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Best Open-World Racing Games

Open-world gaming has become a powerful commercial force in the industry today, with many iconic IPs ditching their tried and tested gameplay formulas to try and get a piece of the success, including famously linear franchises like Sonic, which announced an upcoming open-world game titled Sonic Frontiers. Unfortunately, this has led to numerous lackluster releases that shoehorn in an underwhelming open world for marketing and advertising purposes. Still, when an open-world game is done right, it can create a fantastic gameplay experience for the player that is hard to top.

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When people think of open-world gaming, they tend to imagine action-adventure games and RPGs. Although these genres do indeed dominate the open-world market, there have also been a handful of fantastic racing games over the years that take place in enormous game-worlds that players are free to drive around and explore. The following games on this list all struck gold with excellent driving mechanics, interesting events, and tantalizing open worlds that are begging to be explored.

Updated July 14, 2022 by Ritwik Mitra: Open-world racing games have become all the rage in modern times. Players love getting into the driver’s seat of their favorite car and tearing through these vast and engaging landscapes. That being said, it’s anything but easy to make a good open-world for a racing game. Thankfully, the following titles got the memo and are arguably the best open-world racing games around today.

10/10 Need For Speed Heat

Need for Speed Heat is the latest game in the series and a pretty great one at that. It’s clear that the developers, Ghost Games, learned from their work on the past few NFS games and went all out in a bid to try and modernize the series.

They did so brilliantly, with Need for Speed Heat being their best work by far. It’s a shame that the studio was relegated to a less active role, although the fact that NFS was going back to Criterion Games was still a source of joy for many players.

9/10 Assetto Corsa

A racing simulation game that looks gorgeous and feels realistic, there’s a reason why so many players love Assetto Corsa. Players who don’t want to stick with a pure arcade experience will have a great time with this title.

It’s a great game for fans of open-world racers, featuring a ton of interesting and unique locales to explore. It also helps that the game itself has some great cars that make it a blast to explore this world every single time.

8/10 Need For Speed (2015)

Ghost Games’ first attempt at an NFS game was a truly admirable effort. The amazing atmosphere of Need for Speed (2015) is worthy of a mention in itself, with the races being a blast to get through.

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The main story might’ve been slightly cheesy, but it served as a good source of motivation to get through the races in this title. Drifting and boosting around the streets of this game made for a really great time indeed.

7/10 Forza Horizon 4

The Forza Horizon series is a pretty easy pick for this list. These games feature excellent racing that’s a ton of fun without being too realistic either. Forza Horizon 4 is a great game to play for fans of racing titles. The amazing graphics and stellar gameplay place it a cut above the rest when it comes to open-world racing games.

6/10 BeamNG.drive

BeamNG.drive is a racing simulation game that is an absolute joy to play. Crashing a car in this game is more satisfying than frustrating because of how realistic and fun the damage mechanics of the car really are.

The user-made content ensures that players will be able to sink a ton of hours into this game. BeamNG.drive might be one of the more hardcore games on this list, but players who get into this title will have a great time indeed.

5/10 Test Drive Unlimited 2

Test Drive Unlimited 2 was developed by Eden Games and released in November 2011 on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC. The game featured a stunning open-world for its time based on the real-life island of Oahu, which is the third-largest Hawaiian Island, as well as the Spanish island of Ibiza. Along with the fantastic world design, Test Drive Unlimited 2 also impressed fans and critics with its wide range of vehicles on offer, with asphalt cars, off-road vehicles, classic cars, and motorcycles all available to drive.

The game features a simple but enjoyable campaign where the player is tasked with winning a range of tournaments, with the goal being to earn the Solar Crown.

4/10 The Crew 2

The Crew 2 was released on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One in June 2018. The game differentiates itself from most other racing games with the variety in vehicle types on offer, as along with a plethora of cars and motorbikes to choose from, players can also drive boats and planes. The goal of the game is to become a success in the four vehicle disciplines: Pro Racing, Street Racing, Off-Road, and Freestyle.

TheCrew 2 was nominated for Best Racing game at the Game Critic Awards in 2018, though it lost out to Forza Horizon 4. Interestingly, rumors recently surfaced about a potential The Crew 3 release set in Hawaii after a dataminer found screenshots of something called Project Orlando.

3/10 Burnout Paradise

Prior to Burnout Paradise‘s release, the Burnout series was synonymous with over-the-top, arcade-style street racing action. Consequently, when it was announced that 2008’s Burnout Paradise would be implementing an open-world, many people were unhappy, as they felt like it was an unnecessary addition that would detract from the events.

