Top 5 Open-World Racing Games You Need to Play in 2023

Open-world racing games offer a unique and exciting experience that combines the thrill of high-speed racing with a vast open-world environment to explore. These games allow players to immerse themselves in a world where they can drive freely, explore new areas, and participate in various races and events.

In recent years, the genre has seen a surge in popularity, with several developers releasing critically acclaimed titles that have captured the hearts of fans worldwide. From the high-octane action of Need for Speed to the immersive world of Forza Horizon, there are many excellent open-world racing games available, making it hard to choose the best ones. In this article, we will explore the top open-world racing games that every racing fan should play.

1. Forza Horizon 4

Forza Horizon 4 is an open-world racing video game developed by Playground Games and published by Microsoft Studios. It was released in 2018 and is the fourth installment in the Forza Horizon series.

The game is set in a fictionalized representation of Great Britain, where players can explore a vast open-world environment filled with various locations, including cities, towns, and countryside, all of which offer different challenges and driving experiences. The game features dynamic weather and day-night cycles, which affect the driving conditions and make each race a unique experience.

Forza Horizon 4 offers a wide variety of cars to choose from, ranging from sports cars to off-road vehicles, all of which can be customized and upgraded to suit the player’s driving preferences. The game also features a comprehensive progression system, where players can earn experience points and rewards by completing races, challenges, and other activities.

One of the main features of Forza Horizon 4 is its online multiplayer mode, which allows players to compete against each other in various events, including races, stunt challenges, and team-based games. The game also has a “Horizon Life” mode, where players can interact with other players and participate in various community events and challenges.

Overall, Forza Horizon 4 is a fantastic racing game that offers an immersive open-world experience, stunning graphics, and a wide range of cars and customization options. Whether you’re a fan of racing games or just looking for an exciting and engaging game to play, Forza Horizon 4 is definitely worth checking out.

2. Need for Speed Heat

In 2019, Electronic Arts released Need for Speed Heat, a racing video game developed by Ghost Games and the twenty-fourth installment in the Need for Speed series.

The game takes place in a fictionalized version of Miami called Palm City, where players can explore a vast open-world environment that includes various locations like cities, deserts, mountains, and beaches, each with different challenges and driving experiences.

The game includes a day-night cycle that features sanctioned races and events during the day, while illegal street racing takes place at night, and players must avoid the police. The game offers a wide variety of cars, from sports cars to off-road vehicles, that players can customize and upgrade based on their driving preferences.

Need for Speed Heat also features a comprehensive progression system that allows players to earn experience points and rewards by completing races, challenges, and other activities. The game’s “Heat” system is a standout feature, which determines how aggressive the police will be towards players based on their level of engagement in illegal activities like street racing and evading the police. This adds a new level of tension and excitement to the game as players must balance their desire to progress and earn rewards with the risk of being caught by the police.

Another notable feature of Need for Speed Heat is its extensive customization options, which include a wide range of parts for cars, such as engines, exhausts, spoilers, and body kits, and a paint and decal editor that allows players to create unique designs and liveries for their cars.

In general, Need for Speed Heat is an immersive and thrilling racing game that offers stunning graphics, an extensive open-world experience, and a range of customization options, making it a must-play for fans of racing games.

3. The Crew 2

The Crew 2 is a racing video game developed by Ivory Tower and published by Ubisoft. It was released in 2018 and is the sequel to the 2014 game, The Crew.

Players can explore a vast open-world environment set in a fantasy USA filled with various locations, including cities, deserts, mountains, and rivers, all of which offer different challenges and driving experiences. The game features a day-night cycle and dynamic weather conditions, which affect the driving conditions and make each race a unique experience.

The Crew 2 offers a wide variety of vehicles to choose from, including cars, motorcycles, planes, and boats, all of which can be customized and upgraded to suit the player’s driving preferences. The game also features a comprehensive progression system, where players can earn experience points and rewards by completing races, challenges, and other activities.

One of the standout features of The Crew 2 is its seamless transition between different vehicle types and disciplines. Players can switch between cars, planes, boats, and motorcycles on the fly, without any loading screens or interruptions. This adds a new level of depth and variety to the game, as players can experiment with different vehicle types and explore the open world in new ways.

