Debating getting the game

[Augustus_V_Ren]

Hello. I feel like im abut to go on a long speech here but yh lol.
Looking for a new racing game to play now as i am moving away from the f1 games. Found them to be stale and boring especially with the release of the new game. Its starting to follow the common trend of EA games where they release a bad game just to release a slightly better game the year after and disguise it as a step in the right direction (angry football player that hates madden here). Also not a fan of the t-cam view used in the game and the unrealistic way the car drives especially when you watch how the elite (esports, which i am nowhere close to) drivers play which frustrates me quite a bit. Plus the engine sounds on F123 just suck. I love formula 1 and have only ever played the f1 games. Everything i had gotten for racing was because of this (vr, a gaming laptop(3080), and wheel(gt dd pro)), so this is a huge step for me to move away from this.
Although i have only played the f1 games, i do follow all of sim racing as a whole, so id say im quite knowledgeable on things (i hope). My main interest would be in racing formula (or open wheeled, not sure if there is a difference) cars on whichever game i play. This rules out ACC for me (as I also seem to have a dislike towards GT3 cars. Just watching them drive seems so slow and not a fan of how the car looks and feels to drive from all my time watching them). Also I race in vr primarily now and do not wish to give this up anytime soon. so this is extremely important for me. The options that seem best to me include AMS2, AC, Iracing and RF2.
My circumstances as a uni student seem to exclude Iracing as a viable choice although I am a big multiplayer person. Plus the graphics looks really outdated to me (I know its old). AC ultimate edition is currently on sale, and while i might still get it (I know the true potential of the games is by using mods, which I don't mind doing), the game is almost 10 years old and would not be my go to sim to play everyday. I have watched a lot of videos on this, old and new, and have seen how far automobilista 2 has come and what is still being done to improve it. Watched a video on youtube showing the old f1 cars (90's car on Adelaide) racing on ams2 and it just looked better than anything id seen the cars and driving looked amazing and epic.
I'll be honest, i am not the best at detecting physics in a game (maybe because the only one i've played had NONE or im just numb) so hearing some of the reviews (old videos on youtube before the 1.5 update coming) for and against AMS2 physics is a bit confusing. I hear the VR in ams2 is really good which is really big for me. One of my main worries of going into a sim game is putting money into a game then a new one being made. But i guess i'll still have what i paid for so that doesn't really matter. I know there are a lot of different cars and classes in the game so that will keep me cycling through new stuff.

NOW AFTER ALL THIS RAMBLING, MY QUESTION IS I HAVE DECIDED AMS2 FITS WHAT I AM LOOKING FOR MOST AND WANTED TO KNOW FROM THE COMMUNITY IF IT WAS WORTH GETTING? i ALSO WANT TO ASK IF THERE IS ANY KARTING IN THE GAME (HAVEN'T LOOKED ONLINE YET). LASTLY (I PROMISE) DOES THE GAME EVER GO ON SALE OR OFTEN AS THAT WOULD MAKE THE CHOICE TO BUT A LOT EASIER?

Thanks for your reply in advance :)

[Roddy]

I've never once regretted getting AMS2, it's my main sim.
Really well done, especially in VR.
and yes there is a few different types of karts, and tracks for them.

[Paradox1126]

It's a solid sim for sure. If you like a variety of cars then I would say it's a no brainier. I love the tracks they provide as well and as Roddy said VR is great and perhaps the best of the lot. Sounds, ffb, etc all are done really well. Multiplayer is available but I wouldn't say it thrives however you can definitely jump in and out of servers as they are options you may like.

As for asseto Corsa if you can get it on sale for a couple of bucks the ln yes to both. It would be a good addition to your collection. Also keep in mind they have said they will be coming out with AC2 I belive next year.

I would also be remissed if I didn't mention my favorite of all the Sims which is raceroom. Just something to think about :)

Hope you grab the title up and have a great time with you. You won't be disappointed.

Cheers.

[Johnny Speed]

Did you put this wall of text on Assetto Corsa forum? Or the rF2 Forum? I mean, if you are looking for opinions. you should ask in all the forums....IF YOU REALLY CARED ABOUT IT, IS ALL I AM SAYING

[turtleCZ]

Originally posted by Johnny Speed:

Did you put this wall of text on Assetto Corsa forum? Or the rF2 Forum? I mean, if you are looking for opinions. you should ask in all the forums....

Nobody would read it there. :D

[Johnny Speed]

Originally posted by turtleCZ:

Originally posted by Johnny Speed:

Did you put this wall of text on Assetto Corsa forum? Or the rF2 Forum? I mean, if you are looking for opinions. you should ask in all the forums....

Nobody would read it there. :D

lol , truth

[thief_035]

Originally posted by Augustus_V_Ren:

I am a big multiplayer person.

