If you’re a fan of racing games, the rest of 2014 is going to be good to you. There are four racing titles coming out before the end of the year: Driveclub, Forza Horizon 2, Project Cars, and The Crew. Each of these games not only look great, but have completely different personalities.
We had a chance to play all four of these racers at this year’s E3. What we learned is that they’re not only different, but excel in distinct ways.
So how do each of these games, despite belonging to the same genre, manage to impress? Below you’ll find out.
Driveclub: The Pretty One (PS4)
Made by the same team that created the fantastic WRC and Motorstorm games, Driveclub is the only racer in the bunch coming to one platform, and that single platform is the PS4, which just so happens to be remarkably powerful. There are a few benefits to the development team being able to focus on a release on one platform, most important of which is that the game is optimized to be visually remarkable. Even early builds showed a game that could very well become the most beautiful racing game we’ve ever seen.
Driveclub doesn’t win on numbers; it’ll have about 55 track variations and 50 cars. However, what the game lacks in quantity it makes up for with quality. Each real-world car, from the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta to the Aston Martin Vanquish, are impeccably modeled inside and out. Two variations of cockpit camera view allow you to sit yourself in these monsters and plow through lengthy tracks.
Related: Driveclub Hands-On Preview
Speaking of which, Driveclub has a unique track structure. Most of its races take place on point-to-point tracks through various types of outdoor environments. The thousands of trees and beautiful vistas in the background aren’t 2D facades like you see in most other games, they’re fully rendered. The result is a delightful cruise through through majestic scenery. If there’s one racing game where you won’t mind not coming in second place, it’s Driveclub. Staring at the scenery will totally be worth it.
Forza Horizon 2: The Veteran (Xbox One, Xbox 360)
Forza Horizon 2 wins the numbers game with an open-world filled with over 200 cars. It has benefited greatly from being the latest iteration of a successful franchise.
Set in Italy in France, its environments have been directly cast from our real-world cast using new imaging and scanning technology. So yes, it’s going to be a good-looking game with detailed environments, but it’s how that real estate is utilized that makes the game such an exciting prospect.
Forza Horizon 2 will have a day/night cycle as well as a weather system at launch. It’ll also feature a much more polished version of Forza 5‘s Drivatar system. Basically, even the A.I. opponents you race against will behave like real players. While in some cases that’s a bad thing, it adds a very unpredictable, human-like quality to the racing experience in single-player. That said, you can play online, too.
Related: Forza Horizon 2 Gameplay and Interview
Made better, the game structure is non-linear with a series of dynamic challenges called Bucket List. You”ll constantly have new and unique racing scenarios pop up on your map that allow you to perform a variety of tasks.
Also, there will be a lot of customization that allows you to add personal flavor to your vehicle. You can then hop online and share your cars with others using Car Meets. Think Forzavista but online.
Project Cars: Simulation for the Enthusiast (PC, PS4, Xbox One, Wii U)
If you’re a car enthusiast like myself, nothing can replace a racing simulator. For that, there’s Project Cars, a game that was built from the ground up to provide a realistic experience to players.
Although Gran Turismo and Forza—not Forza Horizon, mind you—have been the kings of the jungle when it comes to mainstream racing simulation, Project Cars has tons of flavor of its own. For one, it prioritizes the thrill of progression. You’ll participate in qualifying runs before advancing to a series of demanding races, all spanning different days leading to different weather conditions to adjust to. If you perform well, you’ll earn accolades and receive endorsements. In other words, the game simulates the life of a racing professional.
Related: Project Cars Gameplay Trailer
The racing isn’t just limited to the exotics you’re used to see on posters. You have Le Mans’ endurance beasts, Grand Touring beauties, open-wheel F1 racing, and more. If you’re the type who has ever sat down to watch European racing, this game is perfect for you.
Most important of all, the handling and physics in Project Cars have received a ton of attention during development. This is a game that does everything it can to simulate some of the world’s most powerful road warriors. Fewer than 1% of people ever get to sit behind the wheel of some of these cars, and for the many that wish they could there’s Project Cars.
The Crew: An Open World Haven (PC, PS4, Xbox One)
Out of the bunch, The Crew is going to be the easiest to market. Its open-world environment is unparalleled, recreating the beauty and flavor of the United States’ vast territory, requiring more than 120 minutes to drive across without in-game loading screens. No other racing game can come close to matching its scope.
In that massive amount of space there are tons of things to do. If you prefer single-player, there will be more than 20 hours of content, and a variety of missions to complete. There are even a ton of mini-games that range in style from slalom to jumps. It seeks to entertain.
Related: The Crew Hands-On Preview
Where The Crew really stands out is how it presents an RPG-esque type of experience online. You and your friends can create a crew, and build a reputation by participating in friendly and not-so-friendly missions. These scenarios take advantage of the massive world size by peppering different types of races and online interactions across the map.
It goes without saying that The Crew packs tremendous value.
