Assetto Corsa Rally Review – A Brutal, Beautiful Rally Sim in Early Access
Assetto Corsa Rally lands as a hardcore rally sim: laser‑scanned stages, deep physics and stunning visuals — now with snow, studded tyres and the Alpine A110 Group 4 in 0.2. Great foundation, but Early Access kinks and limited content remain.
I jumped into Assetto Corsa Rally expecting another polished tech demo — instead I found a surprisingly brutal and rewarding sim. Built on AC's physics pedigree and UE5, 0.2 adds snow, studded tyres and the Livigno ice circuit that change how you approach every corner.
This is a driver‑centric rally sim: weight transfer, surface transitions and setup choices actually matter. Core gameplay revolves around laser‑scanned stages (Wales, Alsace and now Livigno ice), realistic FWD/RWD/AWD dynamics and a tyre model that reacts differently to gravel, tarmac and snow. Update 0.2 introduced the Alpine A110 Group 4 1973, snow physics, studded tyres and the Livigno ice circuit for time attack and practice — it’s glorious and terrifying. Car tuning is deep in the Assetto tradition: differentials, brakes, tyre choices and setups change everything. Audio and VFX are top tier for a sim—engine/exhaust notes, snow particles and improved skid audio make the world feel alive. Online leaderboards, time attack “Recommended Time” and faster uploads are already in place. Peripheral support is improving (hat switches, neutral gear bind, double shift, better wheel support) but some players still report mapping headaches and FFB quirks. Performance varies by rig: many praise surprisingly smooth results, others see micro‑stutters or wheel issues. In short: rewarding, demanding, and evolving — a sim that punishes sloppy driving and rewards learning.
If you love hardcore rally sims and own a wheel or good peripherals, Assetto Corsa Rally is a must‑try — brutal, beautiful and improving fast. If you only have a controller or expect tons of content day‑one, wait for more updates.
Pros
- World‑class visuals & sound — the best‑looking rally sim right now.
- Deep, believable physics and tyre model — rewarding once it clicks.
- Sim‑forward design with laser‑scanned stages, detailed setups and improving wheel/peripheral support.
Cons
- Early Access content is limited — few locations and cars for now.
- FFB/input quirks and occasional optimization issues mean some wheels/controllers behave inconsistently.
Player Opinion
Players overwhelmingly praise the physics, laser‑scanned stages and visuals — many call it the most realistic rally sim in years. People with wheels often report great feel, while controller users run into sensitivity/assist issues and some mapping headaches. The community is excited about updates (snow, Alpine A110, Livigno) but wants more content and a clearer roadmap. Overall sentiment: promising and addictive, with a few technical bumps to iron out.