Get ready to hit the open road with these four top open world racing game of all time. From exploring Mexico’s vast and varied landscapes in Forza Horizon 5 to destroying the roads in BeamNG.drive, these games offer endless hours of thrilling gameplay.
Find out why Burnout Paradise forever altered the way developers approach open world games and discover the diverse range of vehicle options in The Crew 2. Whether you’re a die-hard racing game enthusiast or simply looking for a new adventure, these games are a must-play.
1. Forza Horizon 5
Forza Horizon 5 raced into stores in November 2021, adding a new chapter to the Forza Horizon franchise. While the game retains the same beloved core gameplay from its predecessor, Forza Horizon 4, the updated map introduces players to a vibrant and varied world, a fictional version of Mexico ripe for exploration.
Players and critics alike fell in love with Forza Horizon 5, reflected in its high praise and scores on Metacritic. The game earned a 92-critic score and an 8.4 user score, demonstrating its immense popularity.
At The Game Awards, Forza Horizon 5 snagged the Best Sports/Racing Game accolade, among others, making it a true champion among video games.
The roads of Forza Horizon 5 are calling, so hop in your virtual car and take a journey through the diverse landscapes of Mexico. With its incredible visuals, engrossing gameplay, and vast array of biomes, the game is a must-play for racing and open world game enthusiasts alike.
2. Burnout Paradise
Burnout Paradise was initially met with skepticism when it was announced that it would implement an open world design, a stark departure from the arcade-style street racing that had defined the Burnout series.
Critics and fans alike were concerned that the new design would detract from the game’s events.
However, post-release data revealed that players overwhelmingly favored the social aspects of the game and exploring the expansive world rather than focusing solely on races.
It’s easy to see why – the intricate world crafted by Criterion Games and Electronic Arts was a pure delight to drive around in, rivaling even the open world gameplay of Grand Theft Auto 5, released five years later.
What’s more, the surprising success of Burnout Paradise’s open world design sent ripples through the gaming industry and forever altered the way developers approach open world games.
As such, it’s safe to say that Burnout Paradise is a true pioneer of open world gameplay, paving the way for countless other titles to follow in its tire tracks.
3. The Crew 2
As of June 2018, The Crew 2 has been available to play on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. Unlike other racing games, it offers a diverse range of vehicle options, including cars, motorbikes, boats, and planes. The ultimate aim is to excel in the four vehicle disciplines of Pro Racing, Street Racing, Off-Road, and Freestyle.
The game was recognized for its outstanding qualities and was even nominated for the Open World Racing Game award at the Game Critic Awards in 2018. However, it ultimately lost to Forza Horizon 4.
Recently, speculations have arisen about a potential The Crew 3 set in Hawaii, following the discovery of screenshots relating to something known as Project Orlando by a data miner.
Released in June of 2018 for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, The Crew 2 is an unconventional racing game that distinguishes itself from others through its wide range of vehicles.
In addition to cars and motorbikes, players can race boats and planes to excel in four-vehicle disciplines – Pro Racing, Street Racing, Off-Road, and Freestyle.
Despite missing out on the Best Racing Game award to Forza Horizon 4 at the Game Critic Awards in 2018, The Crew 2 was still recognized for its impressive gameplay.
A new development has surfaced, with rumors suggesting that the potential release of The Crew 3 could take place in Hawaii. Screenshots uncovered under the name of Project Orlando by a data miner have fueled the speculations.
4. BeamNG.drive
Are you tired of racing games that lack realistic damage mechanics? Look no further than BeamNG.drive where crashing your car is almost as fun as winning the race. With its advanced simulation technology, you’ll experience every dent and scratch as if it were real.
But that’s not all – with a wide variety of user-made content, you’ll never run out of things to do in this game. Whether you’re competing in a championship or simply wreaking havoc on the road, BeamNG.drive offers endless hours of entertainment.
Of course, this game isn’t for the faint of heart. But for those who love a challenge, there’s nothing quite like the adrenaline rush of pushing a car to its limits. So why wait? Rev up your engines and hit the road with BeamNG.drive today.
Conclusion
These four are the best Open World Racing Games with thrilling gameplay and unique features that have garnered critical and popular acclaim.
From Forza Horizon 5’s vibrant Mexican landscape to the pioneer of open world racing Burnout Paradise, players can experience diverse gameplay options with advanced simulation technology in BeamNG.drive and the multi-vehicle options in The Crew 2.
So rev up your engines and hit the road to experience these top-notch racing games.
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