Project CARS 3

Project Cars 3 might not be the sequel you expected from the series, but its shift to a more arcade style of racing is one that makes the series approachable for the first time. It's not a clean cut from its roots, and Project Cars 3 retains just enough of its simulation options to provide enough of a challenge with all of its assists turned off. The transition isn't seamless, with some confounding racing objectives and uneven AI that takes the sting out of some events. But if you're looking for another way to get out on a virtual track, Project Cars 3 is an exhilarating new alternative.

The arcade approach actually works – in a way. But with outdated visuals, AI problems and a few other issues this is less enticing than its predecessor and a racing game that fails to define its character.

Those who expected a chapter capable of making the classic leap in quality to the series created by Slightly Mad Studios, will probably be disappointed by a clear change in the driving model, which is still pleasant and immediate, although decidedly shallow.

Project Cars 3 is a great way to get into sim racing for newcomers thanks to its overtly gamey career mode, but the move into proper ‘simcade’ territory feels odd and unfulfilling.

Project Cars 3 would’ve been more successful if it was called something else. It leaves far too many important features on the table for hardcore racers, with an AI that’s too buggy and weird for new players. It feels rushed and could use some serious patches.

As the existing fans look on with shock, Project Cars 3 decides to make a franchise U-turn. It doesn't cause any huge accidents and merges into the new lane with decent grace, but it's already trailing the pack of other arcade racing games, leaving many to wonder if it was worth doing.

The first Project CARS game designed not only for hardcore simulation fans, but also for more casual racing enthusiasts, was supposed to be love at first sight. Well, it wasn’t. It does boast one of the most enjoyable driving models you can come across nowadays, but it’s not enough. The rest of the game (including the single-player campaign that should have been named Project Grind) falls short of what the best racing games on the market offer. [11/2020, p.52]

Slightly Mad has changed a lot of things with Project Cars, and it's not going to appeal to gamers looking for outright simulation.

Project Cars 3 has an identity crisis, with it’s lacklustre AI and many failings and dropping of many simulation aspects that made the core of the franchise developed by the community. It is a ruthless and utter disappointment to any who backed it. At the same time, it can’t be described as an utterly bad game, because underneath of all of its flaws, some true fun can be found.

Project CARS 3 could have been a nice venture into the arcade genre, but the result is quite disappointing, and overall, we recommend gamers opt for Project CARS 2 which is better, for probably cheaper.

Project CARS 3 is easy to pick up and play but impossible to recommend to Project CARS 2 fans.

A confused identity mixed in with its awkward transition to simcade makes Project CARS 3 one of the least satisfying racing games I've played in years. There may be potential for its more arcade focused design to be developed upon but Slightly Mad Studios is certainly not there yet.