Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like Project CARS 2 (2026)
Every game below overlaps with Project CARS 2 on things players said about it rather than on our opinion of what feels alike. Each entry shows what it matched on, so you can throw out the ones matching on the part you did not care about.
The short version
- Closest match: DiRT 4, which both open world, atmospheric and difficult.
- Project CARS 2 is tagged Racing, Driving, Automobile Sim, Simulation, VR, Multiplayer, Realistic, Sports by Steam players. Those tags are what the matching runs on.
- 24 games qualify, each with at least fifty player reviews behind its sentiment figure.
- 3 are free to download, so you can test the resemblance yourself at no cost.
- 1 are from the same studio: Project CARS.
How these were matched
Steam tags carry the most weight, because players apply them and they describe how a game feels rather than how it was filed. Souls-like, Atmospheric and Cozy exist as tags and as nothing else, which is exactly the vocabulary this question needs. Formal genres count for less, themes and a shared studio for more.
Tags carried by more than a third of the catalogue are thrown out before matching. Nearly everything is tagged Singleplayer, so matching on it is matching on nothing. That cutoff is computed from the catalogue rather than fixed, so it moves as the catalogue grows.
All 24, closest first
- 1
DiRT 4
Why it matched: both open world, atmospheric and difficult; shares 11 player tags including Racing, Automobile Sim and Simulation; released around the same time (2017).
DiRT 4 is all about embracing fear. It’s about the thrill, exhilaration and adrenaline that is absolutely vital to off-road racing. It’s about loving the feeling of pushing flat out next to a sheer cliff drop, going for the gap that’s too small and seeing how much air you can get. Be Fearless.
DiRT 4 at a glance Released 2017 Studio Codemasters Player sentiment 80% positive of 16,257 Price Not listed RacingAutomobile SimSimulationDrivingSportsRealisticArcadeVR
- 2
Project CARS
Why it matched: made by the same studio, Slightly Mad Studios; both open world and atmospheric; shares 10 player tags including Racing, Simulation and Automobile Sim; released around the same time (2015).
THE ULTIMATE DRIVER JOURNEY delivers the soul of motor racing in the world’s most beautiful, authentic, and technically-advanced racing game.
Project CARS at a glance Released 2015 Studio Slightly Mad Studios Player sentiment 79% positive of 14,438 Price Not listed RacingSimulationAutomobile SimDrivingRealisticSportsVRFirst-Person
- 3
Assetto Corsa Competizione
Why it matched: both open world, atmospheric and difficult; shares 10 player tags including Racing, Automobile Sim and Simulation; released around the same time (2019).
Assetto Corsa Competizione, the official GT World Challenge videogame. Thanks to the extraordinary quality of simulation, you will experience the atmosphere of the GT3 championship. Compete against official drivers, teams, cars and official circuits reproduced to the highest quality ever seen.
Assetto Corsa Competizione at a glance Released 2019 Studio Kunos Simulazioni Player sentiment 93% positive of 48,018 Price $39.99 RacingAutomobile SimSimulationVRDrivingRealisticSportsController
- 4
Forza Horizon 4
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 10 player tags including Racing, Driving and Automobile Sim; released around the same time (2021).
Dynamic seasons change everything at the world’s greatest automotive festival. Go it alone or team up with others to explore beautiful and historic Britain in a shared open world.
Forza Horizon 4 at a glance Released 2021 Studio Playground Games Player sentiment 91% positive of 303,167 Price Not listed RacingDrivingAutomobile SimRealisticControllerSimulationArcadeSports
- 5
DiRT Rally 2.0
Why it matched: both open world and difficult; shares 10 player tags including Racing, Automobile Sim and Simulation; released around the same time (2019).
DiRT Rally 2.0 dares you to carve your way through a selection of iconic rally locations from across the globe, in the most powerful off-road vehicles ever made, knowing that the smallest mistake could end your stage.
DiRT Rally 2.0 at a glance Released 2019 Studio Codemasters Player sentiment 89% positive of 48,388 Price $19.99 RacingAutomobile SimSimulationVRDrivingSportsRealisticDifficult
- 6
RIDE 4
Why it matched: both open world and difficult; shares 10 player tags including Racing, Sports and First-Person; released around the same time (2020).
Are you ready to live the best gaming experience that a motorcycle fan can get? RIDE 4 will spark your competitive soul with hundreds of bikes, dozens of tracks and a whole new level of realism.
RIDE 4 at a glance Released 2020 Studio Milestone S.r.l. Player sentiment 83% positive of 12,391 Price $39.99 RacingSportsFirst-PersonSimulationAutomobile SimDrivingVRController
- 7
Forza Horizon 5
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 9 player tags including Racing, Driving and Automobile Sim; released around the same time (2021).
Explore the vibrant open world landscapes of Mexico with limitless, fun driving action in the world’s greatest cars.
Forza Horizon 5 at a glance Released 2021 Studio Playground Games Player sentiment 89% positive of 279,979 Price $23.99 RacingDrivingAutomobile SimRealisticSimulationArcadeFirst-PersonSports
- 8
F1 2020
Why it matched: both difficult; shares 10 player tags including Racing, Simulation and Sports; released around the same time (2020).
