iRacing

iRacing is widely regarded as one of the most realistic and competitive sim racing games available, offering a deep and immersive experience for racing enthusiasts. The game features a comprehensive ranking and matchmaking system based on safety rating and iRating, which helps pair players by skill and driving behavior. This structure promotes clean and fair racing, although some players find the penalty system unfair, often penalizing victims of crashes and not adequately addressing malicious drivers.

The game boasts a variety of racing disciplines, including sports cars, formula cars, dirt oval, and more, with frequent online races every 20 minutes. However, the pricing model is a common concern, as players must pay a subscription plus additional fees for cars and tracks, making it expensive compared to other sims. Graphics are praised for car detail but criticized for outdated environments. Technical issues with Steam integration and netcode glitches have also been reported. Despite these drawbacks, iRacing remains the top choice for serious sim racers seeking a realistic and competitive multiplayer experience.

Highlights

Players consistently praise iRacing's realistic driving physics and immersive racing feel, which closely mimic real-life racing. The robust matchmaking and ranking system based on safety and skill ratings is highly valued for fostering competitive and clean races. The game offers a wide variety of cars and racing disciplines, providing depth and diversity. Additionally, the online multiplayer scene is active with frequent races, and the detailed car models receive positive remarks. Many consider it the best sim racing game on the market for those serious about improving their racing skills.

Criticisms

Common criticisms focus on the high cost of the game, including the subscription model plus expensive additional content like cars and tracks. The penalty and safety rating system is often viewed as unfair, penalizing innocent players and failing to deter malicious driving effectively. Some players report netcode issues causing lag, teleporting, and phantom collisions, which harm the racing experience. The graphics outside of cars are considered outdated, and the Steam platform integration has caused problems with subscriptions and updates. New players also find the progression through lower safety classes frustrating due to aggressive or inexperienced drivers.