The Best Xbox Racing Games Available In 2017
2017 has been a good year for Xbox One racing games, and things are only going to get better with the likes of Forza Motorsport 7, Project CARS 2 and Need for Speed Payback still set to race onto the Xbox One console before 2017 crosses the finish line.
With so many racing games on the Xbox One to choose from already, here’s a list of the five best Xbox One racing games currently available in 2017.
Forza Horizon 3
Forza Horizon 3 takes the winning formula from previous releases in the series and improves upon them in almost every way. The expansive roster of cars are all beautifully designed right down to the smallest detail. The setting is stunning with very few walls and boundaries to inhibit your freedom, and now you can experience all of the fun in four-player co-op with the added bonus of being able to customise almost every aspect of each race to your choosing. Quite simply, Forza Horizon 3 is the pinnacle of open-world racers available on the Xbox One.
DiRT Rally
Dirt Rally is a true return to form for Codemasters’ Dirt franchise and may be the company’s best title to date. The developer set out to create the most realistic rally simulation available, something they have quite stunningly achieved. For some, the increased realism will come at a price, pushing the difficulty out of the reach of beginners and arcade racers, but for those prepared to put more effort and time into the title, there is a hard-earned but genuinely rewarding experience to be had.
F1 2017
Building on last year’s already successful iteration, F1 2017 has been tweaked, polished and refined. On top of all that, a whole load of new content has been added making it feel that there are almost two games in one. There’s more to motorsport than just driving speedily around tracks and this year’s installment has done its best to capture this. The massively expanded research and development tree and the new engine management system bring an extra level of detail that might frustrate the more casual player but that no doubt delights true Formula 1 fans. The racing remains as good as ever for all levels of drivers and with all of the new championships and invitationals, short track variants and classic cars, there is plenty of racing to be done. In short, this is possibly the most complete F1 title for a long time, and arguably the best in the franchise.
Forza Motorsport 6
Forza Motorsport 6 isn’t for everyone and the chances are that you will know in advance if this is the type of game that you would like to try. For those of you that have even the slightest interest in cars or racing, you’ll be treated to some of the finest, most immersive racing action that you can find short of doing the real thing. With a wide choice of assists and difficulties available, it’s ideal for both newcomers and hardcore racing fans alike.
There are certainly improvements that Turn 10 could make, such as dynamic time of day and weather and a less linear career mode that allowed access to better cars earlier. However, they are very minor annoyances that can be easily overlooked due to the quality of everything else that the game has to offer. With stunningly detailed visuals, sound and physics to match, a huge roster of cars to drive, and new wet and night races that add another dimension to the gameplay, this is a bigger and better Forza than we have ever seen before.
Project CARS
Project CARS is now a complete package and a deep and engaging racing sim. Marketed as “For Racers by Racers” with gamers not even mentioned, it’s clear at whom the title is aimed. Fully patched with a fuller catalog of cars and even more circuits, there is little left to complain about. The racing is as good, as real and as uncompromising as it gets on the console and it is a truly exhilarating experience. Prospective drivers will have to work hard for it but, ultimately, for those prepared to work and put in the effort, there is a massively rewarding driving experience here.
