After years of waiting, fans finally got their hands on a playable version of the game, and it didn’t disappoint. While many people attend expos to check out the latest in racing hardware, this year’s real star was the software: Assetto Corsa Evoluzione.
An Evolution in Driving Dynamics
The tires in Assetto Corsa Evoluzione feel more responsive and natural than ever before. The slick tires have a noticeable amount of grip, but there’s also an underlying sense of playfulness that allows for controlled slip when pushing the car to its limits.
You don’t feel like the car is stuck to the track, as the tire dynamics allow for slip angles that add to the challenge and thrill of racing.
The real magic happens when you switch to road tires. These tires, especially when driving something like the Hyundai i30 N, felt remarkably similar to real-world road tires. The car behaved like a typical front-wheel-drive hot hatch—nervous on turn-in but controllable with careful weight management.
If you’ve ever driven a hot hatch in real life, you’ll recognize that sensation of feeling the car’s weight shift, which Assetto Corsa Evoluzione nails perfectly.
Force Feedback
Force feedback is crucial for any racing sim, and Assetto Corsa Evoluzione delivers on this front as well. We had the opportunity to try it on two different setups during the expo: the Logitech G Pro Direct Drive Wheel with TrueForce and the Fanatec ClubSport with no additional effects enabled.
- Logitech G Pro with TrueForce: The TrueForce technology adds a bit more tire feel to the force feedback, which some drivers may enjoy. However, it also felt a bit “noisier” compared to the ClubSport, which might not be to everyone’s taste.
- Fanatec ClubSport: On the Fanatec setup, the force feedback was incredibly sharp and precise. The force feedback feels powerful but not overwhelming, giving you enough information about the road without becoming too much to handle.
If you’ve enjoyed the feedback from Assetto Corsa or Competizione, you’ll likely appreciate the balance struck here.
While We didn’t have enough time to fully explore the force feedback on these setups, the first impressions were positive.
Graphics and Performance
From a visual standpoint, Assetto Corsa Evoluzione is stunning. The details in the lighting, car models, and track environments have been taken up a notch from Assetto Corsa Competizione.
The volumetric lighting and day-night transitions look fantastic, particularly when the sun is setting, casting long shadows across the track.
Modding Support: A Key Feature for the Future
A major question on the minds of fans is whether modding will be supported in Assetto Corsa Evoluzione, given how crucial modding was to the success of the original Assetto Corsa.
At the Sim Racing Expo, Marco Massarutto, the Executive Manager of Kunos Simulazioni, confirmed that modding will indeed be supported—but not until after the early access phase has concluded.
A Promising Future for Assetto Corsa Evoluzione
After spending time with Assetto Corsa Evoluzione at the Sim Racing Expo 2024, it’s clear that this game is shaping up to be a significant leap forward for the series.
The combination of advanced driving physics, dynamic weather, and track conditions, as well as stunning visuals, promises to deliver one of the most immersive sim racing experiences available.
Stay tuned for more updates and coverage from the world of Assetto Corsa Evoluzione!
See you on the track!
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