Driving games quickly became one of the most popular games and among the first to be released. Those games look phenomenal and are usually easy to play. Step on your throttle to go forward, then step on your brake to stop; that’s simple. However, these games often offer a very fun experience, especially the racing games where the tension is real. In this article, we’ll take a look at the best PC driving games that you can play. Let’s grab a steering wheel and put a pedal to the metal! These are the best driving games for PC.
1. Need for Speed Payback
This year’s reboot of the Need for Speed franchise was followed by generally positive reviews. The use of the Frostbite engine makes this game looks amazing, and with several game mechanics returned here, Payback is a great old-school car racing game. Full customization is available, as well as some fast cars with engines roaring like a lion in the wilderness. Those high-speed police chases are also present, so you can now get that daily dose of adrenaline pumped through your veins. Don’t wait, step on your throttle and race like a lunatic! An excellent NFS game to play.
2. Project Cars 2
Project Cars 2 is an exceptional driving game that heavily relies on sports racing. Actually, it’s my favorite game of this kind. The arcade experience is ditched for a more difficult simulation experience. However, Project Cars 2 allows for tweaking some settings, so you can play it even if you are a complete racing noob! Project Cars 2 made a great return and fantastically filled the missing puzzle in the series. Jaw-dropping details, great driving mechanics, and some fast cars should make you satisfied, with nothing left to desire.
3. GTA V
GTA V is an open-world game that’s full of action-packed missions. However, GTA V introduces some new cars in the game and those beautiful beasts are fast! Not only that you’ll drive attractive cars in the game, but you can drive a truck, lorry, or even a motorcycle. GTA V offers a little bit for everyone, so you’ll probably like this game, even if you aren’t a fan of the genre. GTA is a must-have for every serious gamer! Read our GTA V Review to know more about the game.
4. BeamNG.drive
Have you ever wondered how it is to break a car to pieces or smash them in a tree? Well, BeamNG.drive offers so many answers that your head will start spinning! It’s a beautiful-looking game and gives you various possibilities. A huge open world, stunning environment, a solid selection of cars, and super-duper ultra-realistic physics are here. On top of that, you can create various scenarios, so you’ll be either smashing your car to pieces, race versus the players, or indulge in police chases. Possibilities are endless with BeamNG.drive.
5. Euro Truck Simulator 2
This indie game is fun as hell, did you hear about it? Euro Truck Simulator 2 is here to show you how a true simulation is done. This driving game isn’t about racing, there aren’t police chases and there surely isn’t violence or killing. In Euro Truck Simulator 2, you are a truck driver that works for several companies and distributes goods through Europe. It’s a very relaxing game, and if you decide to go multiplayer, you’ll notice that the community is very good and friendly. You can now play with your friends, listen to your music and enjoy every single second of the game. Oh, this game costs just a few bucks; it’s almost a steal! If you don’t like it, there are also other games like Euro Truck Simulator 2.
6. Trackmania Turbo
Trackmania Turbo is a fast-paced driving game for Windows, and although “fast-paced” sounds unusual for a racing game, you’ll see what I mean when you play it. This game is all about that speed, unforgiving terrain, and races that will make your blood boil! It’s so freaking intense and every second matters here. Collide with a tree or slow down for a second and you can say goodbye to your gold medal! I’m really glad that games like Trackmania Turbo exists. It’s a low-spec game and it takes just a few GB of your HDD, but gives you tons of fun.
7. Forza Horizon 3
When talking about graphics in video games, Forza Horizon 3 is a top contender for the list. This excellent driving game has all you want and need from such game. You have a HUGE list of cars to choose from, plus the environment is varied. You’ll race on a clean, hot road or get off-road with some of the most powerful cars. The scenery is stunning and the whole game as a package is filled with content. Forza Horizon 3 has a great multiplayer driving mode that lets you jump straight into the race as you free roam, which adds a feeling of versatility.
8. Car Mechanic Simulator 2018
Driving simulations are awesome games for those who like to experience their true hobby at its finest. Car Mechanic Simulator 2018 is one of those games. And no, this driver game isn’t an upcoming title, and it’s released in July this year. Well, I assume that’s great news! You can now build your own car from scratch or buy some classic, unique and retro cars and fix them as you wish. You can visit the junkyard for more cars, and when you finish your project you can proudly drive your own creation. This game gives that sense of satisfaction whenever you fix a car, and that feeling is priceless!
9. American Truck Simulator
Much like Euro Truck Simulator 2, American Truck Simulator is almost the same. This truck driving game is all about transporting your trailer from point A to point B. However, the American setting makes the game more appealing, at least for me. My continent Europe has some great locations, but America is somewhat better presented in this game. But, hey, watch your road, folks! If you collide with other drivers, the police are going to charge you, and that’s not cheap.
10. Driver: San Francisco
When the first Driver came out for PlayStation, it was a pure driving game. For some time, Driver games followed that GTA-ish concept, so you could get out of the car, shoot the living crap out of your enemies and then get back. Driver: San Francisco returned to its roots. It’s a good driving game where you’ll finish your missions in the car, but with one amazing feature. This feature is called SHIFT. Shift mode lets you teleport from car to car in order to be more efficient. I’ve heard that the developers gained inspiration from Google for this one… sounds odd, but fun as hell!
