Open-world racing has far more to offer than just Forza titles. There’s a whole world of racing packed with chaos, that too, without any restrictions. Just you, your car, and the map laid out for you to figure out. These five gems bring something unique to the genre.
So, whether you’re after classical arcade-y fun or survival racing shenanigans, these games pack a dose of just what open-world explorers need.
1. The Crew Motorfest
Forget empty highways and stranded cities. The Crew Motorfest brings Hawaii’s Oahu and Maui to life, turning it into a shrunk, lively map that really helps with that “ghosttown” feeling in every other racing title. Playlists guide you through events like drift battles, supercar sprints, and whatever else there is to offer. However, you can always break off and explore, just as open-world titles are meant to be played.
Boats and planes are part of the fun here, so you get that unique variety that really no other racing game offers. It’s a festival of speed that leads you to explore, and don’t worry, there’s always something new to experience: such is the depth of the game content.
2. Burnout Paradise Remastered
Paradise City lets you loose in Burnout Paradise Remastered. No menus, no hand-holding, just endless highways, huge jumps, and total crash-tatic. The remaster brings overhauled visuals, the addition of bikes, and online showtime events, but the real draw is the unhinged Road Rage and Stunt Runs. Trust me, those NPC cops turn every pursuit into a demolition derby.
If you care a bit more about wrecking stuff and taking part in absolute mayhem, then this one takes the lead. Honestly, it feels better to time the perfect crash in Burnout Paradise Remastered than chase marginal lap times in games like F1 25.
3. SnowRunner
SnowRunner leans towards survival racing, where strategy thrives rather than speed. You race through the wilderness of Michigan, Alaska, and Russia across mud, snow, and tundra. It’s all about planning your route and hauling cargo through punishing terrain. It’s not a “racing” game per-say, but trust me, you’ll get stuck on its impressive gameplay.
Maps keep evolving with mods and DLC, so things keep fresh, and every delivery feels dynamic. It’s less about racing and more about making it back home in one piece. So if you got the kicks, SnowRunner won’t let you down.
4. Pacific Drive
Pacific Drive is a survival horror road trip through the Olympic Exclusion Zone. You build up this battered old station wagon from scavenged parts, dodging storms, radiation, and all sorts of survival weirdness. Upgrading your garage is half the fun, but there’s more to it, too, like the radio chatter at night giving off eerie vibes.
Sure, it differs a bit from traditional open-world titles, but the experience is worth trying out. Less racing, more edge-of-the-seat survival, perfect for thrill seekers.
5. Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown
Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown goes beyond with a downscaled and fictionalized recreation of Hong Kong. You’ve got everything here: road beasts from top-notch brands like Bugatti and Lamborghini, blasting past neon lights and tricky curves. The Solar Hotel serves as your social hub for all those low-ride show-offs and joining leagues.
The driving physics just feel right, whether you’re playing on a full-scale Sim setup or a controller; the arcade-y core stays alive. It’s a lifestyle racing game, and the multiplayer bragging rights are waiting to be claimed.
