Since its debut in 1997 on the original PlayStation, the Gran Turismo franchise has sold over 90 million copies worldwide, making it Sony's most successful gaming series. Riding the success, it even got its film adaptation in 2023. It's a sim racing game, which means it’s built to simulate real-life driving as accurately as possible.
So, you will get realistic car handling, tire grip, braking, and acceleration to give you the best real-life experience possible with some of the best car models. Even the latest entry in the series, Gran Turismo 7, features 400 cars, 90+ track layouts, and advanced weather systems that push the boundaries for sim racing.
But there’s a catch: Gran Turismo has always been exclusive to PlayStation. For PC gamers, that means missing out on one of the most authentic driving experiences in gaming. Fortunately, the PC world does have a few options that will give you almost the same adrenaline-fueled experience. Here are the five best alternatives to Gran Turismo for PC.
Assetto Corsa Competizione
If you have already played Gran Turismo, you know that it is a benchmark for realistic driving games. Similarly, Assetto Corsa Competizione is one of its closest competitors in both the highly realistic experience and overall gameplay departments.
This game consists of GT3 and GT4 cars that the player can use to race against AI in offline mode, which is among the best in the sim racing category, or player against real players in online mode. In Assetto Corsa Competizione, we can access various modes, which include offline career, custom championships, special events, and multiplayer.
One of the best features of this game is that offline races can be saved and can be resumed whenever the player wants to continue, and you can also create races with just one type of car, like a Porsche, Lamborghini, or Ferrari series. ACC’s precision physics, changing weather mechanisms, and car-specific handling make it demanding among racing fans. There is also a crossplay option available between PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
Forza Motorsport
We won't be wrong if we say that Forza Motorsports is basically Microsoft's Gran Turismo, and this one feels like the best version yet in the Forza series.
The game launched with more than 500 cars, and that’s not a copy-paste list either, as many of them are new to the series. On top of that, you’ve got 800 upgrades. But here’s where Forza changes things: you don’t just buy upgrades straight out of the gate. Instead, you level up your cars as you race, unlocking “Car Points” that can be spent on performance parts.
Track variety is solid, with 20 locations at launch. Some are returning fan favorites, while others, like Hakone and Grand Oak, are fresh additions. The visuals are next-level, too, as developers have also incorporated a live ray tracing system apart from replays.
Furthermore, damaged models will matter here as you will notice tires wearing down, bodywork getting scratched, paint chipping away, and dirt building up, depending on how you drive. If you’re willing to put the time in, it’s one of the most rewarding racing sims on PC you can play right now.
iFactor2
If you’ve spent any time in the sim racing community, you’ve definitely heard about rFactor 2. It’s not the flashiest racing game out there, but for pure physics and realism, this one is legendary.
Originally developed by Image Space Incorporated and now maintained by Studio 397, rFactor 2 has been around for over a decade, and yet it still finds itself in conversations about the best racing sims ever made.
The very first thing is its physics, especially its most advanced tire models, which result in variable grip. For instance, the grip of your tire may change depending on the temperature, wear, and track surface.
Content-wise, rFactor 2 doesn’t compete with Forza or Project CARS in sheer quantity, but it makes up for it in quality. On top of that, the modding community is massive, so you’ll find everything from historic F1 cars to interesting circuits made by fans.
Mods are such a core part of rFactor 2 that many players consider them essential to getting the most out of the game. Of course, it’s not perfect. The visuals look dated compared to modern Sims, and newcomers might feel overwhelmed at the initial stages.
Forza Horizon 5
Forza Horizon 5 is an open-world racing game that is set in a digital version of Mexico. If we compare, this game's map is much bigger than the previous games in this series, as we can see volcanoes, jungles, beaches, old Mayan temples, and busy towns like Guanajuato in it. In view of keeping the experience fresh, Horizon 5 has seasonal events that rotate regularly.
There are all kinds of customization possibilities, including changing the color, adding parts, modifying parts of the engine, or swapping out the drivetrain. Weather and time-of-day systems in Horizon 5 are fully dynamic. For example, Rain can make roads slippery, sandstorms reduce visibility in desert areas, and night races feel completely different from daytime.
The sound design is solid, cars' engines roar differently depending on type, and off-road terrain affects how vehicles sound. The gameplay loop is ridiculously addictive. You’ve got story-driven missions and online multiplayer festivals where you can race friends or jump into random co-op challenges.
Automobilista 2
Automobilista 2 is arguably one of the most underrated sim racing titles on PC. Using the same engine as Project CARS 2, it offers great visuals, realistic physics, and better handling. There are a ton of vehicles - 175 (including downloadable content), with a wide range of vehicles available from formula cars, karts, to endurance racing vehicles.
The game offers 59 track locations and 189 total layouts (including some historical variations), and thus, there is plenty of replay value. The other major player is the motorsport culture from South America, which has its own unique set of cars and tracks you won't find in other sim titles.
The game also functions in virtual reality (VR), so players are able to have a greater immersion when racing. For PC players looking for a realistic and varied racing simulator, Automobilista 2 is a hidden gem.
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