11. Assetto Corsa
Assetto Corsa is an accessible, beautiful, and compelling driving game for PC. It’s similar to Project Cars 2, but the focus here is on experimenting and modding. As it’s a simulation game, Assetto Corsa lets you tweak various settings and create your ultimate car for racing. I mean, you can lower down some settings here and there, but it’s meant to be enjoyed as a simulation driving experience. Thanks to its open-source nature, Assetto Corsa leaves a huge space for mods, so we have various people developing mods for the game. Join the growing community and experience true racing!
12. WRC 7
Rally racing was never this intense like it is in WRC 7. The reason I decided to put this one here is that Dirt Rally stole the show and this game was left behind. To be honest, I don’t see a reason for that! WRC 7 is a mixed bag when it comes to the gameplay. It’s not exactly an arcade game, but not simulation either, although it leans more towards the second. The environment looks stunning and everything is detailed, from the snowy mountains of Sweden and Norway to the muddy and dirty terrain of Portugal. If you want to try something new, now it’s time to step up.
13. Test Drive Unlimited 2
TDU 2 was released a few years ago, and it’s undoubtedly a very important game in the driving genre. Not only that it’s a racing game, but also a true driving game that encapsulates the complete experience. Furthermore, the game lets you explore the in-game world with your car or on foot. Yes, you can finally get out of your car; that’s so cool! TDU 2 handling is one of my favorite in driving games, as it still allows for driving at high speeds, but manages to punish you if you push it too hard. It’s like a fine line between NFS Payback and Project Cars 2.
14. Trials Fusion
In Trials Fusion, there aren’t some fancy cars. No, there isn’t a Bugatti, nor Lamborghini. On the other side, there isn’t an Audi or BMW. So, what the heck is this game?! Well, Trials Fusion is a 2D game based on the real-life trials events. You’ll be driving your motorcycle across the varied terrains, ranging from snowy mountains to sunny and dirty tracks. Either way, Trials Fusion is an unforgivable and challenging experience, but not for easily irritated people due to its difficulty.
15. City Car Driving
City Car Driving is not the last simulation on our list, but it’s a worthy mention. So, what can you expect from this game? You can expect to learn some of the basics of driving in various situations in the city. That’s great for the newbies who are still learning to drive. City Car Driving will let you learn everything, step by step, and overcome your fear of being in huge traffic in your city. Just sit back, relax, and enjoy this game; you’ll learn a lot from it.
16. Farming Simulator 17
While Farming Simulator 17 isn’t strictly a driving game, the majority of the game is on the wheels of your John Deer. Farming Simulator 17 is a game I would recommend to the older audience, but if you are young, you’ll probably enjoy it too. The point here is to take care of your farm by harvesting various plants and watching over your animals. You can use your tractor to do the stuff and if you have the in-game money, you can buy a pretty decent vehicle that will let you finish the job faster.
17. Spintires
Spintires is a dirty, muddy, harsh, and brutal driving simulation experience. In this game, you are set in an environment where only the bravest will survive! Luckily, you don’t have to use your feet, but the big, hardcore vehicles like trucks to overcome the terrain. Spintires boasts some nice graphics, but also realistic physics, so you’ll often get stuck in the mud, requiring you to drive carefully. Spintires is an authentic experience and a brave move from the developers that paid off. Clearly one of the top driving games for PC users.
18. Mad Max
Mad Max is an open-world game where the main focus is on building your magnum opus. Max Rockatansky is obsessed with building his dream car, and he ventures into the wasteland for various parts to build it. The most notable here is a great car combat in which you can collide with your enemies as well as use some of the weapons to eliminate them. The game combines fighting, RPG, open-world, and driving elements, making it a very versatile title that’s fun and challenging to play. For a few bucks, you can’t get a better deal!
19. Burnout Paradise
Burnout Paradise is a hugely underrated EA game. Actually, this game was developed by Criterion Software, which is a developer behind the amazing NFS Hot Pursuit (2010). You can expect to drive some great cars and motorcycles at mind-boggling speeds and enjoy the beautiful Paradise City (where the grass is green and the girls are pretty). I’m sorry, no pretty girls here, but just aggressive arcade racing. And if you want a pretty girl, then go out and meet her!
20. Bus Simulator 16
For the end, I left Bus Simulator 16. Sure, it’s not a popular game, and only a very small audience will like it, but there you go. If your father is a bus driver, you can play this game with him, or do it by yourself and see how it’s hard to drive a bus! One ticket, please!
Do you have what it takes to become an ultimate driver? Driving games are much more versatile than racing games, as driving doesn’t necessarily mean racing. With these games, you can have a lot of fun and balance between the simulation and intense racing. At the end of the day, I won’t insist on anything, but having a good time! So, I’m curious what game will you play this winter? It’s getting cold, so warm yourself and do some gaming, now it’s the right time!