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The racing games you must play in 2017
The hottest racers coming in the next 12 months, from Gran Turismo Sport to Project CARS 2.
These racing games will drive us to distraction
© Project CARS
Last year was a blockbuster year for driving games. From the stunning Forza Horizon 3 (we're pretty sure we’ll get a new Forza game this year, but it's not been confirmed) to the ever trustworthy and enjoyable F1 2016, there was plenty for everyone to play.
In fact, much like Street Fighter IV reinvigorated the fighting game genre and encouraged more developers to get back into it, the abundance and high quality of the current crop of racing games means fans are enjoying a terrific amount of choice for their favourite genre.
There's no time for a pit stop though as 2017 looks set to go even further, and not only deliver on some potential classics, but also bring back some beloved franchises along the way. These are the ones that should be on your radar this year.
Gran Turismo Sport
A Gran Turismo game doesn't actually come around all that often. In fact, since the first PlayStation game in 1998 it's almost weird to think that Sony haven't milked the franchise in the slightest, as 2013 saw the most recent main series entry with Gran Turismo 6. These are games where the development time is long, to ensure a high quality end product.
GT Sport will be the series' first game on Sony's current generation hardware, and that means we're likely to get some outrageously good visuals, with some 4K TV support, too. On top of that, well, we know we're going to get some realistic sim-racing, but maybe the 'Sport' angle will afford a more relaxed feel. What we do know is that it'll have a VR mode, and that Sony are attempting to push the game into the eSports arena, with live competitions that'll happen regularly.
It may have been a long wait for the PS4's first Gran Turismo, but we think this one will be a stunner.
Project CARS 2
Project CARS 2
© Slightly Mad Studios
Rumoured for a September release, Project CARS 2 looks like it'll be another gorgeous, but hyper realistic sim racer. Slightly Mad Studios are behind the game, and they're a team made up of industry veterans that have worked on the Need for Speed and Test Drive franchises, but are also a team that are all about making the game for their community.
They plan to test the game through their crowdfunding platform, while making a game that will have more disciplines than before, a co-op career, over 50 unique locations, and will have a major social element. Like Sony, Slightly Mad intend to push eSports with Project CARS 2, and we think they may well succeed.
Need for Speed 2017
Need for Speed 2017
© EA
Unfortunately we don't know a huge amount about this year's Need for Speed, but it was revealed via a blog by developer Ghost Games. While the 2015 reboot was met with a variety of emotion, it must not be forgotten that the studio also worked on the fantastic Need for Speed Rivals, which showcased some superb ideas.
If Ghost Games and EA can strike the balance between their two Need for Speed games, and perhaps drop the FMV story, this could be something special. We can certainly be confident that, if all else fails, it'll look and sound phenomenal.
Assetto Corsa
Your racing game of 2016, Assetto Corsa
© Kunos Simulazioni
Why is this game on the list, you're saying? It's already out, and we know you loved it, because you voted it the best racing game of 2016. But the team at Kunos Simulazioni aren't suddenly dropping the game, and have big plans for 2017.
According to the developer's end of year blog, this year will see new features, new content, new DLC, and free cars and bonus tracks. "It's time also for some new free bonus cars, like the Mazda 787B, the Miata NA, the new Maserati Quattroporte and the new Audi TT," they say, and there also appear to be plans afoot to celebrate 70 years of Ferrari. Don't stop playing this one yet, folks, because there's much more coming.
Road Rage
You'd have to go back some years now, to find the last time a Road Rash game was released. Sixteen in fact, to Road Rash: Jailbreak on the OG PlayStation. Where has it been all these years? Perhaps in the lead up to the 2017 version, we'll find out.
Taking place in an open world city, it looks like it definitely channels the spirit of its inspiration, but it's more story based, and almost looks like a GTA like game, only on motorbikes. All the time. Basically, you're going to drive around on motorbikes hitting people with chains and pipes. We're in.
WipEout Omega Collection
If you're not old enough to have played a WipEout game, we feel sorry for you. The blistering high-speed excitement of the original 1995 PlayStation game was improved only by the PS3 game WipEout HD, and the expansion pack Fury.
Omega Collection, then, is the two PS3 games and WipEout 2048 (PS Vita) bundled together and remastered with 4K, HDR visuals, at 60 frames per second. When released, the series has always looked amazing, had outrageously good soundtracks, and just felt futuristic and gamey in a way few racing games do. Short of announcing a new Destruction Derby game, there's little more Sony could be doing for the genre right now.
A whopping 26 tracks, 46 ships, online and offline multiplayer, and those brand new, shiny visuals mean we can't wait to play this, and thanks to it being a remaster, we already know it'll be amazing.
DiRT 4
Are you good enough to handle a WRC car?
© Codemasters
Rally fans have plenty to be excited about, as following on from DiRT Rally, Codemasters has got a new installment in the series on the way in the form of DiRT 4. You can choose whether you want to play it in a more sim-focused way like DiRT Rally, or you can slip and slide your way in an arcade fashion just like the previous numbered titles – it's all down to you, and how you want to play the game. You can even race against pro drivers in their own events, and try and tackle their fastest times on stages across the world.
Throw in plenty of new cars and tracks, fresh game modes to whip around, and even a new 'Your Stage' mode that lets you create your very own perfect drift track – there's lots to take in here. Look forward to it dropping later this year in June on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.
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