Another special feature of The Crew 2 is its online multiplayer mode, which allows players to compete against each other in various events, including races, stunt challenges, and team-based games. The game also has a “Live Xtrem Series” mode, where players can participate in various community events and challenges.

Over all, The Crew 2 is a thrilling and engaging racing game that offers an immersive open-world experience, stunning graphics, and a wide range of vehicles and customization options. Its seamless transition between different vehicle types and disciplines and its online multiplayer mode make it a special addition to the racing genre and a must-play for fans of open-world racing games.

4. Burnout Paradise Remastered

Burnout Paradise Remastered, the classic racing game developed by Criterion Games and published by Electronic Arts, has returned with an upgraded version for modern consoles. The game’s open-world environment, Paradise City, offers a range of locations to explore, including cities, mountains, and beaches, each providing unique driving experiences. The game’s day-night cycle and dynamic weather conditions affect the driving conditions, making every race a unique challenge.

Players can choose from a wide variety of cars, from sports cars to muscle cars, and customize and upgrade them according to their driving preferences. The game also features a comprehensive progression system, where players earn experience points and rewards by completing races, challenges, and other activities.

Burnout Paradise Remastered’s standout feature is its “Showtime” mode, which lets players crash their cars into traffic to cause maximum damage and earn the highest score possible. This mode adds an exciting level of fun and chaos to the game, making it an enjoyable experience.

The game’s online multiplayer mode allows players to compete with others in various events, including races, stunt challenges, and team-based games. The “Freeburn Challenges” mode offers players the chance to participate in community events and challenges.

In summary, Burnout Paradise Remastered is an exciting racing game with an immersive open-world environment, stunning graphics, and a range of customization options. Its “Showtime” mode and online multiplayer mode make it a special addition to the Burnout series, and fans of arcade-style racing games should not miss out on this must-play game.

5. Test Drive Unlimited 2

Test Drive Unlimited 2, the sequel to the original 2006 game, is a racing video game developed by Eden Games and published by Atari. The game takes place on two massive islands, Ibiza and Oahu, providing players with a vast open-world environment to explore, filled with cities, beaches, and mountains, each offering unique driving challenges.

The game’s day-night cycle and dynamic weather conditions affect driving conditions, providing players with an immersive and realistic experience. Test Drive Unlimited 2 offers a wide range of cars to choose from, including sports cars and off-road vehicles, which can be customized and upgraded to cater to the player’s style.

The game features a comprehensive progression system that enables players to earn experience points and rewards by completing races, challenges, and other activities. Test Drive Unlimited 2’s standout feature is its online multiplayer mode, where players can compete against each other in various events, including races, challenges, and team-based games. The game also features a “Club” system, where players can create or join clubs and compete against other clubs in various events.

Test Drive Unlimited 2’s social hub, “The Casino,” is another unique feature where players can interact with each other, purchase cars and houses, and participate in various games, including poker, roulette, and slot machines.

Overall, Test Drive Unlimited 2 is a thrilling racing game that offers an immersive open-world experience, stunning graphics, and a wide range of customization options. Its online multiplayer mode, “Club” system, and social hub make it a must-play for fans of the racing genre, providing an exceptional and engaging experience.

In Conclusion

The open-world racing genre has seen some exceptional titles over the years, providing players with immersive environments, intense racing experiences, and a wide range of customization options. From Burnout Paradise Remastered’s chaotic “Showtime” mode to Test Drive Unlimited 2’s social hub, the genre has evolved to offer players more than just racing.

Other notable games that deserve a mention include Forza Horizon 4, The Crew 2, and Need for Speed: Heat. These games offer players stunning graphics, diverse environments, and a range of challenging races and activities. With their open-world environments, these games provide players with endless possibilities and hours of engaging gameplay.

Also read: The 10 Biggest Open World Video Game Maps

In conclusion, if you’re a fan of racing games, you owe it to yourself to try out some of the best open-world racing games out there. With their immersive environments, dynamic weather conditions, and extensive customization options, these games offer a unique and exciting experience that’s hard to find in other genres. Whether you’re a casual player or a die-hard racing fan, there’s something for everyone in the open-world racing genre.