rFactor 2 Demo

It’s getting easier and easier to portray a realistic physics engine in video games lately, thanks to powerful CPUs and modern algorithms. Not every genre has much to gain from this, but racing games can really provide the fans with an authentic experience thanks to a proper physics engine. rFactor is one of the most critically-acclaimed game in this niche, and you can now enjoy a bit of the second iteration.

rFactor 2 aims to improve almost everything over the previous entry in the series, including the gameplay, the driving experience and the graphics. Just like before, the game targets the hardcore simulator fans, which means that it’s not very friendly with beginners and newcomers. The controls are accurate, but you need a good wheel to get the most out of the experience, otherwise frustration is the only possible result.

As far as the actual physics engine, the developers worked hard to bring the simulation as close to reality as possible. Aerodynamics are important, the tire model is as accurate as it gets, the weather affects your driving, and even the surface you drive on affects the rubber in your tires. In short, you’ve got everything you need to simulate an actual race and it is up to you to improve your skills along the way.

As mentioned before, a wheel with some pedals is highly recommended, otherwise your experience might not be what you expect. It is still possible to use a keyboard or any other kind of controller, as long as you can accept their limitations. Since you have the possibility to run a full 24h race, it might get too annoying to use a keyboard, especially since the input is not nearly as precise as it is with a wheel.

In the graphics department, rFactor 2 is not exactly a trendsetter. The visuals are not bad, but they are modest to say the least. In a world where games like Assetto Corsa and Project CARS exist, you may be a little disappointed with the title at hand. Still, the simulation is the most attractive component of the game, so if that’s the part that matters the most to you, this is one of the best choices you can make.

In the end, just like the first episode in the series, rFactor 2 is very easy to mod and heavily encouraged by the developers. Hence, you can easily download additional cars and tracks to enjoy, not to mention the online multiplayer component, which has the potential to keep you busy for many hours.