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Project CARS 2 – Comprehensive Racing Simulator
Slightly Mad Studios' ambitious motorsport compilation delivers 189 cars across 140 track layouts with esports-focused infrastructure. Metacritic 82-84/100.
Game Info
Verdict
Project CARS 2 delivers unmatched motorsport breadth for simulation enthusiasts willing to master complex mechanics.
Pros
- Exceptional 189-car roster spanning 38 manufacturers with diverse performance characteristics
- 140 track layouts at 60+ locations providing unparalleled circuit variety
- LiveTrack 3.0 dynamic weather and track evolution create unique race-to-race experiences
- Comprehensive career mode spanning 29 motorsport types and five competitive disciplines
- Robust online infrastructure with esports-focused ranking and championship tools
- VR support with 12K resolution capability for immersive simulation
- Extensive force feedback customization enabling authentic wheel simulation
- Off-road rallycross and historic racing series expand beyond road circuit dominance
Cons
- Demanding learning curve with unforgiving physics punishing controller-based play
- Dynamic resolution on consoles creates inconsistent visual presentation during weather
- Base PS4 and Xbox One struggle maintaining 60fps under demanding conditions
- Complex menus and career structure overwhelm casual players
- Some vehicles exhibit inconsistent physics behavior limiting setup flexibility
- AI occasional illogical aggressive driving and unprovoked contact
- Game delisted from digital storefronts September 2022 due to expiring car and track licenses (remains playable for prior owners)
Performance Notes
PC scales to 4K/60fps+ on high-end hardware with VR and triple-screen support. PS4 Pro maintains consistent 60fps in clear conditions with dynamic resolution during weather effects. Base PS4 and Xbox One experience variable 40-60fps depending on race conditions, car count and weather intensity. Xbox One X improves performance over base models with better weather handling.
Project CARS 2 remains the benchmark for comprehensive motorsport simulation, offering unparalleled variety across racing disciplines. Released September 2017, the game achieved 84/100 on PC and 82/100 on PlayStation 4 according to Metacritic, solidifying its position as serious racing simulator. This examination covers the game’s extensive vehicle roster, dynamic LiveTrack 3.0 system, career structure mimicking professional racing progression, and online infrastructure supporting esports competition, while acknowledging platform-specific compromises and competitive evolution since launch.
How to Play Project CARS 2
Project CARS 2 foundations rest upon comprehensive customization and difficulty scaling accommodating casual enthusiasts through competitive simracers. Players navigate 29 motorsport types spanning five competitive disciplines through flexible career progression and freeplay race creation systems.
- Controls – Extensive force feedback customization enables wheel tuning for individual car classes; gamepad support functional but demanding without mechanical feedback devices
- Progression – Career mode contracts system requires signing with teams in chosen disciplines; manufacturers offer special invitational events building affinity toward factory drives
- Combat/Mechanics – LiveTrack 3.0 system evolves track temperature, rubber buildup and weather dynamically across race weekends; AI responds intelligently to changing conditions
- Tips – Invest in force feedback wheel for authentic experience; begin with lower difficulty tiers mastering single car class before combining disciplines; utilize practice sessions for setup optimization
Who Should Play Project CARS 2
Project CARS 2 targets motorsport enthusiasts seeking encyclopedic content and authentic progression systems. The game’s difficulty curve and customization depth appeal to serious simracers while creative options accommodate casual content creation and experimentation.
- Simulation Veterans – Veteran simracers appreciate refined physics handling, extensive tuning options and career authenticity replicating real-world racing progression and contracts
- Esports Competitors – Online championship infrastructure with ranking systems and broadcasting capabilities attracts competitive multiplayer communities organizing leagues and tournaments
- Casual Creators – Race Creator and extensive customization tools enable players to construct personalized championships exploring diverse vehicle combinations and track configurations
- Skip if – Arcade-style racing fans expecting forgiving handling and immediate accessibility will find unforgiving physics and complex menus frustrating without patience and mechanical input devices
Project CARS 2 Platform Performance
Project CARS 2 achieves 60fps targets across platforms through dynamic resolution scaling, prioritizing responsiveness for competitive racing. PS4 Pro delivers most consistent performance while base consoles experience variable frame delivery during demanding weather and multi-car scenarios.
