Video games have been around for more than four decades and have evolved considerably. In addition, game genres have matured to the brim, making old games no longer look like new ones. Categories such as first-person shooters and third-person open-world titles have become some of the most popular types of games in 2022.
Another genre is racing, which has become extremely popular over the years and has spawned titles such as Forza Horizon 5 and Gran Turismo. Unfortunately, these vehicle games don’t get as much attention as other titles on the market. That’s why many don’t get attention at launch. Here is a list of a few such racing games that became successful months after their release.
10 CarX Drift Racing Online
CarX Drift Racing Online is a 2017 simulation racing game with an emphasis on professional sports racing. It’s an immersive title where players get the chance to feel like trained racers as they make their way to the top. The game offers modes such as single player, online co-op and online PvP, all with a deep focus on realistic physics and customization.
CarX Drift Racing Online also offers unique tracks from different cities around the world and graphics similar to modern racing games. Despite all that, the game was bombed at launch as the Steam review scores prove it got the bulk of its player base at the end of 2020.
9 BeamNG.drive
BeamNG.drive is an inexpensive way to experience the best simulation-based racing on Steam. It is a physics based car driving game that offers fun gameplay, great visuals and lots of content. BeamNG.drive is value for money for players who want to enjoy realistic driving.
The game uses a patented soft-body physics engine that simulates every moving part in a car, making the game extremely realistic. It also supports a variety of computer specifications and only requires a 1 GB graphics card and 8 GB of ram. The game has been on Steam since 2015, but only became immensely popular at the end of 2019.
8 Assetto Corsa
Assetto Corsa was once an unheard of game from a fairly small developer. However, it has become extremely popular over the years and has “Very Positive” review scores on Steam. The game is known as a very good car simulation title that focuses on racing and driving in the most realistic way possible.
Assetto Corsa offers a dozen different add-ons and a quality experience that most games cannot capture these days. The game page claims activato is the “NEXT GENERATION RACING SIMULATOR”, which is obvious given its popularity and virtual reality support. Although the game came out in 2014, it really managed to capture engagement five years later.
7 descenders
Ubisoft’s Riders Republic came out in 2021, but it seems that a big reason for its existence is the popularity of the game from 2018 descenders. The cycling game is an “extreme downhill freeriding” experience that focuses on the popular BMX sport. It is an action bike game that offers single player, online PvP and stunt based gameplay.
descenders currently have “Overwhelmingly Positive” reviews on Steam, but when it first launched in 2018, the game didn’t attract much attention. The game has been getting positive ratings since early 2020, months after it officially came out on Steam.
6 DiRT Rally 2.0
Almost everyone knows the popular Soil series, one of if not the best Codemasters racing games. The off road car simulation games are known for their great physics based gameplay and close racing that keeps the players engaged all the time.
Dirty Rally 2 takes that to another level by focusing on the rallying aspect of the popular sport and giving players access to locations around the world. Unfortunately, the popular off-road game was bombed at launch. Steam review scores show it only got 100-200 reviews per month for nearly eight months.
5 wreck party
wreck party is a simulation-based racing game that focuses on Burnout-style destruction mechanics. It is a demolition derby title and uses its in-game realistic physics to bring out the violent sport in all its glory. wreck party offers advanced driving dynamics and in-depth upgrades, as well as more traditional track races and demolition derbies.
The best thing about this game is its unique concept that players can’t find in most other games. This could be why it has a very positive score after being ignored for years.
4 Flat Out 2
Flatout 2 is an old game that originally came out in 2006. It is a sequel to the 2004 racing game of the same name, which received moderate reception at launch. Like its predecessor, Flatout 2 also received average review scores after its release. However, the game now has an “Overwhelmingly Positive” user rating on Steam, which is a testament to its greatness.
The second flat out game is a battle-based arcade racing game that is popular for its classic gameplay and fun old-school mini-games. The review score chart on Steam shows that the game has grown steadily among players since 2020.
3 iRacing
iRacing is a good car sim that is famous among players who like realistic racing and yearn for a virtual career in the sport. The game’s main page describes it as the world’s best motorsport racing game, and there are a few good reasons for that. iRacing is a membership-based MMO where players can define their legacy and build friendships just like they would in the real world.
Players can find more than 150 cars and tracks in the game, 40 official series, 800 private leagues and much more. After launching in 2015, the game received 2-5 reviews per month until it blew out in 2020, when VR became more accessible.
2 Trackmania United Forever
Trackmania United Forever is a Ubisoft game that is still for sale on Steam due to its active player base. It is a unique arcade racer that focuses on time-attack gameplay and spectacular tracks. As for the content, Trackmania United Forever offers four single player modes, seven types of vehicles, team-based multiplayer modes and great graphics.
Moreover, it comes with a level editor for those who want to build unique and crazy numbers and play out their fantasies. The game originally came out on Steam in 2008 but has been getting quite active play lately.
1 MX vs ATV Reflex
MX vs ATV Reflex is a motocross racer title that became one of the best games THQ has ever released. It is an offroad sports title about action and performing stunts. Most players like some cool features in this game, including ‘devastating environments’ and ‘death-killing tricks’. MX vs ATV Reflex offers dual controls where players can control the rider and their vehicle separately in the game.
In addition, the course changes continuously with each round, which makes the game unpredictable and fun. The steam rating score chart shows that the game was bombed for four years at launch before it started getting reviews from people and becoming a “Very Positive” title on the platform.
0 Comments