As a long-time fan of racing simulators, I’ve been eagerly anticipating the release of Assetto Corsa Evo since its announcement. When Kunos Simulazioni finally dropped the Early Access version in January 2025, I knew I had to dive in headfirst.
Now, after spending countless hours behind the virtual wheel, I’m here to share my thoughts on this exciting new chapter in the Assetto Corsa saga.
First Impressions: A Familiar Yet Fresh Experience
The moment I fired up Assetto Corsa Evo, I was struck by a sense of familiarity mixed with excitement. The menu system, while clearly evolved from its predecessor, still carried that unmistakable Assetto Corsa DNA. It’s clean, intuitive, and gets you into the action quickly – something I’ve always appreciated about the series.
But make no mistake, this isn’t just a rehash of the original. The graphical leap is immediately apparent. The cars gleam with a new level of detail, and the environments are more vibrant and alive than ever before. It’s clear that Kunos has been hard at work pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in a racing sim.
The Car Roster: Quality Over Quantity (For Now)
One of the first things I noticed was the relatively modest selection of cars available in this Early Access build. With just 20 vehicles to choose from, it might seem a bit sparse compared to the vast garages we’ve become accustomed to in modern racing games. However, the quality of these cars is absolutely top-notch.
Each vehicle feels distinct and meticulously crafted. From the raw, visceral feel of the Porsche 911 GT3 R to the precise, knife-edge handling of the Ferrari 488 GT3, every car offers a unique driving experience.
The attention to detail in the cockpits is particularly impressive, with every button and switch faithfully recreated.
While I’m certainly looking forward to the promised expansion to around 100 cars by full release, I have to commend Kunos for prioritizing quality in this initial offering. It’s a reminder that sometimes less truly is more, especially when it comes to nailing the driving physics and feel of each car.
Tracks: A Solid Foundation
The Early Access version launched with five tracks, which might seem limited at first glance. However, the selection offers a good mix of circuit types to put the cars through their paces:
- Nürburgring GP
- Spa-Francorchamps
- Monza
- Silverstone
- Laguna Seca
Each track is a joy to drive, with noticeable improvements in surface detail and trackside elements. The dynamic time of day and weather systems add another layer of complexity and beauty to these familiar circuits.
I found myself spending hours just experimenting with different conditions at Spa, watching the light change and adapting to the shifting grip levels.
The promise of expanding to 15 circuits by launch, along with the intriguing “Eifel” open-world map, has me excited for what’s to come. But even with this initial selection, there’s plenty of content to sink your teeth into.
Physics and Force Feedback: The Heart of the Experience
Let’s get to the meat of any serious racing sim: the physics and force feedback. I’m happy to report that Assetto Corsa Evo doesn’t disappoint in this crucial area. In fact, it feels like a significant step forward from the already excellent original.
The cars have a weight and substance to them that’s hard to describe but immediately noticeable. You can feel the tires working underneath you, the suspension compressing and rebounding as you navigate kerbs and undulations.
The force feedback, at least on my direct drive wheel, is rich with detail and provides a constant stream of information about what the car is doing.
One of the most impressive aspects is how the physics model handles different driving styles. Whether you’re smooth and precise or aggressive and on the ragged edge, the game responds accordingly. It’s a level of nuance that I haven’t experienced in many other sims.
Graphics and Performance: A Visual Feast
Assetto Corsa Evo is, without a doubt, a stunning-looking game. The lighting model, in particular, is a standout feature. The way sunlight plays across the bodywork of the cars, the realistic shadows cast during golden hour laps, and the atmospheric effects during overcast conditions all contribute to a sense of immersion that’s truly next-level.
Performance-wise, I’ve been impressed with how well the game runs, even in its Early Access state. On my mid-range gaming PC, I’ve been able to maintain a solid 60+ FPS at high settings in 1440p.
There have been a few occasional hitches and frame drops, particularly in busy sections of track with lots of AI cars, but nothing that significantly detracted from the experience.
The inclusion of VR support from day one is also a huge plus. While it’s still being refined (the menu system could use some work in VR), the actual driving experience in virtual reality is nothing short of breathtaking. The sense of scale and presence you get when sitting in these meticulously recreated cockpits is unparalleled.
