Assetto Corsa Rally arrived almost out of nowhere, and yet it has immediately made an impact in the sim racing world. Released in early access on November 13 for PC, this new rally simulator from Kunos and Supernova Games costs $30 on Steam and is already far better than most of us anticipated. For a genre many assumed was slowing down, this is a strong and refreshing surprise.
Far better than expected and already easy to recommend in early access, even though it is not perfect and needs more content.
Sim racers curious about rally, even non-fans
Players who need multiplayer and lots of content now
Price stated in this review is $30 on Steam. Hands-on tested by OC Racing.
Test context stated in this review, with no extra setup or benchmark claims added.
At launch, Assetto Corsa Rally offers only ten cars and four stages. On paper that sounds extremely limited, but once you start driving, it becomes clear that the developers chose to focus on quality over quantity.
Each car feels distinct, well modeled, and properly tuned. The 1972 Alfa GTA is raw, light, and twitchy, constantly moving underneath you and demanding attention. In contrast, the 2021 Hyundai i20N feels planted and composed, with sharper turn-in and a modern suspension that encourages you to push hard.
Even with the small lineup, every car has a unique character. Kunos has confirmed the full release will feature more than thirty cars, and if they maintain this level of detail, the car roster will become a major strength.
One of the things that immediately caught my attention is the Rally Encyclopedia. This is not just a list of explanations or tooltips. It is a dedicated section filled with:
For someone who normally is not deeply invested in the rally world, this genuinely helped me connect with the sport. It adds context, personality, and depth that most racing titles skip entirely. A dedicated rally school is also planned for full release, which could become a useful and fun tool for newcomers.
The biggest omission at the moment is the lack of multiplayer. Still, the game offers a solid set of modes:
Worth knowing: The biggest omission at launch is the lack of multiplayer, so the modes included for now are leaderboard events, rally weekends, time attack, free practice and single stage runs.
It covers the basics, and everything works as expected. That said, an open playground map or a dedicated testing area would add a lot of value, especially for players who enjoy experimenting, drifting, or just driving casually between stages.
Visually, Assetto Corsa Rally looks great. Built on a customized version of Unreal Engine 5, the game offers strong lighting, detailed environments, and a convincing atmosphere. While there are moments where the saturation feels a bit low, the overall presentation is impressive.
Small touches add a lot of immersion. During one run, my door flew open and stayed open until the movement of the car slammed it back shut. Moments like that can be incredibly immersive, especially once VR support arrives.
The two included locations are laser scanned from real rally stages in France and Wales. Terrain changes, vegetation, and elevation shifts all feel believable. The world has a sense of scale and texture that makes each stage feel alive.
The downside is the NPCs. Spectators behave like generic background characters, and both the driver and co-driver rarely show any emotion besides the occasional thumbs up. This is an area that clearly needs improvement.
Driving is the heart of any sim, and overall, Assetto Corsa Rally delivers a strong experience. While my wheel settings did not feel perfect out of the box, the driving model itself is very promising.
There is room for refinement, but the foundation is solid. Even as someone who does not normally gravitate toward rally sims, I found myself enjoying the challenge.
The takeaway: The foundation is solid on gravel and promising on tarmac, with room for refinement as early access development continues.
Considering there was no real marketing push, no teaser campaign, and no hype cycle, Assetto Corsa Rally is far better than expected. It is not perfect and it absolutely needs more content, but for the price, it offers:
Even if you are not a hardcore rally fan, this is an early access title that is already easy to recommend. It feels like a great start, and with continued development, it could grow into a fantastic rally sim.
Recommended in early access. It is not perfect and needs more content, but it already offers a strong start for the price.
Ideal buyer: Sim racers curious about rally, even if you are not a hardcore rally fan.
Major drawback: No multiplayer and only ten cars and four stages at launch.
Bottom Line: Far better than expected, and an early access title that is already easy to recommend at the stated price.
Sim racing hardware reviewer and creator. Every review on this site is hands-on tested across direct-drive wheelbases, pedals, cockpits, motion systems and accessories before a word is published.
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Wian Van der Walt says:
I thought I was good at rally due to Dirt Rally 2… Then I tried this game…
AleToscano says:
The physics on the dry are insane, but in the wet it seems like ive got more grip, but i just go slower
wespenton says:
Very excited to get it
jay says:
I’m really enjoying this game; the physics are great, especially on gravel for me.
dillonb0092 says:
thinking of getting
Rikikola says:
what should I choose now before buying, dirt2 or ac rally
Anonymous says:
Humbling experience of a game
Envi says:
Loving that Assetto made a Rally game