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However, it soon became clear that Criterion Games and Electronic Arts knew what they were doing, as post-release data showed that «90 percent of players didn’t even touch the races,» opting instead to «focus on the game’s social features and explore the big new world. » It’s not hard to understand why, as although the game’s events were still great, the joy of simply driving around the meticulously crafted world was an absolute delight and unlike anything else at the time. In many ways, its open-world driving was comparable to Grand Theft Auto 5, five years before Rockstar’s game was released.

Interestingly, this surprising revelation sparked a drastic shift in how AAA developers perceived and made open-world games, making Burnout Paradise one of the most influential open-world games of all time.

2/10 Need For Speed: Underground 2

Need for Speed: Underground 2 was released all the way back in 2004, which makes the game all the more impressive considering how rare open-world games were at the time, largely due to hardware limitations.

Along with its open-world, EA’s Need for Speed: Underground 2 stood out with its stellar customization options, the story-driven campaign that was presented through comic strip-style cutscenes, and its memorable soundtrack. As for the racing itself, Need for Speed: Underground 2 had a great range of different game modes for players to choose from, including Drag Racing, Drifting, Circuit Race, and Street X mode, where four racers compete in tight, narrow tracks.

1/10 Forza Horizon 5

Forza Horizon 5 is the most recent entry on this list, having hit stores as recently as November 2021. The game doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel, offering a similar core gameplay experience to its predecessor, Forza Horizon 4, but with an entirely new map. Forza Horizon 5 is set in a fictional representation of Mexico on a wonderfully diverse map with a vast range of different biomes for players to explore.

Forza Horizon 5 was a huge hit with fans and critics, exemplified by its 92 critic score and 8.4 user score on Metacritic. The game also performed exceptionally well at end-of-year award shows, picking up numerous accolades, including Best Sports/Racing Game at The Game Awards.

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Top 17 Best Open-World Racing Games

Table of Contents[Hide][Show]

#17 Need For Speed Unbound
#16 Motor Town: Behind The Wheel
#15 CarX Drift Racing
#14 Car Mechanic Simulator 2021
#13 Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy — Definitive Edition
#12 Forza Horizon 4
#11 Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered
#10 Grand Theft Auto V
#9 The Crew 2
#8 SnowRunner
#7 Driver: San Francisco
#6 My Summer Car
#5 BeamNG.drive
#4 Burnout Paradise: Remastered
#3 Assetto Corsa
#2 Need for Speed Heat
#1 Forza Horizon 5
Dakar 18

Racing games aren’t usually the first thing people imagine when they hear “open world,” but you’d be surprised. Whether it’s exploring the city for a fun diversion or zooming down the open road looking for interesting tracks and challenges, here are our picks for the best open-world racing games across PC and consoles.

#17 Need For Speed Unbound

Developer: Criterion Games
Publisher: Electronic Arts Inc.
Platfrom : PC PS5 XSX|X
Release Date : December 02, 2022

Many racing titles have tried to shed the shackles of just being a “racing game” and let you have fun in a more open way as you drive through the locations.

Need For Speed Unbound is the latest title to enact that feeling. You’ll be in the city of Lakeshore, where a massive competition called The Grand is about to begin. The 4-week competition will put you against some of the best street racers around, and you’ll have to be on top of your game to win.

Customize your car to look slick as you drive it, and tweak it to fit your driving style. Just remember, the ultimate goal is to win.

#16 Motor Town: Behind The Wheel

While you won’t find Motor Town: Behind The Wheel to be the most visually impressive game, it has its own unique style. This is a game all about driving. Players take on different jobs in the hopes of earning money, which can be used to fund new vehicles or upgraded parts. Everything is here, whether you’re wanting a competitive racing game, to work as a taxi driver, to deliver cargo for a trucking company, or to be a school bus driver. Players also enjoy the realistic physics this game offers. Currently, Motor Town: Behind The Wheel is in early access on Steam with Overwhelmingly Positive reviews and a 10/10 Steam rating.

#15 CarX Drift Racing

CarX Drift Racing is all about tweaking your vehicles to perform their best as you drift along different courses. You’ll get to tune your vehicles for different tracks in cities around the world. Ultimately, the more you drift, the more points you’ll rank up. With that said, it’s worth mentioning that this game features a few different DLC packs. These will grant you different skins or vehicles. Regardless, the base game has been well received since it launched in 2017, and for the low price, it’s an easy sell.