| Platform | Resolution | FPS | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC (High) | 4K | 60+ | 1080p-4K scaling on high-end hardware; supports VR and triple-screen configurations |
| PS4 Pro | 1080p/1440p | 60 | Stable 60fps clear conditions; dynamic scaling during rain/snow maintains responsiveness |
| Xbox One X | 1440p | 60 | Improved over base Xbox One; handles weather effects better than standard editions |
| PS4 | 864p-1080p | 50-60 | Variable frame rates under stress; 40-50fps during multi-car weather events |
Project CARS 2 System Requirements
Project CARS 2 demands 50GB storage and supports DirectX 11 compatible Windows systems. Recommended specifications unlock 4K resolution and VR support with ultra graphical settings; minimum specifications target 1080p/60fps on modest hardware.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10 64-bit |
| CPU | Intel i5-3450 / AMD FX-8350 | Intel i7-6700K / AMD equivalent |
| GPU | GeForce GTX 680 / Radeon RX 480 | GeForce GTX 1080 / Radeon RX 1080 |
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Storage | 50 GB | SSD Recommended |
Similar Games to Project CARS 2
Comprehensive motorsport simulations remain dominated by handful competitors. Project CARS 2’s breadth differentiates through diverse racing types unavailable in exclusive-focused franchises, though individual franchises excel in specific discipline authenticity and progression narratives.
- Gran Turismo 7 – PlayStation exclusive emphasizing road car racing with detailed single-player campaign; narrower discipline focus but superior casual accessibility
- Forza Motorsport – Xbox-exclusive franchise balancing simulation depth with arcade accessibility; fewer customization options but superior handling intuitiveness
- Assetto Corsa Competizione – Pure simulation focused on GT3 racing; less content but refined physics and esports integration for competitive communities
- iRacing – Online-only subscription service with competitive racing and professional esports; demands specialized hardware and monthly fees
Project CARS 2 vs Competitors
Project CARS 2’s content breadth positions it uniquely against franchises emphasizing single disciplines. Performance metrics illustrate competitive positioning across vehicle count, circuit variety and esports infrastructure development.
| Feature | Project CARS 2 | Forza Motorsport 7 | Gran Turismo Sport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $59.99 | $59.99 | $59.99 |
| Cars | 189 | 700+ | 160+ |
| Tracks | 140 layouts | 32 | 27 |
| Metacritic | 84 (PC) | 86 | 80 |
Project CARS 2 Story and World
Project CARS 2 constructs narrative through career progression rather than cinematic storytelling. Career mode spans karts through IndyCar, Formula racing, GT endurance and rallycross establishing competitive identity across motorsport hierarchy. Manufacturer drives with Ferrari, Porsche and other iconic brands create aspirational progression toward factory driver status. LiveTrack 3.0’s evolving track conditions establish dynamic environmental storytelling where weather transitions and track temperature changes fundamentally alter racing strategy lap-by-lap. Real-world partnerships including official IndyCar licensing and historic racing series ground the game in motorsport authenticity, creating meaningful progression through internationally recognized racing categories.
Project CARS 2 Multiplayer and Online
Project CARS 2 emphasizes competitive multiplayer infrastructure with league administration tools, ranking systems and esports broadcasting capabilities. Online racing accommodates casual competitions through to organized championships with professional streaming functionality.
- Online Championships – League-format competitions with full administration tools enabling player-created championships with custom rules, point systems and season structures
- Competitive Racing License – Ranking system ensures matched-skill competition through reputation grades and strength assessment preventing griefing and mismatched racing levels
- Quick Race and Custom Events – Browser-based session joining with filtering by track, car class, session length and reputation requirements; custom race creation enables private lobbies
- Broadcast Infrastructure – Director and broadcaster roles enable spectator streaming with custom camera control and replay functionality for league competitions
Project CARS 2 DLC and Expansions
Project CARS 2’s post-launch strategy released five major DLC packs between launch and mid-2018, introducing licensed manufacturers, historic racing series and international circuits. Season Pass bundles offered discounted access versus individual purchases while maintaining player choice for selective acquisitions.
- Japanese Pack – November 2017: Four Japanese manufacturer cars expanding manufacturer diversity; small content focused on specific region
- Fun Pack – December 2017: Eight additional cars and two rallycross tracks; adds off-road variety and casual competition options
- Porsche Legends – March 2018: Nine Porsche vehicles spanning decades with career events; manufacturer-specific content appealing to marque enthusiasts
- Season Pass – Bundled discounted access to four DLC packs for price of three; individual DLC packs remain available for selective purchases
Project CARS 2 Community and Support
Slightly Mad Studios maintained active development post-launch through balance patches and community-requested features. User communities organized league competitions and championships utilizing the robust online administration infrastructure supporting competitive governance.
- Official Support – Project CARS official website hosts forums, patch notes and competitive calendar; developers actively monitored forums addressing player feedback and balance concerns
- Esports Communities – Project CARS Esports platform organizes competitive championships; community racing leagues continue despite official server limitations
- Content Sharing – Livery editors and setup sharing between players enables customization sharing; replay functionality supports content creation
- Patch History – Regular balance updates addressed physics refinements, AI behavior improvements and performance optimization; major patches released quarterly through 2018