ATM, multiplayer in AMS2 is its weakest point (besides the bugs).

@turtle :D

[Stepy]

If its a choice between the three (AMS2, AC, RF2) i would says AC.

[DC2Dixon]

Being the AMS2 forum it will normally be quite biased, most that come here are AMS2 fans. The same can be said for all games so bare that in mind when asking such questions on X forum.

For me AMS2 is a okay sim but nothing special. It has so many bugs and issues it can be a frustrating experience. Online is basically dead, 700 players is a good number for AMS2 at any given time. You might see 80-100 players online if lucky. Unless you find a community you wont find many good lobby's online. Many community races are just random races/cars with F1 not being a popular choice from what I have seen. Passwords are given out in chat (on youtube) or simply have no passwords so not really a league of sorts. That's not to say you wont get good racing but having randoms join can lead to issues.

Physics are just personal opinions but for me it still feels very slidey and forgiving. I tried the game after the 1.5 Patch and to me it doesn't feel anything special. Cars slide around loads but you can cure understeer by simply turning more or cure oversteer with more throttle. Its simply backwards for what you would be able to do/ get away with in a real car. Some love the physics but for me I question why its the least popular sim if the physics are actually good. Its the newest sim, has good graphics, loads of content but its still struggles to get people playing the game.

Having gone back to AC recently I would put that game still well ahead of AMS2 as far as physics go. Many point out about the tyres only having 1 point of contact but its still feels far better than AMS2 does to me. If the tyres were so bad you wouldn't have drifters saying how good AC is to play. Any simulators you see in places (for real life training) are 95% of the time running AC. Its old but still gold IMO. You often see over 14 000 players playing the game so AMS2 has roughly 5% of the players AC still has.

RF2 I could never get into, its such a horrible game to setup and the UI, graphics and sounds are very dated. Maybe its because I never set it up right but I could simply never get on with the game. Many say its the best for physics and FFB but I could just never get into the game myself.

For F1 I would say AMS2 and AC are the only real option. I would say get both and see how you like them. For driving, sound and FFB, AC is still far better IMO. You also have every track you can think of through mods, quality varies but all the F1 tracks I have tried are a good standard. I would even say Monaco is better in AC than AMS2. For single player AMS2 takes that one, I don't like the AI but they are better than AC AI for sure. For online its a tough one with F1 cars, you would really need to find a league to possibly race them regularly. Many don't run AMS2 because the multiplayer has so many issues with it.

Might seem like a AC fanboy with this post but its simply my opinion. AMS2 can be a fun game but for me the physics, bugs and lack of players really let the game down compared to AC.

[dbond1]

I have them all and AMS2 is the one I drive most often. You cannot go wrong with any of those listed, but yeah, I'd recommend AMS2.

AMS2 has a really nice feel of the tarmac, good soundscape, good FFB. Amazing tracks. I like all sorts of cars, but vintage open wheel is my thing and out of all of these sims, AMS2 is easily my favorite in this class. I think this is the top open wheel sim. But it is also more than that too.

rFactor2 is the one I drive the least. It also has a really nice road feel. It's a good sim. But I just don't like it as much.

AC is old in the tooth, but has a fantastic variety. Lots of content. However I don't care for the feel of the physics as much as the rest of them. Something is off just a bit for me. The various challenges are fun.

ACC is a really nice sim. One of the best career modes, but it is also much more focused than the others. If you love GT cars it's a great choice. But that's all there is. Good MP racing.

iRacing is where the MP action is. But it is pay to play and can get expensive. I'd only recommend this for serious MP racers.

F1 22/23 has the best career modes in sim racing. But again it is limited to a single series (well, plus F2). A great sim that gets a bit of stick, but I don't care.

All of them is the best answer. Any serious sim driver should have all of these games. But if you're on a budget and can only have one it's a difficult decision as they all have their strengths. AMS2 however is the one I drive the most and since the OP said he wants open wheel, I think AMS2 is the clear choice.

[Alice Cooper]

Originally posted by DC2Dixon:

Being the AMS2 forum it will normally be quite biased, most that come here are AMS2 fans. The same can be said for all games so bare that in mind when asking such questions on X forum.

For me AMS2 is a okay sim but nothing special. It has so many bugs and issues it can be a frustrating experience. Online is basically dead, 700 players is a good number for AMS2 at any given time. You might see 80-100 players online if lucky. Unless you find a community you wont find many good lobby's online. Many community races are just random races/cars with F1 not being a popular choice from what I have seen. Passwords are given out in chat (on youtube) or simply have no passwords so not really a league of sorts. That's not to say you wont get good racing but having randoms join can lead to issues.