Audio: The Symphony of Speed
Sound design has always been a strong point for the Assetto Corsa series, and Evo takes it to new heights. Each car has its own distinct aural character, from the high-pitched wail of a naturally aspirated V10 to the deep, menacing growl of a turbocharged V8.
What’s particularly impressive is how the sound changes based on your perspective. In the cockpit, you hear the mechanical symphony of the engine, transmission, and suspension working in harmony.
Switch to an external camera, and you get a sense of how these machines must sound trackside, with doppler effects and echoes adding to the realism.
The environmental audio has also seen a significant upgrade. You can hear the wind rushing past at high speeds, the crunch of gravel if you run wide, and the satisfying ‘thwack’ of hitting a kerb just right. It all comes together to create an incredibly immersive soundscape.
AI and Racing Experience
One area where the Early Access build shows its work-in-progress nature is in the AI. While generally competent, there are moments where the computer-controlled opponents can be a bit erratic. I’ve witnessed some overly aggressive moves and a few instances of AI cars struggling with certain corners.
That said, when it works, racing against the AI can be genuinely thrilling. They put up a good fight, defend their positions intelligently (most of the time), and make for some exciting wheel-to-wheel action.
It’s clear that Kunos is actively working on refining the AI behavior, and I’m looking forward to seeing how it evolves throughout the Early Access period.
Multiplayer: Building the Foundation
The multiplayer component of Assetto Corsa Evo is still in its early stages, but it shows a lot of promise. The netcode feels solid, with minimal lag or desync issues in the races I’ve participated in. The server browser is functional, if a bit bare-bones at the moment, and finding a race is generally quick and easy.
One of the most exciting aspects of the multiplayer is the potential for the open-world “Eifel” map. While not available in this initial release, the prospect of free-roaming and impromptu races with friends in a vast, interconnected environment has me giddy with anticipation.
Modding Potential: The Future Looks Bright
One of the original Assetto Corsa’s greatest strengths was its vibrant modding community. While full modding support isn’t available in the Early Access build, Kunos has reaffirmed their commitment to providing robust tools for content creators.
This is hugely important for the longevity of the game. The promise of user-created cars, tracks, and even gameplay modes means that Assetto Corsa Evo has the potential to grow far beyond its initial offering. I’m particularly excited to see what talented modders will do with the new graphics engine and physics model.
Room for Improvement
As with any Early Access title, there are areas where Assetto Corsa Evo still needs some work:
- Career Mode: The current build lacks a fleshed-out career mode. While the focus on pure driving is appreciated, a more structured progression system would add depth to the single-player experience.
- UI Polish: While functional, some areas of the user interface feel a bit rough around the edges. Menu navigation in VR, in particular, could use some refinement.
- Optimization: While performance is generally good, there’s room for improvement, especially when it comes to loading times and memory management.
- Expanded Tuning Options: The current setup options, while comprehensive, could be expanded to give players even more control over their vehicles’ performance.
The Road Ahead: A Bright Future
Despite these minor gripes, I’m incredibly optimistic about the future of Assetto Corsa Evo. The roadmap Kunos has laid out is ambitious, with regular content drops and feature updates planned throughout the Early Access period.
The promise of the open-world “Eifel” map, expanded car and track rosters, and continued refinement of the core driving experience has me excited to see how the game evolves.
The fact that all Early Access purchasers will receive these updates for free is a nice touch and shows Kunos’ commitment to building a strong community around the game.
Conclusion: A Must-Try for Sim Racing Enthusiasts
In its current state, Assetto Corsa Evo is already a impressive racing simulator. The core driving experience is sublime, the graphics are stunning, and the attention to detail in every aspect of the game is evident. While there are certainly areas that need improvement, the foundation Kunos has built here is rock-solid.
For die-hard sim racing fans, I’d say Assetto Corsa Evo is absolutely worth jumping into, even in its Early Access form. The driving feel alone justifies the price of admission, and the promise of regular updates and expansions means you’ll be getting a constantly evolving experience.
More casual racing game fans might want to wait for the full release, when more content and features will be available. But make no mistake, Assetto Corsa Evo is shaping up to be something special. It’s a love letter to motorsport, crafted with passion and technical expertise.
As I write this, I find myself itching to jump back in for just one more lap around Spa. And really, isn’t that the highest praise you can give a racing game? Assetto Corsa Evo has reignited my passion for virtual motorsport, and I can’t wait to see where this journey takes us next.
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