iRacing (2008)

This game should be played with investment to wheel and some add-ons. I for one have the Logitech G29 (Playstation Compatible), a Driving Force Shifter and play with mittens/gloves and socks on so as to preserve the material. A controller is possible but why would you do that with iRacing?

Some criticism is proper. There was one major downside I've experienced with it in the past: the force feedback feels wrong. This however, doesnt mean that that the game or car is unresponsive. In fact, it responds very well to the wheel if the optional force feedback is ignored. The game is also subscription-based and very few cars and tracks are free. For example, the famous Nurburgring costs around an additional $15.

It has the same license system as Gran Turismo and the next license requires a certain level of "safety rating". Mistakes are fatal to progression. Drive SLOW. This is why controllers are discouraged. Wheels have finer controls and the force feedback gives the feeling of weight that controllers cannot hope to achieve.

Is this the top tier of sim racing? I dunno. The cost is preventing me from fully testing the claim and the license system is difficult enough that I cannot proceed to the next one but one thing I can say is that it rewards a clean play. Dont play without preparation. Prior experience to racing sims is a must. You will get nowhere playing with an NFS attitude.

The best racing experience in PC. I am saying racing (not driving) because I think there are other games that may be better simulators (Assetto Corsa for example). But, there is no game able to offer you a racing experience like iRacing.

Most racing games offers you rooms where you can create races and competitions, but of course, most of the time are the same cars and the same circuits, and few people playing. iRacing offers you a calendar of three months with competitions already planned. You have to plan your season and decide what are you going to race. Moreover, the community is quite big, so there are always people to race with.

The rating system works quite well (is not perfect but it's good).

So in summary, not the best graphics, not the best simulation, no the best UI, it's quite expensive (pay to play and for contents).. but I didn't find any game that feels like racing. Gran Turismo, Assetto Corsa, Project Cars, .. a lot of alternatives and still preferring iRacing.

Moreover, you can race against professional drivers: Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, and others!