Assetto Corsa EVO is a racing simulation featuring realistic physics, iconic vehicles, and laser-scanned tracks. Read on to learn everything we know, our review of the early access, and more.

Everything We Know About Assetto Corsa EVO

Assetto Corsa EVO Plot

Assetto Corsa EVO doesn’t go heavy on a narrative, as its focus remains purely on the driving experience. However, the progression system introduced in Early Access is something to be excited about. Players are able to earn experience points, work towards acquiring licenses, and eventually build a diverse car collection. This journey mirrors the type of vehicular ownership fantasy that many racing fans adore, and while there’s no grand storyline, the way you shape your racing career is rewarding in its own right

Assetto Corsa EVO Gameplay

Gameplay-wise, Assetto Corsa EVO offers a mix of single-player modes including practice sessions and quick races. The game introduces a much-needed structure with its in-game economy, where you can purchase cars, rent them, or gain rewards that enhance your driving profile. The inclusion of a driving academy and license progression is one of the standout features for players who need a little more help learning tracks. There’s plenty of potential here for solo players, and the driving academy helps to break down each track in a way that makes it accessible to all skill levels.

Assetto Corsa EVO Release Date

The Early Access version of Assetto Corsa EVO is available now on Steam as of January 16. As it’s still in development, players can expect new content and updates over time.

Steam
Price		$39.99

Assetto Corsa EVO Review (Early Access)

Rough Ride But Has Big Potential

For fans of the racing sim genre, the anticipation surrounding Assetto Corsa EVO has been palpable. The name alone invokes memories of the iconic Assetto Corsa and Assetto Corsa Competizione, both known for their realistic physics and attention to detail. When the announcement for EVO came, it felt like the next logical step in the evolution of the series. As someone who’s poured hours into past iterations, I couldn’t wait to see how Kunos Simulazioni would build upon its legacy. However, while there’s promise in EVO, the current Early Access build doesn’t quite hit the mark just yet.

The first few moments behind the wheel were a familiar rush—familiar in the best way. There's an immediate sense of comfort as you slide into the driver’s seat. The cars are beautifully detailed, and you can feel the physics of each one slowly taking shape. The handling model feels responsive and intricate, with a particular emphasis on weight transfer and braking, a feature that made Assetto Corsa Competizione so popular. But despite these promising signs, it quickly became clear that EVO isn't quite ready for the spotlight.

The Early Access Experience

As an Early Access title, EVO is still under construction, and it shows. The game initially offered a modest selection of five tracks and only a handful of cars—far fewer than the 20 promised for Early Access. This was due to many cars being inaccessible because the servers were down at launch, meaning a significant portion of EVO's content relied on an online connection. However, a few hours after release, a 38GB patch was deployed, enabling players to access all 20 cars offline. Despite this update, other game modes remain unavailable offline, leaving Quick Race and Practice as the only playable options if you’re not online, which contributes to the game feeling incomplete.

Currently, the available tracks—Imola, Suzuka, Laguna Seca, Mount Panorama, and Brands Hatch—offer a decent variety. If you’ve already spent countless hours racing in these circuits, as many sim racers have, the repetitive nature of the content can feel stifling. That said, EVO’s driving model still manages to capture your attention, especially when you get to experience the careful attention to track details and car behavior. But let’s be real, even if this is an Early Access build, the lack of content makes it hard to justify a full purchase, especially at the $31.99 discounted price tag.

This leads us to a bit of a paradox. The driving experience feels solid but not fully refined. The car handling is immersive, especially for those who enjoy the intricacies of braking, acceleration, and tire behavior. However, for those with rigs that are less-than-ideal, this will likely be a frustrating experience. The game struggles to optimize performance, which can be particularly noticeable if you’re not running the latest hardware. The physics and handling may be superb, but the overall gameplay experience is compromised when the technical side of things stutters. Moreover, the controller setup feels sluggish, and there are times when the interface responds too slowly, making menu navigation feel like a chore rather than an integral part of the experience.

A Glimpse of What’s to Come

On paper, EVO seems to be building a better single-player experience compared to its predecessors. The introduction of an in-depth progression system allows players to buy and customize cars, earn experience points, and unlock features as they progress. The driving academy, for example, is a brilliant touch, helping you become familiar with tracks like Imola and Suzuka—an essential feature for newcomers who don’t have every corner memorized. You will even earn driver’s licenses, which help unlock more advanced content. It’s an upgrade that offers a much-needed structure to the solo racing experience, something that was lacking in the original Assetto Corsa. However, it’s important to remember that these will only be available if servers are up and players can access the game online.

This progression system feels incomplete in its current form. The economy of the game is still in its infancy, and the system feels more like a first draft than a fully fleshed-out feature. That said, the driving academy offers an interesting take, helping less experienced drivers find their rhythm, while offering a solid challenge for veterans. But with so much of the game still in flux, it’s hard to tell how these features will evolve over time. Right now, the focus is on refining the single-player modes, which are just beginning to take shape.

Challenging Technical Performance

One of the most glaring issues right now is EVO’s performance optimization—or lack thereof. If you’re running the game on a lower-end setup, be prepared for stuttering, lag, and an overall lack of fluidity in your experience. Despite being a simulation game, the reliance on high-end hardware feels almost excessive. The fact that the game still has a long way to go in terms of optimization becomes painfully obvious. You might find yourself waiting for the experience to feel smoother, but it’s clear that this won’t be the case for some time. If you don’t have a top-tier rig or racing setup, I would strongly recommend waiting until further updates arrive before diving in.

Additionally, the game struggles with issues like slow interface responsiveness, especially when using a controller. The menus feel clunky, and in some cases, navigating through them is an exercise in patience. It doesn’t detract from the driving experience itself, but it certainly disrupts the flow and makes it harder to engage with the game on a deeper level. It's these technical flaws that weigh down EVO’s potential and serve as a constant reminder that it’s not quite finished yet. While the promise of future updates exists, right now, it feels like the game is still finding its feet.

So, is Assetto Corsa EVO worth diving into right now? Personally, as a fan of racing sims, I find myself torn. The anticipation for other features like the career mode and the promise of classic tracks like Nürburgring Nordschleife keep me engaged, but the game’s technical flaws are hard to ignore. The lack of content in Early Access is understandable but still frustrating. With some updates, optimization improvements, and the addition of new content, I can see EVO becoming a fantastic racing sim. But for now, it’s a game that feels incomplete—one that I’ll continue to return to, but not without some reservations. If you’re itching to get behind the wheel and can stomach the current limitations, it’s worth a look. Otherwise, you might want to hold off and let the game mature into its full potential.

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Assetto Corsa EVO Product Information

Title	ASSETTO CORSA EVO
Release Date	January 16, 2025
Developer	KUNOS Simulazioni
Publisher	505 Games
Supported Platforms	PC (Steam)
Genre	Racing, Sports, Simulation
Number of Players	1, Online PvP, Local PvP
ESRB Rating	E
Official Website	Assetto Corsa EVO Official Website

Allisandra Reyes

I find joy in the adrenaline rush of horror games, but my thrill-seeking doesn't stop there. Beyond the digital realm, I like to take on the role of designated GM in TTRPGs.