Automobilista
- August 24, 2016
- Reiza Studios
- 13h median play time
Get on Steam"Automobilista" is a sports racing simulator game with both single-player and multi-player modes. It features advanced gameplay and good graphics, offering a diverse motorsports experience with various vehicles and tracks. The game includes Brazilian racing series like Stock Car V8 and Formula 3 Brasil, as well as other historical and modern content.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Fantastic physics and force feedback, providing an immersive driving experience.
- Diverse selection of cars and tracks, including unique Brazilian motorsports content.
- Great AI behavior, making single-player racing enjoyable and competitive.
- Graphics are dated compared to modern racing sims, which may deter some players.
- Multiplayer community is lacking, making it difficult to find online races.
- Initial setup for controls can be cumbersome, especially for new users.
- graphics338 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The graphics in Automobilista are generally considered dated, reflecting its reliance on the older rFactor engine, but many players find them sufficient for a sim racing experience. While some users note that the visuals lack the polish of newer titles like Assetto Corsa or Project Cars, others appreciate the game's performance on lower-end hardware and the ability to enhance graphics through mods and GPU settings. Overall, the focus on physics and driving feel often overshadows the graphical limitations for those who prioritize gameplay over visuals.
“Coming back to AMS 1 after a long time, this is the best sim title out there. I have all of them, this is the one I like most. The physics are so good, the feeling is amazing. The rFactor engine is so much refined, graphics are great. Personally, I prefer it over AMS 2, which is great but full of post-processing filters. This one is crisp and clean as a sim should be.”
“Fantastic improvement on the rFactor base, graphics are good (not project screenshot or ACC level but still good enough) fantastic detail on stock tracks and cars, easily modifiable, good mods and 3rd party car & track addons, great physics for the most part and fantastic force feedback.”
“The graphics are not as ancient as some may have you believe - sure it's no Assetto Corsa, but they are good enough and run very smoothly with everything cranked up to maximum.”
“At first, it struck me that the graphics are kind of poor for a game of this era, but it seriously is not something that 4x SSAA or 8x SSAA from your GPU manufacturer's graphics control panel won't fix.”
“The graphics are very, very dated looking compared to just about any racing game made within the past 7 years.”
“Yes, I realize graphics aren’t the end-all-be-all measure for sim titles, but, coupled with what I thought at the time was poor force feedback and a poorly designed UI, the outdated looking graphics made me feel as though it wasn’t worth the time to negotiate the setup curve of the title.”
- gameplay32 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 34 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is generally praised for its engaging driving mechanics and realism, appealing particularly to fans of rFactor and sim racing enthusiasts. While some users appreciate the focus on traditional gameplay without reliance on progression systems, others criticize the menu mechanics and overall execution, suggesting a lack of polish in certain areas. Overall, the game is seen as a solid choice for those seeking a satisfying racing simulation experience, despite mixed opinions on graphics and technical issues.
“The best comparison I can make is to say if you liked rFactor 1 for its great gameplay and modding and want a new updated experience, this is the sim for you.”
“Great to see developers put a lot of hard work into optimizing gameplay and the realism experience for the player.”
“The team at Reiza understands what it takes to make a satisfying sim, and no amount of slick graphics (Project Cars) can substitute for engaging driving and gameplay.”
“Horrible gameplay, horrible graphics, does not save controller settings. This game looks and plays like it should be on a low budget cell phone.”
“This game doesn't seem too old, but the developers made the menu mechanics feel outdated.”
“It's original rFactor in the mechanics, but gussied up.”
- optimization20 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its superb optimization, allowing it to run smoothly on older hardware while achieving high frame rates, even with maximum settings. However, some users report occasional stuttering issues, particularly on systems running versions prior to 1.4.9. Overall, the balance between performance and graphical fidelity is well-received, making it accessible for a wider range of PCs.
“Superbly optimized, running this with all bells and whistles and getting 120+ fps in 2K on my 'aging' specs: GTX 960 @ 4GB / i7-6700HQ / 16GB RAM.”
