Rating: 8 / 10 🏁 (Would be 10/10 if multiplayer and offline modes were fixed)

"I put 40 hours into this game in just one week. The driving physics are incredible, but the ranking system is holding it back."

Let's get straight to the point: I recently sold my Fanatec wheel ecosystem because sim racing has become ridiculously overpriced. I could never fully get into ACC (Assetto Corsa Competizione), but I picked up this game and I’ve already clocked 50 hours in my first week alone playing entirely on a DualSense controller with zero assists. The controller support and haptic feedback are surprisingly well-optimized and feel amazing.

This game has immense potential—honestly, the driving dynamics and physics feel way better than the current arcadeish F1 series. The circuits are phenomenal (Sebring is an absolute masterpiece), and the audio design is exactly what you want from a top-tier sim racer. The core multiclass racing experience is brilliant; I used to download dozens of mods for Assetto Corsa just to recreate this vibe, so having it naturally integrated here is fantastic.

However, for the game to reach its true potential, the developers (Studio 397) desperately need to address two main areas:

🔴 WHAT NEEDS TO IMPROVE:
1. The Offline Experience is Barebones
Racing against the AI is actually highly enjoyable—I’m currently running between 90% and 100% AI difficulty depending on the track. However, the offline mode lacks depth. There is currently no Safety Car (SC) or Virtual Safety Car (VSC). We urgently need a proper Career Mode, Championship Mode, and Team Management Mode.

Suggestions for the devs: Even if you make these offline career/team features as a paid expansion/DLC, it’s completely fine. Make it payable so if someone doesn't want it, they don't have to buy it. But at least give us the option. Also, adding an iconic track like Daytona would be the ultimate addition to the current circuit list.

2. The Multiplayer & Rank Progression feels Broken
The online matchmaking system feels like it’s specifically designed to keep you stuck in the B3 rank. No matter how much I improve my pace, I cannot break out of it. The system regularly throws me into lobbies with "aliens" who are pulling insane 1:18ish lap times at Spa. If you have just one good race, the game immediately over-corrects, dumping you into a high-level tier where you get crushed, which completely tanks your Driver Rating (DR). Having only 3 levels per rank is not granular enough. The rating system needs to be more flexible and adjustable to allow for fair progression.

Final Verdict:
If you love multiclass endurance racing, the core gameplay alone is worth it—even on a controller. The fact that I couldn't drop the game for 50 hours in my first week speaks for itself. It just needs that extra layer of polish on the systems surrounding the actual racing. Highly recommended, but prepare for some multiplayer frustration.