Assetto Corsa EVO: Launch Day Issues

The Early Access release is designed to give players a taste of what’s to come while allowing the developers to gather feedback and make improvements. However, as with any Early Access title, players should expect bugs, performance issues, and missing features.

The key question is:

does Assetto Corsa EVO show enough promise to justify jumping in now, or should you wait for the full release?

Early Access Expectations: Bugs, Glitches, Black Screen, Perfomance, VR Issues, Compatibility Issues…

Before diving into the gameplay, it’s important to set the right expectations. Early Access games are, by nature, unfinished products. They are released to the public to gather feedback, identify bugs, and make iterative improvements.

Assetto Corsa EVO is no exception. From the outset, Kunos Simulazioni has been transparent about the state of the game, warning players about potential issues and encouraging constructive feedback.

Despite this transparency, the community’s reaction has been mixed. Some players are thrilled to finally get their hands on the game, while others are frustrated by the performance issues and lack of polish.

Version 0.1.1 of Assetto Corsa EVO is now live. Your support has been overwhelming, thank you! While we resolve the server overload issues to enable online mode for all, we have enabled all cars in offline mode, so that your experience is less limited.

You will now be able to…

— Assetto Corsa (@AC_assettocorsa) January 16, 2025

However, it’s worth remembering that Early Access is a marathon, not a sprint.

The game’s current state is just the starting point, and the developers have a long roadmap of updates and improvements planned.

First Gameplay Impressions

One area where Assetto Corsa EVO shines is its physics engine. From the very first lap, it’s clear that Kunos has put a lot of effort into making the driving experience as realistic as possible.

The weight transfer of the cars feels natural, and you can really sense the suspension working as you navigate corners and bumps. Unlike some other sims, there’s no excessive sliding or exaggerated vibrations, which adds to the immersion.

The force feedback (FFB) is another highlight, though it’s worth noting that FFB settings are highly subjective.

Trail braking, in particular, feels more nuanced than in previous titles, with the car’s behavior changing noticeably as you ease off the brakes.

Cars also feel distinct from one another, with clear differences in handling between front-wheel-drive (FWD) and rear-wheel-drive (RWD) models. For example, the FWD cars exhibit noticeable understeer on corner exits, while the RWD cars are more prone to oversteer.

This level of detail adds depth to the driving experience and makes each car feel unique.

Graphics and Visuals: A Step Forward

Visually, Assetto Corsa EVO is a step up from its predecessors. The cars and tracks are beautifully detailed, with realistic lighting and shadows that add to the immersion.

Dynamic elements, like birds flying over the track, are a nice touch that helps bring the environment to life.

That said, the graphics are not without their issues. We have reported needing to lower their settings to achieve stable frame rates, even on high-end systems.

While the game still looks good at lower settings, it’s clear that there’s room for optimization.

Performance and Hardware Compatibility

Performance is one of the biggest sticking points for Assetto Corsa EVO at this stage. While some players are reporting smooth gameplay, others are struggling with low frame rates and stuttering, even on powerful hardware.

VR performance, in particular, is “unplayable” due to poor frame rates and optimization.

Hardware compatibility is another area that needs work. Some players have had issues with wheel and pedal binding, while others have struggled to get the game running smoothly on triple monitor setups.

Nvidia Surround users have reported mixed results, with some finding it easy to set up and others encountering problems.

Despite these issues, there’s reason to be optimistic. Early patches have already addressed some of the performance problems, and the developers have shown a commitment to improving the game over time.

For now, though, performance is a mixed bag, and your experience will largely depend on your hardware setup.

The Road Ahead

Kunos Simulazioni has laid out a roadmap for Assetto Corsa EVO, with plans to address performance issues, add new content, and improve features like VR support.

While the current state of Assetto Corsa EVO is far from perfect, it’s clear that the developers are committed to making it the best sim racing experience possible. With regular updates and a dedicated community, there’s every reason to believe that the game will continue to improve over time.

Should You Buy Assetto Corsa EVO in Early Access?

The decision to buy Assetto Corsa EVO in Early Access ultimately comes down to your expectations and tolerance for bugs.

If you’re a sim racing enthusiast who’s excited to be part of the development process and doesn’t mind dealing with performance issues, then the game is definitely worth checking out. The physics and driving model alone are enough to make it a compelling experience, and the promise of future updates adds to the appeal.

However, if you’re a more casual player or someone who expects a polished, feature-complete game, you may want to wait for the full release.

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Happy Racing!