Assetto Corsa Evo is definitely one of the vital thrilling racing video games of 2025. The large open-world map of German countryside surrounding the well-known Nürburgring Nordschleife that developer Kunos Simulazioni is presently crafting for it ought to make it one of many largest within the style. Actually, that’s. The map goes to be 1,600 sq. kilometres in dimension. That’s about 15 Forza Horizon 5s. Nonetheless, we’ll should be affected person for that, as the primary chunk of it isn’t set to reach in Evo’s evolving early entry model till mid-year, after which develop from there. For now, not less than, we get 5 tracks and 20 vehicles to noodle round in. The excellent news is that the driving really feel is unsurprisingly fabulous, proper out of the gate. At this level, nevertheless, that’s… primarily it. It’s onerous to argue Evo makes a powerful case as an instantly essential buy on this early state in case you’re not particularly eager on taking some warm-up laps earlier than the principle occasion kicks off.
It’d be unfair to haul Assetto Corsa Evo over the coals too severely for its present technical blemishes. Sure, I’ve had it hitch up and drop frames often and, sure, it’s crashed or frozen on me a number of occasions following its launch – though I’ve actually had prolonged stints on-track the place it’s been fully cooperative on my present high-powered PC setup (RTX 4080, Intel Core Extremely 9 185H). Total, it’s admittedly not operating on all cylinders proper now, however that’s the character of ‘Early Access’ as an idea. We clearly should be ready for it to be somewhat extra Alpha Romeo than Alfa Romeo at this level.
And whereas 5 circuits and 20 out there vehicles is modest, it does make for an honest quantity of combos to experiment with – and that’s with out factoring within the adjustable moist climate choices that clearly have very actual results on dealing with. In the event you suppose you’ll be comfortable to easily hotlap solo across the preliminary tracks (which embrace Mount Panorama, Manufacturers Hatch, Imola, Laguna Seca, and Suzuka), Evo’s early entry model could preserve you busy for not less than a number of days. It’s actually value remembering the early entry program for Evo’s rapid predecessor, Assetto Corsa Competizione, launched with simply a single automobile and a single monitor – the Lamborghini Huracan GT3 race automobile and the Nürburgring GP circuit. By comparability, Evo’s launch is not less than a significantly chunkier one.
Furthermore, it’s a well-curated one. Discover, as an example, the primary salvo of circuits features a monitor from the US, Japan, the UK, continental Europe, and Australia. That’s a considerate combine that I don’t doubt was deliberate. Equally, the brief however candy automobile checklist features a spectrum of automobiles, starting from front-wheel drive hatches to purpose-built race fashions. The texture of the vehicles I’ve examined to this point has been prime notch. I gained’t faux to have the ability to gauge the accuracy of the tyre mannequin with the type of perception you would possibly glean from knowledgeable racing driver, as a result of I’m not one; I’m a automobile nerd journalist with a handful of trackdays in my previous that I’m skeptical I’ll ever have the ability to afford to repeat. What I can say is the feeling of grip is superb and I used to be immediately assured to push onerous throughout the highest of the mountain at Bathurst. Issues at all times get somewhat murky after I’m evaluating experiences gleaned a few years in the past utilizing completely completely different racing setups (I personally migrated from a Thrustmaster TS-XW racing wheel to a direct drive Moza R12 some years in the past), however Evo already appears to have nailed that feeling of having the ability to overdrive a automobile however nonetheless snap it again beneath management, as a result of the grip will return so long as you wrestle it again into the window. That at all times fits me, as I’m a bit extra of a butcher than a surgeon with regards to racing sims nowadays. Neglect the entire world turning into ice the second you slip right into a slide; Evo is splendidly intuitive.
In comparison with ACC, race vehicles additionally really feel rather less punishingly stiff and cling to the monitor extra tenaciously, even whereas clattering over bumps or kerbs. In ACC, I typically felt like I used to be going as quick as I might with out dropping management. In Evo, I’ve discovered I really feel like I might most likely push quicker. If I had the talent, that’s.
There’s additionally a very nice feeling of steadiness, particularly as vehicles squirm beneath braking, and the texture of the entrance finish turning into lighter and heavier primarily based on elevation modifications is good and pronounced.
So sure, within the custom of the unique Assetto Corsa and ACC earlier than it, Evo is already a genuinely terrific driving expertise. However does that make this primary style a must-play?
Proper now, no. Not likely. In the event you get it in the present day you’re primarily simply pre-ordering the ultimate recreation at a barely discounted value. That alone may very well be cause sufficient so that you can seize it, and it’s a very truthful argument. Nonetheless, apart from confirming it feels good, there’s simply not likely rather more pleasure to extract from Evo in the intervening time. As a person who peeled numerous demo discs from the entrance of magazines again in ’90s, I’ve actually acquired nothing towards what’s primarily a hefty demo, but it surely’s not one I actually need to preserve enjoying anymore after seeing all of its tracks. However I’ll positively be again for extra when it’s out there and a number of the extra annoying elements have been resolved.
Rank in the present day’s prime racing simulators
Rank in the present day’s prime racing simulators
Merely put, the racing itself simply isn’t that sturdy in the mean time, and it’s tedious being punted off monitor by computer-controlled opponents who merely attempt to drive by way of you round corners. I don’t know what the reply is, however the AI actually nonetheless wants work. There have positively been occasions when different vehicles gave the impression to be intentionally giving me racing room, and others the place they’ve made unscripted errors. That’s good, as a result of it creates the phantasm they’re not simply machines. It’s additionally true that getting speared into from behind is an unlucky actuality in actual racing. Incidents occur, certain. Nevertheless it’d be one thing that will occur to you fairly irregularly in actuality, whereas it’s far too widespread in Evo for racing to stay enjoyable. If I wished to get rear-ended for kicks, I’d brake-check Lance Stroll in a drive-thru.
That’s a fairly large drawback when these races are largely all Evo gives in its present situation. There have been alleged to be another modes out there, primarily based on what was introduced when the early entry model launched, however ever since I began enjoying Evo has been caught in ‘Offline’ mode. Evo’s Driving Academy mode and Particular Occasions are presently inaccessible to me. All I can do is generate customized apply or race classes. Tying performance to an always-online caveat may be very regarding, and I can’t fathom why it’s needed for single-player content material. Luckily, there’s nonetheless loads of time for Kunos to tweak that on the highway map forward.