F1® 2020 allows you to create your F1® team for the very first time and race alongside the official teams and drivers. Alternatively, challenge your friends in new split-screen with casual race options for more relaxed racing. Compete on 22 circuits, with current and classic content.
F1 2020 at a glance Released 2020 Studio Codemasters Player sentiment 94% positive of 39,931 Price Not listed RacingSimulationSportsAutomobile SimDifficultDrivingRealisticController
- 9
GRID Autosport
Why it matched: both atmospheric; shares 10 player tags including Racing, Automobile Sim and Sports; released around the same time (2014).
It’s all about the teams, the rivals and the race as you become driver for hire, specialising in your favourite disciplines or conquering them all in an intense world of professional motorsport.
GRID Autosport at a glance Released 2014 Studio Codemasters Racing Player sentiment 78% positive of 8,728 Price Not listed RacingAutomobile SimSportsSimulationDrivingArcadeControllerRealistic
- 10
RaceRoom Racing Experience
Why it matched: both difficult; shares 10 player tags including Racing, Automobile Sim and Realistic; released around the same time (2013).
RaceRoom is free to download and built on true-to-life physics and Force Feedback. Drive DTM, FIA WTCC, WTCR and a huge library of cars and tracks—including the most up-to-date Nordschleife. Jump in, race instantly, and expand your garage with a massive selection of content.
RaceRoom Racing Experience at a glance Released 2013 Studio KW Studios Player sentiment 76% positive of 28,036 Price Free RacingAutomobile SimRealisticDrivingSimulationDifficultSportsController
- 11
Copa Petrobras de Marcas
Why it matched: both open world; shares 9 player tags including Racing, Automobile Sim and Simulation; released around the same time (2015).
COPA PETROBRAS DE MARCAS is a 100% free official game simulating the thrill of competing wheel-to-wheel with models from various automakers in some of the main Brazilian race tracks.
Copa Petrobras de Marcas at a glance Released 2015 Studio Reiza Studios Player sentiment 68% positive of 2,903 Price Free RacingAutomobile SimSimulationSportsControllerFirst-PersonDrivingArcade
- 12
Car Mechanic Simulator 2021
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including Simulation, Automobile Sim and Realistic; released around the same time (2021).
Work your way to a service empire. Get your hands dirty in a highly realistic simulation game that pays major attention to details. Pay a visit to a new Auction house and buy cars in various conditions. Expand your range of services by investing in a new work space and equipment.
Car Mechanic Simulator 2021 at a glance Released 2021 Studio Red Dot Games Player sentiment 96% positive of 38,510 Price $24.99 SimulationAutomobile SimRealisticDrivingRacingFirst-PersonVR
- 13
Car Mechanic Simulator 2015
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including Automobile Sim, Simulation and Driving; released around the same time (2015).
New cars, new tools, new options, more parts and much more fun in the next version of Car Mechanic Simulator! Take your wrench! Create and expand your auto repairs service empire. Car Mechanic Simulator 2015 will take you behind the scenes of daily routine in car workshop.
Car Mechanic Simulator 2015 at a glance Released 2015 Studio Red Dot Games Player sentiment 92% positive of 14,625 Price $19.99 Automobile SimSimulationDrivingRacingFirst-PersonRealisticGreat Soundtrack
- 14
Wreckfest
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including Racing, Automobile Sim and Simulation; released around the same time (2018).
Wreckfest is a demolition derby themed racing game with soft-body damage modeling, sophisticated driving dynamics and in-depth vehicle upgrading, featuring both demolition derbies and more traditional track races. It’s all about fun, breakneck racing and over-the-top crashes.
Wreckfest at a glance Released 2018 Studio Bugbear Player sentiment 88% positive of 41,452 Price $29.99 RacingAutomobile SimSimulationDrivingSportsRealisticArcade
- 15
The Crew 2
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including Racing, Automobile Sim and Driving; released around the same time (2018).
Take on the American motorsports scene as you explore and dominate the land, air, and sea across the entire USA. New: play The Crew 2 offline or online with the new Hybrid mode, available now!
The Crew 2 at a glance Released 2018 Studio Ivory Tower Player sentiment 78% positive of 99,588 Price $29.99 RacingAutomobile SimDrivingArcadeFirst-PersonSimulationSports
- 16
CarX Drift Racing Online
Why it matched: both open world; shares 8 player tags including Racing, Simulation and Automobile Sim; released around the same time (2017).
Master realistic drift physics, tune 120+ cars and drift online with up to 16 players across platforms. Compete in TOP-32, build unique setups and explore hundreds of community-made Workshop maps.
CarX Drift Racing Online at a glance Released 2017 Studio CarX Technologies, LLC Player sentiment 95% positive of 89,251 Price $16.99 RacingSimulationAutomobile SimControllerVRArcadeRealisticSports
- 17
MX Bikes
Why it matched: both difficult; shares 8 player tags including Simulation, VR and Realistic; released around the same time (2019).
MX Bikes is a realistic motocross simulator, based on a scratch built physics engine that accurately simulates motorcycle dynamics and setup options.
