This is about the racing games that you will salivate about if you are a game junkie. These will go so far as to make you buy a next generation console.
When it comes to next gen gaming, there's nothing that can compete quite like a racing game can. Whereas other games have you running around and completing objectives in order to progress, racing games combine that with break-neck speed. Developing a racing game can be quite different than a regular game, given that you're traveling so fast, yet somehow, the developers still manage to make it look amazing. Here are a few next-gen racing games that are guaranteed to make you pick up an Xbox One or Playstation 4 as fast as you can.
Let's be honest — not much has been revealed about Driveclub, but what has so far has been amazing. Driveclub is being developed by Evolution Studios, the same team that handled the Motorstorm franchise. It's not set to be a simulation game like Forza or Gran Turismo. It's going to be an action racing game, similar to Grid 2 or the Burnout franchise (with less crashes, of course). Sony has gone on record and stated that Playstation Plus subscribers will get a special edition of Driveclub, the exact details of which have yet to be revealed.
One thing that has been revealed, however, is a vehicle that will make its digital debut in Driveclub. The Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG was revealed in an in-game image from Driveclub prior to its actual reveal in New York a month or so later. Without doubt, it's certainly gorgeous enough to make you want to buy your own. Though the game was originally supposed to launch alongside the Playstation 4, Driveclub was delayed until "Early 2014", and has now been rumored to be launching in June 2014.
Currently the only simulation racing game for the Xbox One, Forza Motorsport 5 launched alongside the Xbox One. It launched with a paltry 200 cars from 50 different manufacturers. This number pales in comparison to Forza Motorsport 4's 500 cars from 80 different manufacturers. Nevertheless, the game launched to great reviews, with multiple reviewers gushing over it. Forza Motorsport 5, like the other entries, allows you to upgrade your vehicles. Most importantly, however, is that the game looks unbelievable, and it runs extremely smooth.
If you want to play online, you'll have to pay for an Xbox Live subscription. There are several modes, with more being added through updates. Forza has been under the microscope for the amount of micro-transactions that it offers, but for the die-hard players that love the franchise, they'll be right at home.
It's quite nice to have all of these options available in modern gaming. A few years ago, whatever shipped on the disc was all that was in the game. Now, things are constantly being added and tweaked. The latest update to Forza saw the addition of a drag racing mode.
The latest in the annual Need for Speed franchise is one of, if not the best offering thus far. This version was developed by Ghost Games, a new company under the EA umbrella, along with Criterion Games. It launched alongside the Playstation 4 and Xbox One.
In Need for Speed: Rivals, you've got two separate career paths: racer and cop. If you choose the racer, you'll launch into a story about outrunning the cops, and if you're a cop, you'll be chasing down the racers. As you race, you'll earn various upgrades, including spike strips.
As with previous Need for Speed titles, this game features All Drive mode, which blends single player and multiplayer modes together. There's no waiting or loading—you and your friends are there, ready to dominate.
The Crew is, perhaps, the most ambitious next generation racing title yet. For this game, developed by Ivory Tower and published by Ubisoft, you'll be able to strip cars down to its bare parts and customize it to your liking. Customizing your car is nothing new, but the extent that you'll be to do it to in this game is nothing short of impressive.
Rather than take the traditional route and have tracks, the developers have decided to change the game a bit. There have been open world racers before, but nothing to this scale. The developers have created a their own version of the United States, and you'll be able to drive all the way from Los Angeles to New York, down to Miami, then up to Chicago. It will take you around two hours in real time to make the journey from coast to coast. As you travel, you'll earn money, upgrades, and XP. This game is unique in every way, and will hopefully change the landscape of all racing games when it launches in 2014.
Little to nothing is known about Project: Cars. It's currently in development by Slightly Mad Studios, the team that handled Need for Speed: Shift, Shift 2, and Test Drive: Ferrari Racing Legends. This game is entirely funded by the developers and the community and doesn't even have a publisher. As of right now, the game will feature 60 cars and 35 race tracks. The tracks all have a day and night cycle, as well as completely dynamic weather.
Some early footage exists, and it looks spectacular. Take a look at some of the screenshots for yourself. If you're a fan of racing games, you should definitely keep this game on your radar.
There's always an initial quiet period after the launch of a console as companies struggle to even out supply and demand. Now that this launch window is quickly coming to a close, people are looking forward to getting more games. Forza Motorsport 5 and Need for Speed: Rivals made the launch date, and by the end of the year, the other two racing games should be out. Keep in mind that these are the games we're getting when the console is fresh out of the gate. Can you imagine what racing games will be like in three or four years? Keep an eye out for more information on these games, and possibly some new ones, when E3 rolls around in June.
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