Did 2025’s Best Racing Game Just Stealth Drop?

When it comes to the racing genre, the likes of Gran Turismo and Need for Speed get a lot of hullabaloo, but a new entry into the beloved category just slinked in with minimal fanfare, and it’s one you should take notice of.

Project Motor Racing, admittedly not the best name, comes from Straight4 Studios, made up of developers who worked on the GT and Project Cars series in recent years. As you can imagine, Project Motor Racing is therefore all about capturing the real authenticity of racing: the challenges, finances, technicalities, hyperfocus on performance tweaks, etc. And, for the most part, Project Motor Racing nails it.

I’ll get into the nuts and bolts of the game, but the moment-to-moment on-track racing is incredibly solid. Everything feels very tactile and responsive, with minimal margin for error, which will appease those who love deep simulations. This isn’t a racing game where you’ll drift around a corner at 200km/h – this is a steady and meticulous approach to racing, with an emphasis on trying not to careen into a wall. There’s a hint of Need for Speed: Shift in there, as anyone who played EA’s more simulated spin-off of their beloved racing franchise will recall the poise and precision it took to win races throughout that game.

This more refined approach applies across the game, too, for better or worse. There’s no pazzazz and theatrics with menus and presentation. It’s very clean, sterile, and simple, which may actually tickle the fancy of those looking for a no-nonsense approach. However, sifting through a lot of pretty bland menus and reading while tinkering with your car, management team, finances, and more, can add to the mundane a little.

Speaking of, a huge portion of Project Motor Racing is the focus on actually running (and driving in) a racing team. Prize money, damage, parts, team hiring, and everything that goes with the real-world racing industry is included, forcing you to make educated decisions on and off the track. You won’t be unlocking a new engine by winning a race; this is all about building up your finances and making smart changes as you progress. It’s a slow burn, but racing enthusiasts will love the meticulous attention to detail here.

In terms of that attention to detail, the vehicles also look fantastic in motion, and the cockpit camera is a highlight, showcasing the interiors of the cars in all their glory. The same can’t be said about the tracks, which don’t look bad, but just lack the fidelity of the cars. A lot of the layouts will be recognisable to longtime racing fans, though, which will be appreciated.

Project Motor Racing may not be the smoothest, most accommodating ride for more casual fans, but a more die-hard and technical approach to the racing world has been sorely missing. It’s something challenging, different, and has a bit of a unique DNA of its own to warrant a play from genre fans.

Project Motor Racing is available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.