MX Bikes at a glance Released 2019 Studio PiBoSo Player sentiment 94% positive of 37,017 Price $34.99 SimulationVRRealisticRacingControllerAutomobile SimDifficultFirst-Person
- 18
My Summer Car
Why it matched: both open world and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Automobile Sim, Simulation and Driving.
My Summer Car is the ultimate car owning, building, fixing, tuning, maintenance AND permadeath life survival simulator. You start the game with hundreds of loose parts and assemble both car and engine.
My Summer Car at a glance Released 2025 Studio Amistech Games Player sentiment 95% positive of 117,158 Price $14.99 Automobile SimSimulationDrivingRealisticFirst-PersonRacingDifficult
- 19
High Octane Drift
Why it matched: both open world; shares 8 player tags including Racing, Automobile Sim and Driving; released around the same time (2016).
Enter the world of professional competitive drift and win online series amongst hundreds of other players to become the living legend. Buy, tune, trade, unite and conquer the drift scene.
High Octane Drift at a glance Released 2016 Studio Cruderocks Player sentiment 55% positive of 5,879 Price Not listed RacingAutomobile SimDrivingSimulationSportsControllerFirst-PersonArcade
- 20
Race The Sun
Why it matched: both atmospheric and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Racing, Driving and Difficult; released around the same time (2013).
You are a solar-powered craft. The sun is your death timer. Hurtle towards the sunset at breakneck speed in a futile race against time. Delay the inevitable by catching speed boosts which reverse the setting sun - if only for a moment. Don't crash, stay in the light, and don't slow down!
Race The Sun at a glance Released 2013 Studio Flippfly LLC Player sentiment 93% positive of 6,354 Price $9.99 RacingDrivingDifficultArcadeVRFirst-Person
- 21
Need for Speed Payback
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including Racing, Controller and Sports; released around the same time (2017).
Set in the underworld of Fortune Valley, you and your crew were divided by betrayal and reunited by revenge to take down The House, a nefarious cartel that rules the city’s casinos, criminals and cops. In this corrupt gambler’s paradise, the stakes are high and The House always wins.
Need for Speed Payback at a glance Released 2017 Studio EA Gothenburg Player sentiment 85% positive of 32,277 Price $29.99 RacingControllerSportsArcadeFirst-PersonSimulation
- 22
Need for Speed Heat
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including Racing, Driving and Arcade; released around the same time (2019).
Hustle by day and risk it all at night in Need for Speed™ Heat Deluxe Edition, a white-knuckle street racer, where the lines of the law fade as the sun starts to set.
Need for Speed Heat at a glance Released 2019 Studio EA Gothenburg Player sentiment 84% positive of 153,208 Price $69.99 RacingDrivingArcadeControllerSportsFirst-Person
- 23
TrackMania Nations Forever
Why it matched: both difficult; shares 8 player tags including Racing, Automobile Sim and Arcade.
A free game in the truest sense of the word, TrackMania Nations Forever lets you drive at mind-blowing speeds on fun and spectacular tracks in solo and multiplayer modes.TrackMania Nations Forever offers a new "Forever" version of the Stadium environment, a solid solo mode and 65 brand new, progressively challenging tracks.
TrackMania Nations Forever at a glance Released 2008 Studio Nadeo Player sentiment 90% positive of 24,368 Price Free RacingAutomobile SimArcadeSimulationControllerSportsDifficultFirst-Person
- 24
MudRunner
Why it matched: both open world and atmospheric; shares 6 player tags including Simulation, Automobile Sim and Driving; released around the same time (2017).
MudRunner is the ultimate off-road experience putting the players in the driver seat and dares them to take charge of incredible all-terrain vehicles, venturing across extreme Siberian landscapes with only a map and compass as guides!
MudRunner at a glance Released 2017 Studio Saber Interactive Player sentiment 92% positive of 44,003 Price $19.99 SimulationAutomobile SimDrivingRealisticRacingFirst-Person
Common questions
What game is most like Project CARS 2?
DiRT 4, on the evidence we have. It both open world, atmospheric and difficult. That is a statement about overlap, not a promise you will like it as much: two games can share every tag and still feel different to play.
How is "similar to Project CARS 2" decided?
By overlap on the tags Steam players applied to each game, the formal genres, the themes both sit in, and whether the same studio made them. Tags carry the most weight because players write them, so they describe how a game feels rather than how it was filed. Tags carried by more than a third of the catalogue are ignored: matching on "Singleplayer" is matching on nothing. Every entry below shows exactly what it matched on.
Are these ranked by quality?
No. They are ordered by how much they overlap with Project CARS 2. Where two games overlap equally, the better received one goes first, but that only moves a game a place or two. Each entry shows its own player sentiment so you can weigh that separately.
What else did the makers of Project CARS 2 do?
Project CARS is also from Slightly Mad Studios, and appears in the list below for that reason as well as on tag overlap.
Do you get paid for these recommendations?
No. The order is computed from tag and genre overlap and nothing else. No placement here can be bought, and a game appearing high on this page is a statement about resemblance rather than an endorsement.