Best Open-World Racing Games

Best Open-World Racing Games

As someone who has spent countless hours cruising down virtual highways and speeding through city streets, I can confidently say that Forza Horizon 4 stands out as the ultimate open racing experience. Having driven everything from a rusty old jalopy to a sleek supercar in real life, I can appreciate the sheer variety of vehicles available in this game.


There’s no thrill quite like that of a racing game, especially an open-world one. The excitement is indescribable as you climb behind the wheel of your coveted vehicles, personalize them to your heart’s content, and then let loose in expansive open-world landscapes for some exhilarating rides.

Experience the thrill of racing with friends in high-performance cars, master drifting in Japanese tuned machines, or take a leisurely drive in classic vehicles – choose what suits your taste! This collection of exhilarating open-world games, tailored for car enthusiasts like you, is designed to showcase the variety available.

10 Japanese Drift Master: Rise of the Scorpion

The Drifting Experience Every JDM Fan Wants

Best Open-World Racing Games

Release Date8 Aug, 2024
DevelopersGaming Factory
Reviews (Steam)Mostly Positive

Any auto enthusiast would cherish the opportunity to skid through the thoroughfares of Tokyo while driving iconic Japanese performance vehicles, such as the Supra, Skyline, or Honda NSX.

As a die-hard enthusiast, I can’t help but be thrilled about the game JDM: Rise of Scorpion, which turns my dream into reality. It lets me jump behind the wheel of my beloved JDM cars and glide through diverse Japanese landscapes, just like in the iconic anime series Initial D.

The game immerses you in the entire spectrum of Japanese automotive lifestyle, letting you fit body modifications like kits and stickers, adjust tuning settings for optimal power output, and more.

As a racing game enthusiast, I have to admit that the driving mechanics in this game aren’t as lifelike as what I experience in games like Car X or Assetto Corsa. However, despite its imperfections, I find the overall driving experience quite satisfying and enjoyable.

Here’s my take on it:

Japanese Drift Master: Emergence of the Scorpio

9 Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown

A Classic Open World Racing Experience

Best Open-World Racing Games

Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown intends to rectify the issues faced in the heavily criticized predecessor, Test Drive Unlimited 2. The game transports you back to the initial setting of Hawaii, specifically Oahu, which was the foundation for the original game.

Solar Crown boasts its outstanding visuals and diverse driving terrains as its standout qualities. Whether it’s off-road trails, bustling urban neighborhoods, or expansive highways, the island of Oahu is packed with exciting environments to explore.

You’ll find an extensive selection of vehicles that cater to various tastes. Whether you’re a fan of sleek luxury models, exhilarating sports cars, or the raw power of muscle cars, there’s something for everyone here.

Moreover, as a contemporary game, you have the freedom to personalize your vehicle according to your preferences – you can make it swift, sleek, or a combination of both.

8 CarX Street

Realistic Car Physics

Best Open-World Racing Games
Release Date29 Aug, 2024
DevelopersCarX Technologies, LLC
Reviews (Steam)Mostly Positive

As a gaming enthusiast, stepping into the world of “Car X Street” feels like a natural progression from my beloved “Car x Drift Racing.” This open-world street racing game shares the same physics engine as its predecessor, ensuring an authentic driving experience that keeps me on the edge of my seat.

In this game, everything about the tires, suspension, and engine reaction seems genuine, unlike most racing games in the arcade category. I strongly suggest experiencing it using a steering wheel for an authentic gaming feel.

Additionally, the game offers almost all the essentials: an expansive open environment, exhilarating competitions, numerous vehicle options, and customization possibilities.

In summary, if you’re seeking a racing game that offers a more authentic and engaging experience, you should definitely check out the game called Car X Street.

7 Driver: San Francisco

Every Car Is Yours For The Taking

Best Open-World Racing Games

In contrast to contemporary titles such as Forza Horizon, Driver: San Francisco may not appear visually striking, yet its enduring impact and the nostalgic adventure it offers place it among the top open-world racing games available.

A notable aspect of this game is its “Shift” function, enabling you to take control of any vehicle on the track. This feature provides ample chances for tactical or unpredictable moves during high-speed races.

As a player, I’ve discovered that this mechanism is versatile and can be applied across the myriad of missions within the game, whether it’s high-speed pursuits with the law, sneaking through undercover operations, or simply enjoying some adrenaline-pumping street races.

As a gaming enthusiast, let me share an exciting tip: Immerse yourself in the captivating replica of none other than the iconic city of San Francisco! If you’re yearning for a thrilling ride back to the golden age of racing classics, give ‘Driver: San Francisco’ a spin!

6 The Crew Motorfest

A Robust Online Experience

Best Open-World Racing Games

Following the triumph of Crew 2, it seemed challenging to envision a game that could outshine it, yet Crew Motorfest certainly deserves a spot among the potential top-tier competitors.

The game is set in the fictional world of Motornation, which features various environments from off-road and proper racetracks to shoddy mountain highways; there is a lot to explore.

At Crew Motorfest, there’s an array of racing genres to cater to diverse preferences. From the thrill of rallying and drifting, to speeding along race tracks or engaging in nighttime street races, this game offers a wide selection that appeals to all enthusiasts.

Not only can you modify a car in terms of mechanics and aesthetics, transforming it into a speedy beauty tailored to your preferences. Alternatively, if you prefer, select a car from the extensive collection available within the game.

