opponents appear behind you. This sudden transition is jarring and feels poorly executed. You’re left waiting for the results screen to pop up before you can exit the race, which is anticlimactic and detracts from the overall experience, making the game feel somewhat unrefined.

The Mixed Experience of Assetto Corsa

The force feedback in Assetto Corsa is impressive, allowing players to feel every jolt as they navigate harsh curbs and dance on the edge of control. This sensation is particularly exhilarating when using a racing wheel, as the game’s intricate handling comes to life. However, the experience can be quite different when racing online. After a race concludes, you find yourself stuck in the pits, waiting to either quit or restart the event once everyone else leaves. This creates a disheartening feeling, as if the game is indifferent to your presence. The menu navigation only adds to the frustration. Upon quitting an online race, you’re not directed back to the online race browser but instead dropped into the main ‘Drive’ menu, forcing you to reselect ‘Online’ to join another event.

Currently, there aren’t many compelling reasons to race online. While the racing is adequate when you can find it, the lack of players in the pre-set lobbies makes it difficult to get matches. Additionally, the inability to create custom events limits the online experience.

For those who prefer single-player, Assetto Corsa shines as a hot-lapping experience, particularly for players using a racing wheel. I was pleasantly surprised by how well Kunos has adapted the game’s hardcore handling for controllers; even with default sensitivity, it’s less twitchy than expected. Features like the auto-throttle blip help maintain control during downshifts. I’ve enjoyed playing with a Logitech G29, and when it’s just me against the physics, the game is genuinely fantastic. The force feedback is precise, making it thrilling to jolt over curbs and push the limits of control.

However, Assetto Corsa struggles to appeal to less experienced racers. Turning on the driving line is ineffective, as it provides static braking points that are often inaccurate, and it remains visible in replays, making it feel permanently painted on the track. The chase cam also leaves much to be desired; even for someone like me who typically struggles with chase cams, this one is particularly frustrating. The difficulty curve is uneven, with time trials feeling too easy while the racing becomes increasingly ruthless. With no night racing, no weather effects, a limited selection of circuits, fewer cars on track, and a lack of immersive features like pit engineer communication or a lively race-day atmosphere, Assetto Corsa falls short compared to more comprehensive racing sims like F1 2016 or Project CARS. As it stands, I can’t recommend it for console players seeking a well-rounded racing experience.

Assetto Corsa System Requirements

Before immersing yourself in the realistic racing experience of Assetto Corsa, it’s important to ensure that your PC meets the necessary specifications. The game offers stunning visuals and intricate driving dynamics, so having the right hardware will greatly enhance your gameplay. While older systems can run the game at lower settings, modern specifications are recommended for the best experience.

Minimum Requirements

To enjoy Assetto Corsa at basic graphics settings, your system should meet the following specifications:

This configuration allows you to enjoy the game at minimal settings, though you may experience reduced texture quality and effects.

Recommended Requirements

For the best experience and to fully immerse yourself in the thrilling world of Assetto Corsa, we recommend the following specifications:

Meeting these recommended specifications will ensure smooth gameplay, maximum graphics settings, and an exhilarating racing experience. Checking your system requirements beforehand will help you avoid technical issues and allow you to fully enjoy the detailed and immersive world of Assetto Corsa. For optimal performance, aiming for the recommended specifications is highly advisable.

How to Play Assetto Corsa for Free on Steam

If you’re excited to dive into the realistic racing experience of Assetto Corsa but aren’t ready to make a purchase, there are a few easy ways to access the game for free on our platform. We offer shared Steam accounts that have Assetto Corsa pre-installed through our Shared Steam service.

Method 1: Register on the VpeSports Website

To get started with this method, follow these steps:

1. Visit the VpeSports website and create an account.
2. Log in to your newly created account.
3. Navigate to the Shared Steam section.
4. Locate Assetto Corsa in the list and proceed to the game review page.
5. Click the Download button to access the complete guide on how to gain entry.
6. Leave a positive comment under the game review, sharing your thoughts on our review and the game itself.

Important:

• Comments are subject to moderation. If your comment isn’t approved, try rewriting it to adhere to the guidelines.
• Once your comment is approved, our moderators will send the account details with the game to the email you used during registration.

Method 2: Subscribe to the Telegram Channel

Another way to gain access is by subscribing to our Telegram channel, Shared Steam Accounts VP:

1. Find our Telegram channel and subscribe.
2. Through the channel, you’ll be able to access an account with Assetto Corsa for free play.

This method is perfect for those seeking quick access and wanting to stay updated on news about patches and new games.

If you encounter any issues, a comprehensive guide is available on our website at the following link: How to Play for Free – Detailed Instructions!