#14 Car Mechanic Simulator 2021

Car Mechanic Simulator 2021 is precisely what it sounds like. The game puts players into the shoes of a mechanic at a garage. Whether you find these beat-up cars at old farms or you buy them in auctions, it’s all about getting cars and flipping them for a profit. With the latest installment, players are given even more tools of the trade to help make the job easier. There are also new parts and aspects to maintain from the vehicles, such as fluids. Of course, when you’re not fixing up cars, you can test them out yourself by driving around.

#13 Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – Definitive Edition

Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy combines three games into a singular edition remastered for the PS5. Giving players full access to the iconic worlds of Grand Theft Auto III, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas on new generation platforms, players can choose from a wide variety of cars to store at their homes and drive around at their leisure. That is, when you aren’t caught up in the chaos of San Andreas or in the mobster career of Tommy Vercetti in Vice City.

Racing isn’t the only way to engage with cars in GTA. While there are racing segments in each game, we wouldn’t call that the goal or main focus of the Grand Theft Auto series. As most gamers already know, the fun in Grand Theft Auto is messing around in the open world. To some, that may mean blasting a rocket launcher off a skyscraper toward unsuspecting civilians. To others, it may mean trying to survive a 5-star police chase. The sky’s the limit in these classic titles.

#12 Forza Horizon 4

The Forza Motorsport franchise offers players the simulation racer of their dreams. Surpassing other franchises in the marketplace, it offered an Xbox alternative to PlayStation’s Gran Turismo IP. Forza Horizon 4 is a blend of simulation and arcade-style gameplay, so players can expect the best of both worlds.

This time around, we’re thrown into a fictionalized Great Britain with the benefit of a dynamic weather system as well as seasons. There’s also a rather large map featuring different terrains, including rough terrains perfect for traversing in a rally car or city streets made for a beefed-up muscle car. As you probably could have expected, there are customization options for players to use to really tweak their car for performance or cosmetics.

#11 Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered

Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered is a racing game that brings Cops and Robbers to the next level. A remaster of the original Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit which came out over a decade ago, players will have to think quick whether they’re on the run from the law or chasing down criminals. The entire city is your playground and the possibilities are near limitless when it comes to discovering new routes and shortcuts.

#10 Grand Theft Auto V

Grand Theft Auto V is a great example of open-world game design that encourages players to venture outside of their main storyline objectives. Set in the fictional state of San Andreas in California, the game features a mixture of open countryside and city-based settings. The fictional city of Los Santos was based on modern-day Los Angeles, which lends a feeling of authenticity to the gameplay in a way that many players have really connected with. Players have a massive city to race around in a wide range of cars that are constantly getting expanded online. To really make use of the races, your best bet would be playing Grand Theft Auto Online as you’ll get a wider range of races.

#9 The Crew 2

Originally released for the PS4, The Crew 2 puts you in the shoes of an ambitious racer looking to become the best land, air, and sea racer on the planet. You’ll compete with 4 different families of racers unlocking specific car bodies and parts per family. The game really shines in its recreation of the United States–players can explore The Rocky Mountains, lock into the grid of New York City, or drive along the Mississippi River. As usual, the cars are customizable and have unlockable parts based on rarity that you can earn throughout the game.

#8 SnowRunner

While not necessarily a racing game, SnowRunner is more of an open-world-driving sim with RPG elements. You’ll drive a variety of trucks over challenging terrain transporting materials to complete tasks which will help you navigate the map more easily. You’ll deliver materials for drilling contracts, build pipelines, restore railways, rebuild truck factories, and much more. The game features 3 different regions, from the winding mountain paths in Michigan to the rugged peninsula of Northern Russia. Each region brings about its own environment with different challenges.

If you’re looking for a cooperative game, this one is for you! SnowRunner features crossplay between Xbox One, PS4, and Nintendo Switch platforms.

#7 Driver: San Francisco

The fifth installment in the Driver series, this 2012 game sees players exploring a fictional version of San Fransisco while solving missions in a collection of swanky real-world cars. The title allows players to switch to any car mid-mission without having to start over. Since you’re controlling a cop, the game is all about catching the bad guys–but the game also includes an impressive cops and robbers split-screen mode. Police chases and old-school fun with friends? Sign us up.

Unfortunately, the game has been delisted online which means you’ll need to hunt down a physical copy to enjoy it. However, there is a petition online that’s gained traction, pulling in over 100,000 signatures pleading for Ubisoft to bring this game back for players to purchase once again online.