Physics are just personal opinions but for me it still feels very slidey and forgiving. I tried the game after the 1.5 Patch and to me it doesn't feel anything special. Cars slide around loads but you can cure understeer by simply turning more or cure oversteer with more throttle. Its simply backwards for what you would be able to do/ get away with in a real car. Some love the physics but for me I question why its the least popular sim if the physics are actually good. Its the newest sim, has good graphics, loads of content but its still struggles to get people playing the game.

Having gone back to AC recently I would put that game still well ahead of AMS2 as far as physics go. Many point out about the tyres only having 1 point of contact but its still feels far better than AMS2 does to me. If the tyres were so bad you wouldn't have drifters saying how good AC is to play. Any simulators you see in places (for real life training) are 95% of the time running AC. Its old but still gold IMO. You often see over 14 000 players playing the game so AMS2 has roughly 5% of the players AC still has.

RF2 I could never get into, its such a horrible game to setup and the UI, graphics and sounds are very dated. Maybe its because I never set it up right but I could simply never get on with the game. Many say its the best for physics and FFB but I could just never get into the game myself.

For F1 I would say AMS2 and AC are the only real option. I would say get both and see how you like them. For driving, sound and FFB, AC is still far better IMO. You also have every track you can think of through mods, quality varies but all the F1 tracks I have tried are a good standard. I would even say Monaco is better in AC than AMS2. For single player AMS2 takes that one, I don't like the AI but they are better than AC AI for sure. For online its a tough one with F1 cars, you would really need to find a league to possibly race them regularly. Many don't run AMS2 because the multiplayer has so many issues with it.

Might seem like a AC fanboy with this post but its simply my opinion. AMS2 can be a fun game but for me the physics, bugs and lack of players really let the game down compared to AC.

A little harsh methinks.

"It has so many bugs and issues" that I never see!

As for the old "online is basically dead." Online is dead for EVERY racing sim. The standard of driving in open lobbies for ANY racing sim are ♥♥♥♥♥! Joining a league is the only way to race online to avoid frustration all the time. Having said that whenever I do look at the multiplayer there is always a lobby to join or you could create one yourself.

Its a great sim and now that it is opening up to modding, at last, some might say its the best!

Buy it.

[DC2Dixon]

Originally posted by Alice Cooper:

Originally posted by DC2Dixon:

Being the AMS2 forum it will normally be quite biased, most that come here are AMS2 fans. The same can be said for all games so bare that in mind when asking such questions on X forum.

For me AMS2 is a okay sim but nothing special. It has so many bugs and issues it can be a frustrating experience. Online is basically dead, 700 players is a good number for AMS2 at any given time. You might see 80-100 players online if lucky. Unless you find a community you wont find many good lobby's online. Many community races are just random races/cars with F1 not being a popular choice from what I have seen. Passwords are given out in chat (on youtube) or simply have no passwords so not really a league of sorts. That's not to say you wont get good racing but having randoms join can lead to issues.

Physics are just personal opinions but for me it still feels very slidey and forgiving. I tried the game after the 1.5 Patch and to me it doesn't feel anything special. Cars slide around loads but you can cure understeer by simply turning more or cure oversteer with more throttle. Its simply backwards for what you would be able to do/ get away with in a real car. Some love the physics but for me I question why its the least popular sim if the physics are actually good. Its the newest sim, has good graphics, loads of content but its still struggles to get people playing the game.

Having gone back to AC recently I would put that game still well ahead of AMS2 as far as physics go. Many point out about the tyres only having 1 point of contact but its still feels far better than AMS2 does to me. If the tyres were so bad you wouldn't have drifters saying how good AC is to play. Any simulators you see in places (for real life training) are 95% of the time running AC. Its old but still gold IMO. You often see over 14 000 players playing the game so AMS2 has roughly 5% of the players AC still has.

RF2 I could never get into, its such a horrible game to setup and the UI, graphics and sounds are very dated. Maybe its because I never set it up right but I could simply never get on with the game. Many say its the best for physics and FFB but I could just never get into the game myself.

For F1 I would say AMS2 and AC are the only real option. I would say get both and see how you like them. For driving, sound and FFB, AC is still far better IMO. You also have every track you can think of through mods, quality varies but all the F1 tracks I have tried are a good standard. I would even say Monaco is better in AC than AMS2. For single player AMS2 takes that one, I don't like the AI but they are better than AC AI for sure. For online its a tough one with F1 cars, you would really need to find a league to possibly race them regularly. Many don't run AMS2 because the multiplayer has so many issues with it.

Might seem like a AC fanboy with this post but its simply my opinion. AMS2 can be a fun game but for me the physics, bugs and lack of players really let the game down compared to AC.

A little harsh methinks.

"It has so many bugs and issues" that I never see!

