Project Motor Racing

Project Motor Racing is a solid title that offers a truly simulation-driven and layered handling model which, even with all available driving assists enabled, never caters to casual players. There’s no doubt, then, that its target audience consists of true hardcore virtual drivers. In addition to a strong multiplayer component, PMR also strives to deliver a fairly articulated career mode and puts 70 cars and 14 tracks on the table, showing that the team at Straight4 Studios has taken their work very seriously, even though the AI could still be improved. Unfortunately, the PlayStation 5 version shows several graphical issues, starting with reflections and the way light is handled on car bodies, resulting in an extremely “plastic-like” effect. The frame rate isn’t perfect either, and in corners a few FPS are missing—something that becomes even more noticeable in the rain. The DualSense, usually a “secret weapon” that enhances racing games on PS5, is underutilized here, suggesting that the most suitable version of PMR is likely the PC one. Still, Project Motor Racing is a good title, and with a few targeted patches it could raise the bar even further.

Slipping up on its premise, Project Motor Racing failed to deliver a competent and realistic racing experience. While it has qualities such as its selection of cars and tracks, as well as customization options, several things fell short. These include an uninteresting visual style and problems with gameplay and customization. In the end, the game is still a minimally interesting option for fans of the genre, but nothing more than that.

Project Motor Racing is a visually impressive, no-nonsense sim designed for the hardcore crowd. It's punishing and demanding, yet deeply rewarding for those willing to master its steep learning curve. That said, the game lacks flair and the absence of mechanical damage is a missed opportunity.

There's a lot of good and a lot of bad with Project Motor Racing. The handling is unique and challenging, while the Career Mode and online ranked license system are different and unique. The range of cars is great for fans of racing over the years. More will come with DLC in the future, but the various physics elements for the different cars provide something most console racers haven't experienced. The development team really wants to make this as close to the real experience as possible, but unfortunately, the LMDh class is broken and undriveable. The ultimate immersion breaker is just how frustrating and atrocious the AI is, and they can't even be bumped out of the way, all while pushing players around. The online races are fine before release, and having a custom lobby system will be a plus. It's also cross-platform, so the lobbies and races can have the maximum possible players. Project Motor Racing has big issues that hinder the experience, but the GT Cars are worth experiencing.

Project Motor Racing shows clear ambition in trying to deliver a serious racing simulation, with detailed cars, demanding driving physics, and a focus on authentic track experiences. However, technical problems, inconsistent AI behavior, and a lack of polish often undermine that potential, making the experience feel less refined than it should be. As you spend more time on the track, it becomes clear that the game has solid ideas at its core, but struggles to fully realize them.