“Maybe the graphics are a bit outdated, but that's just a good thing because the game will run smoothly on an older PC.”
“Brilliant content, brilliant graphics, not far off rFactor 2 DX11, but with a lot better performance.”
“Occasional stuttering on some computers - only pre v1.4.9.”
“Same stuttering with or without VSync on highest or lowest settings.”
“The best part of Automobilista's gameplay would be the online and hotlap modes, where the optimization and hard work is mostly spent.”
- stability16 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 63 % negative mentions
The game's stability is generally good, running well on older hardware and triple monitor setups; however, users report occasional crashes that can lead to data loss and limited troubleshooting support. Some players experience freezing issues, particularly when entering names or using certain mods, and there are complaints about compatibility with specific hardware like the G27 wheel. Overall, while not excessively buggy, the game does have notable stability concerns that may require additional troubleshooting.
“Runs great on older hardware too.”
“Runs great on triple monitors.”
“It's not buggy, though.”
“The only shortcomings are: limited help on the Steam community page with troubleshooting consisting of excerpts from the user manual. Sometimes, very rarely, the game suddenly and inexplicably crashes, resulting in a reset of your data and an almost inactive multiplayer community.”
“Plus, the handling is also terrible, and the game freezes when putting in my name, forcing me to use Task Manager to force close the game.”
“Seems very buggy; I could never get my G27 wheel to work.”
- humor6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is largely derived from the AI's aggressive and unpredictable behavior, which players find entertaining and reminiscent of racing against real opponents. Many users report spending time simply watching the AI, enjoying the comedic aspects of their antics, which adds to the overall fun of the game.
“The AI are hilarious - extremely aggressive and, much like the rest of the game, really good fun.”
“Sometimes, I spend more time watching (and laughing) at the AI behavior because it is like racing against humans.”
“If only Automobilista had all the licenses for most tracks and manufacturers, we'd all be laughing.”
- story4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 75 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game lacks a campaign or storyline, offering only single races, which has disappointed players seeking a more narrative-driven experience. Many reviews criticize the controller layout and the dead multiplayer scene, suggesting that the game may not be worth purchasing unless players are equipped with specific racing gear.
“I have no idea what the good reviews are about... the controller layout is terrible, it's the analog sticks to drive rather than triggers. There is no campaign or storyline, just single races. Multiplayer is dead, and when you do join a game, it removes you from it. Unless you have a steering wheel and pedal setup and want to race single races, do not buy this game.”
- emotional4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Users express a deep emotional connection to the game, highlighting gratitude towards the development team for creating a title that resonates with them. However, some reviewers feel that the outdated graphics and design elements detract from their overall experience, leading to frustration and a sense of undervaluation of the game's potential.
“I'm so glad I finally found you, and my heartfelt thanks to the development team.”
- monetization4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization of Automobilista is viewed positively, as it is considered a must-have for sim racers, but the game's small developer, Reiza, struggles with visibility and marketing compared to larger titles like Project Cars and R3E. This lack of advertising is seen as a missed opportunity for a game that many believe deserves more recognition.
“Every sim racer needs to buy it, but Reiza is too small to do any sort of advertisement like Project Cars or R3E can pull off, which is a bit sad.”
“Automobilista: Where is the advertising for this sim? I should have discovered this ages ago; it's certainly a gem.”
- music2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, but there are some technical issues affecting gameplay, such as certain cars having problematic cockpit views and occasional bugs that prevent some players from loading into races until the music stops. Despite these minor setbacks, the overall experience remains playable and enjoyable.
- replayability2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players highlight the strong replayability of the game due to a wealth of high-quality mods available, including those from other titles that are compatible. This extensive modding community significantly enhances the content and overall replay value.
“There are some really high-quality mods out there made specifically for AMS, and SCE mods work in AMS as well, so there's plenty of content and replay value in the game.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight a focus on realistic gearbox simulation, emphasizing features like grinding gears and double downshift protection, which enhance the authenticity of the driving experience.
