iRacing Arcade review – A cosy arcade racer with sim elements

Want a racing game that has some sim elements but is otherwise quite laid back and, dare I say it, cosy? iRacing Arcade, now available on consoles as well as PC, is perhaps the game for you. Just take one look at a screenshot on this page and you’ll see it looks rather cute, making it somewhat disarming, but there’s more to consider here than there is in most arcade racers.

iRacing Arcade is a racing game that’s been designed for a wide range of players to enjoy. That’s why, when jumping into the main meat of the game, Career mode, you’ll be able to set the difficulty before each and every race. And there’s a reason for pushing yourself to be a better driver, with higher difficulty levels offering increased monetary and experience rewards.

There’s not only the AI of your competitors to consider as you make your way through the Career mode of iRacing Arcade, though, completing one season after another on your quest to bring home as many trophies as you can. While you won’t have to particularly worry about them from the outset, you’ll also eventually have to keep on eye on your fuel and grip levels, devising effective pit strategies in order to remain at the front of the pack when you cross the finish line. Damage to your vehicle needs to be considered, too.

Still, this isn’t a stuffy sim; after your very fist race that will be abundantly clear. While you might have to consider the racing line and braking points if you want to succeed on higher difficulties, you’re free to throw the cars available here into most corners. It’s very much an arcade racing game with some choice sim elements. There are even some management elements thrown in for good measure, with you able to build and develop a HQ and various workshops with your winnings, allowing you to add more cars to your collection and provide boosts when you race.

There are some choices here that might leave you a little bewildered, though. There are no qualifying sessions in Career mode, for example, which means you’ll always be starting at the back of the pack which is a bit irritating. And while online multiplayer is available outside of Career mode, there’s no quick race option where you can just hit a button and get matched up with like-minded players. You can create a lobby that others can join if they have the right code, and that’s about it.

Ultimately, as fun and welcoming iRacing Arcade initially is, you’ll likely find its charms wearing a little thin after spending some hours with it. That doesn’t mean you won’t stop enjoying it to some degree, but it’s just not the most exciting arcade racing game out there. The inclusion of a four-player split-screen option might at least keep you coming back to it when you have friends around.