Assetto Corsa EVO Early Access Review – Starting Position

As an enthusiast, it’s crucial for me to be well-informed when diving into early access games. Understanding the development timeline, the purpose behind early access, the planned updates down the line, and, let’s not forget, the amount of playable content are all essential details. Nobody, including the developers themselves, can foresee every twist and turn – whether it’s addressing early bugs or meeting initial milestones. But at least we can count on having some gameplay to experience from the get-go, right?

Kunos Simulazioni’s Assetto Corsa EVO, a new addition to its established series, stirred controversy upon its early access release due to a large portion of the game content being restricted to online play, which was not functioning properly.

This version maintains the clarity and flow of your original sentence while emphasizing the initial criticism faced by the game for its online-centric content restrictions.

At this stage, EVO is in its infancy, and nothing showcases this more than its user interface. The design is strikingly minimalistic – some might find it too sparse – but it’s plagued by noticeable delays, particularly when using a controller.

Although the developer initially enabled multiplayer racing on five tracks with up to 20 vehicles, the more substantial features such as Driving Academy and Special Events remained inaccessible for a considerable period of time. The lack of disclosure regarding the online connectivity requirement before early access started was a point of contention for many users. Additionally, performance issues, bugs, and assorted technical problems didn’t improve the situation.

Recently, Assetto Corsa EVO has introduced its long-awaited online mode. This update includes key features like the game’s economy and progression, as well as the modes that were initially promised. Yet, the question lingers: Is it advisable to jump into early access at this point? Ultimately, your decision should be based on the original content that appeals most to you.

As far as the overall experience goes, EVO is still quite new, and this is particularly noticeable in its user interface. The design is minimalist, though some might find it overly so – your feelings may differ on this point. However, it’s not without its drawbacks, with noticeable lag being a significant issue, especially when using a controller. This lag becomes especially apparent during races, particularly when restarting a session and waiting for the user interface to load, which can take a few precious seconds.

While organizing Special Events and License Exams, it’s important to keep things neat and simple, but there are still UX improvements that need attention. For instance, after completing an exam, the lack of an option to move on to the next one can be frustrating. Additionally, not having a setting to automatically end an exam upon completion, whether successful or not, and then returning to the starting screen is another area in need of development. These are just some examples of areas that require improvement.

Five distinct tracks are available, yet the total number of possible track arrangements amounts to eight. Specifically, Suzuka and Brands Hatch offer between two and three different configurations, whereas Mount Panorama, Imola, and Laguna Seca have only a single layout option each.

The progression is simply present, not much more to add about it. You accrue credits by finishing races and can spend these credits on acquiring vehicles. Fortunately, there’s a variety of car models to choose from, allowing you to test drive them or appreciate their aesthetics in multiple ways. From adjusting animations to observing their appearance against diverse backdrops and weather settings, there are numerous possibilities to explore.

In addition to Driving Academy and Special Events, you’ll also find Quick Race and Practice options. Interestingly, while there are five main tracks, the total number of possible configurations comes up to eight. Specifically, Suzuka and Brands Hatch offer two to three different track arrangements, whereas Mount Panorama, Imola, and Laguna Seca each have a single unique layout.

Special Events provide a range of races under specific rules and using different types of vehicles. The Driving Academy provides an opportunity to hone your skills across diverse categories such as Sportscar, Supercar, Hypercar, and Racing. You’ll navigate turns in a Lotus Emira on Imola, strive to master the “L” corners of Laguna Seca, and bravely handle Suzuka’s winding tracks in the rain with a Mazda MX5 ND Cup. In summary, I found these challenges engaging – you can pass them adequately by driving conventionally, but achieving three stars on each demands a deep understanding of your vehicle, the track layout, and weather conditions.

Unfortunately, despite the situation, it’s regrettable that their access is limited to online mode at the moment. Unfortunately, as I write this, online functionality has become unreachable, resulting in an inability to view the Licenses tab, the Special Events section being empty, and the Dealership appearing greyed out.

Another major attraction of Assetto Corsa EVO is its stunning visuals, with both the environments and car models appearing visually appealing. However, the quality of these visuals can greatly depend on your hardware.

Initially, Assetto Corsa EVO might appear to have limited content for those observing from afar during its early access phase. Yet, delve deeper into the gaming experience, and you’ll find that it boasts some of the most engaging racing simulation gameplay currently available on the market.

As a dedicated enthusiast, I can confidently say that the physics model and driving dynamics of this game are among the finest available. The simulated conditions, including weather variables, behave as you’d expect – mastering dry or overcast tracks is challenging yet achievable, but when the rain falls, it’s a test of your skill and adaptability, as you strive to maintain stability amidst the slippery surfaces. Every misstep, whether overshooting a turn or pushing too hard into a corner, feels authentic, reactive, and even visceral, immersing me in the racing experience.

Among its many strengths, EVO stands out for its ability to make each car feel distinct. One wouldn’t be surprised by this in a racing simulator, but what sets EVO apart is how it truly embodies each vehicle’s character. The Honda S2000 AP1 has a vibrant, energetic feel, moving smoothly and swiftly, while the Ferrari 296 GTB seems to burst with power, both visually and audibly. Driving each car with the handling model provided is as enjoyable as it is demanding, and there are assist options available for beginners. Admittedly, the options aren’t overly detailed, but you can still adjust stability control, the ideal line, and automatic clutch, which is better than none at all.

A key advantage of Assetto Corsa EVO lies in its stunning visuals, featuring impressively detailed environments and car models. However, the quality of these visuals can vary based on your hardware. For instance, with an RTX 4060 and an 11th-gen Core-i5 processor, I opted for Medium settings for most options, while setting the level of detail, texture pool size, resolution, and frame rate to High at 2560x1440p and 60 frames per second.

If you’ve appreciated past versions of Assetto Corsa or are a fan of racing simulations in general, this game might serve as an engaging distraction, offering a chance to test the highly-praised handling.

The overall performance was generally strong, yet there were apparent lags during the final stages of a License Test and certain segments of races. Additionally, some pop-in issues occurred along with unimpressive reflections in the cockpit’s rearview mirror. Despite no significant drops or slow performance while racing, nor any crashes, there is clearly room for improvement in terms of optimization.

As a racing enthusiast, I’d be cautious about jumping into Assetto Corsa EVO, especially given its current early access status. Even if the game runs flawlessly (which it doesn’t always), the content offerings aren’t particularly extensive yet. It’s important to understand what you’re signing up for, and ensure that the available content aligns with your expectations, before making a purchase decision.

If you’re a fan of past Assetto Corsa games or racing simulations in general, this could serve as an engaging detour, offering a chance to experience the acclaimed handling. For those who desire a more comprehensive package, it might be wise to hold off for several months to benefit from additional updates and content. Nevertheless, there’s no disputing that EVO offers one of the top sim gameplay experiences available, with visuals that can rival the best in the industry. It simply requires some time to fully bring out its brilliance and justify the $40 price tag.

This early access version of the game was reviewed on PC.

2025-02-12 19:42

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