#6 My Summer Car

My Summer Car is a bit of a wacky simulation game. Players are given a small garage and parts to assemble their car, asking them to do everything from constructing the motor to applying the finish. From there, you’re able to roam the open world, complete missions, earn money, and further upgrade your car. There’s also a survival element to this game as well, with players needing to watch the protagonist’s vital signs such as hunger, thirst, and when they need to use the restroom.

Right now, the title is only in early access on Steam, but it’s been a hit. You’ve likely seen YouTube videos or streamers enjoying it, and for good reason. It’s a great game to play when you want to laugh with your friends.

#5 BeamNG.drive

BeatmNG.drive is a unique racing game as it’s mainly a means to showcase a more accurate physics engine. The video game highlights the soft-body physics that the developers put into the game. When players go through the races or simply drive around in the open-world map, anytime you hit something, you’ll see the vehicle behave a bit more realistically.

From metal caving in or bending from either a hard hit or a small fender bender, the physics are frighteningly accurate. This game is still in early access since being launched in 2015, so it’s tough to say when we can expect the full game to launch. Either way, if you love cars, this is a curious little title to add to your library.

#4 Burnout Paradise: Remastered

Originally released in 2008, Burnout Paradise Remastered is a racing game defined by destruction. Smash the NO2 to speed up or smash your opponents in this high-energy arcade racer designed to allow you to cruise for hours on end in Paradise City. The game handles very well and has some cool visual effects like the screen shaking or showers of sparks shooting up behind your vehicle as you tear up the city streets. You’ll find yourself not only driving a car but also switching to a motorcycle from time to time. The game also features multiplayer and a versus mode called Cops and Robbers.

#3 Assetto Corsa

Assetto Corsa is an enigma among the other games on this list. While others feature high-octane races with dramatic jumps and stunts, Assetto Corsa remains grounded in reality. Take to the streets while actually feeling the weight of the car you’re driving and watch your momentum. Realistic driving physics are the name of the game here, making this a more immersive experience.

This game is full of different maps both official and mod-created. Fans have created all kinds of different maps, from the L.A. Canyons to the Shuto Expressway in Japan. There’s an active community online that’s constantly adding more open-world maps, so jump in.

#2 Need for Speed Heat

Originally released for the PS4 and Xbox One, Need for Speed: Heat is an open-world racer that features a day and night mode. During the day, you can partake in sanctioned races, allowing you to earn money to purchase new cars. At night, you can take part in illegal street racing which earns you a reputation to purchase new gear. Both times of day are switchable and are not dynamic. The game also features an app allowing you to customize your cars from your phone.

The game looks like a really fun arcade racer, but perhaps a little dead when it comes to the population of the world. Either way, the racing bit is top-notch.

#1 Forza Horizon 5

What started as a spin-off from the stricter Motorsport series, Forza Horizon has continued to grow with each iteration. From America to the UK and right back to Mexico (albeit fictionalized versions of each), Horizon boasts some of the lushest graphics and realistic interpretations of era-defining cars for petrolheads to play around with. There’s also plenty to see and do, taking in gorgeous views as you find hidden cars, coves, and collectibles along the way. You’ll also be dealing with a number of weather conditions, from dust storms to tropical downpours.

Bonus

Dakar 18

Developed by Deep Silver, Dakar 18 is a game based on an intensive annual off-road rally race organized by the same group behind the Tour De France.

The game is absolutely massive, featuring over 11,000 miles of explorable land split between South American countries Bolivia, Argentina, and Peru. The environment is also completely dynamic, simulating a real environmental cycle. Besides the in-depth exploration aspect, you’ll also be able to compete in races online and offline in three different modes: Rookie, Competitor, and Legend. In Rookie Mode, players have a compass and vehicles are more difficult to repair. In Competitor Mode, there is no compass, vehicles are more fragile, and repairs cost more points. Legend Mode is unlocked once the player beats competitor mode.

A selection of story-driven open world games for weak PCs and laptops — DTF games

The video game industry has been around for many years, and over the years there have been many amazing projects that, for one reason or another, you might have missed. In this collection, you will get acquainted with amazing story-driven open-world games for weak PCs and laptops, which are still capable of wiping out the nose of many modern AAA projects.

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Mercenaries 2: World in Flames

Game discontinued

Our selection opens with a third-person action movie about the everyday life of crazy mercenaries in Venezuela.
In Mercenaries 2: World in Flames the player will have to understand the ups and downs of the military conflict, while trying to stay alive. A well-thought-out destruction system, a lot of weapons and vehicles, as well as fervent metal, should not leave anyone indifferent.