Project CARS

About

Project CARS is a single player arcade shooter game. It was developed by Slightly Mad Studios and was released on October 27, 2016. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

Project CARS is the ultimate driver journey! Guided, tested, and approved by a passionate community of racing fans and real-life drivers, Project CARS represents the next-generation of racing simulation as the ultimate combination of fan desire and developer expertise.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

62%

Audience ScoreBased on 626 reviews

graphics75 positive mentions

stability9 negative mentions

Great driving physics and realistic handling, especially with a steering wheel.
Impressive graphics for a free game, providing a visually appealing experience.
Good for racing sim enthusiasts who want a free alternative to more expensive titles.

Limited content with only a few cars and tracks, leading to repetitive gameplay.
Difficult controls, especially for keyboard users, making it frustrating for casual players.
AI behavior can be erratic, often resulting in collisions and frustrating race experiences.

graphics
126 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
34%
6%
Overall, the graphics of the game receive high praise for their realism and detail, with many users noting stunning visuals, immersive effects, and impressive car models. However, some critiques mention that while the graphics are good, the environments can feel underdeveloped compared to the cars, and there are occasional performance issues that detract from the experience. Despite these drawbacks, the graphics are generally considered a strong point of the game, especially given its free-to-play model.
- “The graphics are good and there are sunrays adding to the effect; when there's nobody around you, it is super immersive.”
- “The graphics are breathtaking at times with photorealistic courses.”
- “The graphics are amazing, a blend of weather and track detail, along with realistic depictions of cars, make this a real visual treat.”
- “The graphics were alright but not enough to save this horrible demo from a bad review.”
- “There seemed to be so much hype around this game - especially over the graphics, but even on max settings it looks mediocre at best; certainly no better than Forza Motorsport 5.”
- “Graphically, it's quite poor in comparison to most of the current other offerings not only in terms of the rendering of the vehicles but also in the quality of the landscapes, the track edges and verges are PS2 quality, with some blatant frame rate issues and judder.”
gameplay
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
50%
14%
The gameplay of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising its mechanics and graphics while others criticize the controls and difficulty, particularly when using a keyboard. Many users note that the gameplay can be frustrating, especially for beginners, but some believe that it improves with practice and the right equipment, such as a steering wheel. Overall, while there are enjoyable aspects, the gameplay experience can be inconsistent and challenging.
- “Also, it has good graphics, good gameplay, and even more other good stuff.”
- “Great gameplay.”
- “Seriously brilliant game - graphically, gameplay-ally, etc-ally.”
- “This game sucks, terrible controls and lousy gameplay!”
- “Except for the default gameplay config, I selected the easiest mode and still suffered. You have to turn on all assists to be able to play decently, unless you have a steering wheel.”
- “Gameplay: I'm not sure the developers have driven a car before.”
optimization
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
46%
23%
The optimization of the game received mixed reviews, with some users reporting smooth performance and good handling, while others experienced significant issues such as poor optimization affecting Windows themes and inconsistent performance, especially with higher-end hardware and full AI tracks. Overall, while some players found the graphics beautiful and well-optimized, others noted that the game struggled with optimization, particularly in demanding scenarios.
- “The performance though, oh my god.”
- “As a racing game modeling real cars and tracks, it looks very good. In terms of authenticity, keyboard handling, and game performance, it's good.”
- “- graphics are beautiful and well optimized.”
- “Not only is it very poorly optimized, but it also messes with your Windows theme/background.”
- “Either this game is very unoptimized or I'm getting trolled.”
- “Bad optimization and handling is horrible.”
humor
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
92%
25%
The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with many players finding the crashes and chaotic gameplay particularly funny, likening it to a comedic bumper car experience. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke laughter, often prioritizing humor over serious gameplay, making it a source of entertainment beyond just its graphics and mechanics. Overall, the game's lighthearted and amusing moments contribute significantly to its appeal.
- “I've seen this on YouTube on a certain YouTuber's channel filled with wins and funny moments, and I decided to give this a go!”
- “Nice graphics, nice gameplay, but my favorite is definitely the crashes; they're hilarious.”
- “If you have damage set to visual and aren't afraid to make contact, you'll find this can quickly devolve into a hilarious multi-million-dollar game of bumper cars, the likes of which should make a Need for Speed fan feel right at home.”
- “The humor in this game falls flat and feels forced, making it more cringeworthy than entertaining.”
- “I expected some laughs, but the jokes are stale and lack any real wit or creativity.”
- “The attempts at humor are so awkward that they detract from the overall experience rather than enhance it.”
stability
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
82%
The stability of the game has received mixed feedback, with many users reporting significant bugs and glitches, particularly in VR mode and during pit stops. While some players appreciate the game's potential and performance on high-end systems, they express frustration over unresolved issues that detract from the overall experience. Overall, there is optimism for future patches to address these stability concerns, but the current state is seen as needing improvement.
- “Looks amazing and runs great on my i7 with GTX 980 Ti. My Fanatec wheel, Version 3 pedals, and Thrustmaster TH8A shifter work great.”
- “A little under two hours of troubleshooting later and the lag in VR mode (I don't know about standard desktop mode, I haven't tried it) is still completely unfixable.”
- “The game is not finished; you can tell by how many glitches there are. If you lose a wheel in a Formula A car and return to the pits, when you come back out again, you still don't have your front wheels, but the car drives as normal?”
- “This is amongst many other glitches that I can't be bothered to mention.”
music
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
23%
33%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the nice soundtrack and menu music, others note the lack of in-race music as a drawback. The integration of Spotify is seen as a positive workaround for those wanting more musical variety, particularly for fans of symphonic and metal genres. Overall, the music enhances the experience for some, but its limited presence during gameplay is a common complaint.
- “Graphics, music, everything is great...”
- “- soundtrack is nice, offers splendid tracks while you are driving.”
- “+ very nice menu music.”
- “Even the full version hasn't got much music on it unless you connect it to Spotify, which only makes sense if you're inside the US.”
- “There is no music to listen to during races, but now with PS4's Spotify integration, this doesn't affect me one bit.”
- “I can still listen to the background music and stuff, but nothing else happens.”
story
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
33%
50%
The game's story aspect is not a primary focus for many players, as they tend to engage more with its expansive universe and gameplay mechanics rather than a traditional narrative. While some players appreciate the ongoing missions and the sense of adventure in an ever-expanding universe, others find the story lacking or unengaging, leading to mixed feelings about the overall experience.
- “An awesome game that has multiplayer, missions, pets, nice NPCs, spaceships and spaceship upgrades, exocraft, monsters, etc. The universe in this game is infinite and it is constantly expanding, making random planets that make this game never get old.”
- “☐ story?”
- “---{story}---”
- “this game is cancer than your ex, trust me”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users express frustration with the emotional experience of driving, feeling disconnected and overwhelmed due to poor visibility and low seating position. The lack of precise controls contributes to a sense of chaos, contrasting sharply with previous experiences that provided a more immersive and controlled driving sensation.
- “My T300RS and 599XX Alcantara made me feel like I was in control while the force feedback gave me the information I needed to know what was going on.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Users express frustration with the game's replayability, noting that despite investing significant time, they found little to enhance the experience or encourage further play.
- “I spent around 4.8 hours of playtime attempting to make it more enjoyable, but I had no success.”
- “Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to play it again.”
- “The lack of meaningful choices means that replaying the game feels like a chore rather than a new experience.”