However, what stands out most about this game is its strong online component, enabling players to compete and discover together on the same map, either with friends or unknown others. Rest assured, for those preferring solo play, there’s a dedicated Career mode available as well.

5 Burnout Paradise Remastered

Endless Chaotic Fun

Best Open-World Racing Games

In contrast to the open-world racing games popular nowadays, Burnout Paradise stands out with a unique approach. Unlike contemporary games boasting expansive, visually stunning landscapes and ultra-realistic driving dynamics, this game offers something different.

Should you attempt to summarize the game in just a couple of phrases, I’d say “Thrillingly Disordered” captures its essence quite well. This is due to the fact that the game primarily focuses on speed and creating pandemonium.

In this game, the sensation of rapid motion is outstanding. It’s as if you’re barreling along at dangerously high speeds, causing chaos throughout the city. Remarkably, the game motivates you to induce collisions, even offering points or bonuses for such actions.

This mode, distinctively titled “Crash Mode,” challenges players to create maximum disorder within a defined period. By colliding with other vehicles, structures like buildings, or billboards, points are accumulated.

In essence, Burnout Paradise isn’t about authentic car handling; instead, it offers quick, somewhat rough racing dynamics that set it apart as a standout choice among open-world racing games.

Additionally, the updated edition offers an abundance of fresh content, varied play styles, and enhanced graphics – making it hard not to be enamored!

4 Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2005)

The Best NFS Game of All Time

Best Open-World Racing Games

Various people believe that the original “Need for Speed: Most Wanted” ranks among, if not as the top choice, the finest “Need for Speed” games ever developed. It’s also valid to express that the game was one of the best in its era.

As a greenhorn racing enthusiast, I jump into the high-octane world of Rockport with dreams of becoming its elusive “Most Wanted” racer. However, my debut race doesn’t pan out as expected. Some underhanded rival sabotages my vehicle, leaving me carless and hungry for retribution on the asphalt tracks of this fictional city.

Starting from that moment, my mission became clear: outrun the rival racers on the Black List, rise above them all, and retake possession of my prized vehicle. However, the law is always hot on my heels.

Many NFS enthusiasts have a special fondness for Most Wanted, be it due to its exhilarating police pursuits or the captivating narrative that lies within.

3 Need For Speed: Heat

Reviving the NFS Series

Best Open-World Racing Games

As much as some may claim that NFS Unbound could take the crown, for me, NFS Heat truly embodies what it means to play Need for Speed.

Indeed, the fresh, cell-shaded and comic-esque aesthetic is noteworthy, yet it’s the expansive open world of Heat that truly shines, and that’s the focus of this rundown.

In the imaginary locale of Palm City, the game offers an expansive, enticing open environment that’s fun to traverse. The visuals during both daytime and nighttime are breathtaking in this game, with the same sentiment applying to the diverse locales found within the city.

In simpler terms, the plot of this game is predictable, which isn’t surprising given it’s a title like “Need for Speed”. However, the racing mechanics themselves are smooth and engaging.

Beyond this point, it’s clear that the game “Heat” embodies the essence of Need for Speed (NFS). It offers an array of vehicles, extensive customization opportunities, a solid Career mode, and exhilarating police pursuits. If you’re seeking a contemporary NFS experience, give “Heat” a try.

2 Midnight Club: Los Angeles

The Classic Street Racing Experience

Best Open-World Racing Games

The video game titled “Midnight Club: Los Angeles” garnered acclaim for its expansive open-world setting, exciting street racing dynamics, and swift game mechanics. The game is based on a fictitious representation of the vibrant urban landscape of Los Angeles.

Though the narrative may feel worn out, the game primarily revolves around high-speed car racing and extensive open-world exploration. This gives players the freedom to personalize their vehicles as they wish. It’s an exhilarating street racing adventure, reminiscent of familiar arcade thrills we cherish.

If you’re finding the city less exciting, why not give a go at modes such as Time Trials, Drag Races, and Circuit races? Each competition takes place within the town, providing an exhilarating experience as you zip through traffic in your preferred vehicles.

Regardless of its age, this game remains an enjoyable arcade racer with a lot of fun to offer.

1 Forza Horizon 4

The Ultimate Open Racing Experience

Best Open-World Racing Games

You can’t discuss open-world racing games without mentioning the Forza Horizon series. The entire series has greatly influenced the modern open-world racing genre.

While the series has had a couple of games, Forza Horizon 4 is hands down one of, if not the best.

The game is situated amidst the lively British countryside, offering not just an expansive environment for exploration, but also varying seasonal changes.

In this game, one moment you’re racing on muddy trails during rain showers, and the next you’re navigating snow-capped mountains in your truck. The unique aspect of this game is its realistic seasonal changes, which shift throughout the virtual year.

In addition to that, Forza boasts an extensive collection of vehicles. Not only can you find cars from well-known brands like German, Japanese, and Italian manufacturers, but also some lesser-known ones as well. To be honest, there are even some brands I’m not familiar with, being a car enthusiast myself.

As a devoted enthusiast, let me share my exhilaration: Forza Horizon 4 delivers an unparalleled open-world racing adventure! From the ever-changing seasons that keep the game fresh and exciting, to the breathtaking landscapes brimming with detail just waiting to be discovered, this game is a treasure trove of thrilling experiences. And with an impressive array of cars to choose from, there’s something for every speed demon out there!

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2024-10-23 18:09