It’s fair to say racing sims are a bit thin on the ground on consoles just now. Forza Motorsport is being patched and improved, while others simply don’t meet the standard set on PC. So it’s interesting to see two full-fat racing sims launching just a week apart: Competition Company and Teyon’s RENNSPORT, and Straight4 Studios’ Project Motor Racing. We’ll be reviewing both, with RENNSPORT the first off the line.
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Although the game is new to console, the PC version has been around in one form or another for a while. It spent time in open beta and was originally built around a free-to-play model with a battle pass. That idea was dropped before launch in favour of a traditional buy-to-play approach.
Clutch Player
Right away, when you fire it up, Rennsport presents itself as a straight, no-nonsense sim. There are few bells and whistles and even less glitz. The menus offer plenty of options to tune the experience to your skill level before you even get behind the wheel. Unless you’re an F1 superstar, it’s best to switch on all the assists and start on easy.
It’s not the most exciting choice, but this is a game where you need to learn to walk before you run, and walking takes time.
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You’ll quickly realise the game is as much about perfect racing lines and clipping apexes as it is about raw speed. It’s unforgiving and will punish mistakes.
From time penalties for cutting corners to poor race craft or collisions, the game is fair but tough. Most of the time, you’ll know the error was yours. The AI can be a bit too eager at times. Close racing is great, but when they cut you off corner after corner, it feels overly aggressive.
Racing Focus
In terms of modes, this is a game built for racers who want to race. There is a career mode, but it’s a simple progression from rookie to pro and lacks the depth found in other racing titles.
Beyond learning the ropes, it’s not especially memorable. The real strength lies in offline and online races, where you compete in short themed cup series against AI or real players.
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The car roster is eclectic, with a strong focus on GT3, GT4, TCR, Cup and Prototype or Hypercar machinery from major manufacturers such as Porsche, BMW, Mercedes and Audi. There are 17 cars available at launch.
Each handles differently, and switching classes makes it clear that practice is essential. Every car has its own limits, weight balance and handling traits, adding an impressive layer of authenticity. There is a damage model too, and it does affect handling, though mainly at the higher settings.
Whistlestop World Tour
There are 14 tracks at launch, mixing licensed real-world circuits with fictional layouts. You’ll find places like Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Fuji International Speedway and, of course, the Nürburgring.
Visually, the game looks great. Cars are modelled beautifully, inside and out. Tracks look good as well, but they feel lifeless, with empty stands and little atmosphere, as if you’re doing a quiet track day.
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Still, touches like visible damage and rubber building up on the racing line add to the presentation. The only real issue is that some content sits behind a paywall. That’s fine for cosmetics, but not for actual cars such as the Porsche 911 GT3 R Rennsport.
Rennsport is very much a racer’s racing game. It clearly aims to be an eSports staple, and it excels at what it sets out to do. But if you just want something to mess around in with friends, this isn’t it. It demands time and focus, though it does reward you in the long run.
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