As for the old "online is basically dead." Online is dead for EVERY racing sim. The standard of driving in open lobbies for ANY racing sim are ♥♥♥♥♥! Joining a league is the only way to race online to avoid frustration all the time. Having said that whenever I do look at the multiplayer there is always a lobby to join or you could create one yourself.

Its a great sim and now that it is opening up to modding, at last, some might say its the best!

Buy it.

I always see you post the game doesn't have bugs but that simply isn't true. There are many bugs with the game that are recurring bugs. Assists getting disabled, unable to refuel, unable to change tyres, race results getting changed, screen freezes, ghosting shadows at night, view changing all the time. Those are just a few off the top of my head that affect multiplayer more than single player but they can and do happen. Maybe some not every race but they are issues that have affected the game on and off since launch. There are many reasons leagues wont run the game, it has far to many issues.

Online is dead in AMS2, the game has on average 600-700 players max at one time. You will be lucky to find 4 full lobby's online. Racing standards are a mixed bag in all games but to say AMS2 is a popular sim isn't true at all. Out of all the sims its one of the least played around. The numbers are close to or worse than raceroom on occasions.

I am not telling the OP not to get or try the game but giving my opinion. There are people like yourself who will say the game is amazing and doesn't have issues which is simply not true at all.

[thief_035]

Originally posted by Alice Cooper:

"It has so many bugs and issues" that I never see!

lol

@DC2Dixon
well said.

@OP
check these:
https://steamdb.info/charts/?compare=211500,244210,365960,378860,805550,1066890

https://forum.reizastudios.com/threads/bug-reports-automobilista-2-read-the-opening-post.9856/

have some laughs here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BJBbbZFaw8

[DmAnd]

Hands down best VR racing sim at the moment. Performance to visuals is top notch. Full grid in VR, day night, varying track and weather conditions. All in VR with gosh daRn decent visuals.

The force feedback gets better and better. If you are not satisfied with the default setup, you can go ahead and download a custom flavor, and if you STILL can not find what you want,

Open up the custom file.
Tinker to your hearts desire.

Most if not all Formula cars in the game just received a big update.
Karts and kart tracks in game. Yes
In my opinion the most immersive VR racing sim.

Another plus factor is this community is NOTHING like the EA community.
Well, you might get one every now and then.

Bugs? Yes lots of bugs, old bugs, new bugs, small bugs, big bugs, they come in all shapes and sizes, but when it works, it works soooo good. Lol, i know not the best selling point

[DC2Dixon]

Originally posted by thief_035:

Originally posted by Alice Cooper:

"It has so many bugs and issues" that I never see!

lol

@DC2Dixon
well said.

@OP
check these:
https://steamdb.info/charts/?compare=211500,244210,365960,378860,805550,1066890

https://forum.reizastudios.com/threads/bug-reports-automobilista-2-read-the-opening-post.9856/

have some laughs here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BJBbbZFaw8

I am not for 1 minute telling the OP not to buy the game or there isn't fun to be had. I am simply giving my opinion on what the best F1 game/sim is available currently. For me AMS2 doesn't come close to how AC feels when driving cars.

To say the game isn't full of bugs and issues is a joke tbh. There are so many issues in single player and multiplayer to name.

AMS2 is the newest sim, has the best VR, loads of content, cheap in comparison to many sims but its still the least popular out of the lot. Many like to blame Jimmy Broadbent for the hate AMS2 gets but it simply isn't the case. AMS2 isn't popular for many reasons, doesn't mean you cant have fun when it does work.

[Augustus_V_Ren]

Originally posted by DC2Dixon:

Originally posted by thief_035:

lol

@DC2Dixon
well said.

@OP
check these:
https://steamdb.info/charts/?compare=211500,244210,365960,378860,805550,1066890

https://forum.reizastudios.com/threads/bug-reports-automobilista-2-read-the-opening-post.9856/

have some laughs here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BJBbbZFaw8

I am not for 1 minute telling the OP not to buy the game or there isn't fun to be had. I am simply giving my opinion on what the best F1 game/sim is available currently. For me AMS2 doesn't come close to how AC feels when driving cars.

To say the game isn't full of bugs and issues is a joke tbh. There are so many issues in single player and multiplayer to name.

AMS2 is the newest sim, has the best VR, loads of content, cheap in comparison to many sims but its still the least popular out of the lot. Many like to blame Jimmy Broadbent for the hate AMS2 gets but it simply isn't the case. AMS2 isn't popular for many reasons, doesn't mean you cant have fun when it does work.

Thanks for the reply. Taking everything into consideration. Ill be honest, the VR aspect is really big for me and i think this will be a good first sim for me (along with AC on sale). Any recommendations on which DLC's to get? Also does it go on sale often?