It’s a rainy day outside, the couch is warm, a single water droplet runs down your energy drink. The roar of a 1997 McLaren F1 is making your windows shake ever slightly, and a 12-year-old is spanking you harder than your momma ever did. Ahhh the world of video of games. Today we will attempt to list the best car games in the past decade, so buckle-up and let’s hear the angriest rant about the games that did or didn’t make it.
Project CARS 2
Imagine what it’s like being directly behind the wheel of a GT or Vintage edition. The uncontrollable thrill of racing down a speedway is exactly what the Project CARS franchise has to offer. After the outstanding success of Project CARS (2015), Project CARS 2 has become one of the most advanced simulation racing games to date, and a continual leader in Esports competitions across the world. Approved by professional racers and gamers alike, this version takes on a new meaning to authentic gaming thanks to its improved gamepad experience and career mode ability. With 60 breathtaking locations and 140 track options, you can witness the most accurate sensations of driving a race car.
What sets this game apart from its competitors is its dedication to groundbreaking control and handling. Every race is unique with its lifelike graphics, including changing seasons, variable track temperatures, unforeseen weather conditions, and varying grip exposure. Out of 189 models to choose from, it does not matter what car you drive, as long as you’re experiencing the exhilarating feel of motorsports racing.
The 5 best vehicles to use for Project Cars 2 are the Lotus 25 or 51, the Jaguar XJR-9, the Bentley Speed 8, the Ferrari 333 SP, and the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI T.M.E..
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit (2010)
Drifting through a mountainous road on a Mustang GT, a slow motioned BMW M3 flies over your screen, and chasing you is a full police squad. No other racing game has more action than Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit (2010).
This criminally fueled spectacle is set in the fictional Seacrest County, a small region which apparently has every kind of environment you can think of; forest, mountains, beach, you name it. The game is simple, cops vs racers. As a cop you can chance down racers or try to make the best time in a course without wrecking your vehicle. Racers are more concerned with running away from the cops and beating other racers. While the driving isn’t quite as realistic as other racing games, each car handles well and does mimic its real-life version. That’s it, no complex story lines or career modes, just drive fast and don’t crash.
Rocket League
Before you start writing triggered-fueled paragraphs about how Rocket League is not a “real car game”, allow us to make our point on why this game deserves a spot on this list.
Combining two of the most beloved sports around the world. Rocket League takes you to a futuristic world, where over the top hotwheel-sque motorcars play each other in a bigger than life soccer game. The objective of the game is simple, put the ball in your opponent’s goal. However, the ball is roughly the size of your car, your opponent can bump into you, use turbo, jump, do back-flips and front-flips, climb walls, and even make your car explode. But the good news is, so can you.
While this game may not have the breath-taking graphics or life like driving feel as some of the other racers in this list. Rocket League brings us back to the essence of gaming; simple unrealistic fun. Filled with customizable goofy features and an online gaming system, Rocket League takes one back to the days of balloon popping in Mario Kart and sweet headers in FIFA.
Forza Horizon 4:
Described as a celebration of all things on wheels, Forza Horizon 4 is precisely that. Through its stunning visual quality, sound design, and open world environment, FH4 retains everything which made its predecessor one of the best racers in its class.
However, this improved version comes with your choice of 450 licensed cars, each with their own set of customizable upgrades, a spectacular array of British landscapes, and dynamic seasonal changes. The weekly season changes bring about specific events and challenges; which combined with its PvP and co-op features make Forza Horizon 4, a game that never wants you to stop playing.
DiRT 4
Tough, down in the mud rally racing extravaganza; that is DiRT 4. Releases in June 2017 by Codemasters, DiRT 4 is a game which pits powerful cars up against the harshest environments. Its extensive career mode allows players to customize their name, appearance, age, and choice leaderboards. The game also comes in two different modes: “gamer mode” which gives players a more classic video game approach (fun and simple), and the more complicated “simulation mode”, which gives the driver a more realistic feel. The two modes are segregated in their leaderboard and online challenges, giving players a wider ranged experience, and adapting to the needs of both casual and serious players. Combined with its astonishing sound quality, unapologetic difficulty, and bone-chilling realism; DiRT 4 is a rally racer’s dream game.
By Karim Tinoco
