Sick of PC2's failings. Is Assetto Corsa worth it?

[mattikake]

As said. There's too many problems, too much crap, too many changes that seem to forever send PC2 backwards as I'm sure you've read about. Too many moments where I realise it's a waste of my life.

I know AC is old and has dwindling numbers of online players but people keep playing so that has to be worth something . I can't help but think this should've been my original entry into sim racing, not PC1.

So to shortcut loads and loads of reading around;

What does this offer over other "sims" on PS4?

How easy is it to "race"?

Are there enough players around to join good racing leagues?

Is the dev support still good and on-going?

Is FFB good (informative/realistic) on a G29 wheel?

 

[Racetee]

AC is praised because of mods on PC which keep the game alive. It's pretty boring on PS4 (if you are not just into hot laping). Maybe go to GTS instead.

 

[DeadHero]

What does this offer over other "sims" on PS4?

In my opinion, It offers the best driving experience, perfectly recreated tracks/cars and great audio. It's not a game for everyone, because It has its fair share of flaws:

• Framerate is not optimal with full grids (unless you play on a PS4 Pro);
• No leaderboards;
• There are not many tracks;
• Many PC features are still missing and we don't know if they will ever be available on consoles;
• Most of the car classes aren't properly fleshed out;

.. just to name a few, but if you put the handling model above anything else, then go for it and you won't be disappointed.

 

[ROBQT]

Totally agree with deadhero

 

[Retiree]

After another fruitless exercise on PC2 today, about my 4th attempt to do something on it I stuck it back in it's case. No matter what I do I cannot get my G29 to even feel like a steering wheel. Spent a hour and a half trying all the setups I could find and it's still hopeless. It's impossible to drive any car I try not only from the steering but the throttle as well. Just touch the pedal and you're doing more burnouts than Ken Block. I have not done a lap yet since I bought it. It's just hopeless.

Then I put Assetto Corsa on which I haven't played for some time and which was ok, but It's had an update and now the steering is crazy on it too. It was so touchy it was all over the track and steering off the road before you even got to the corner. Much adjustment later there was still no joy, back in the box with that too.

Thinking maybe PC2 did something to my wheel, I put GTSport back on when the server maintenance was over, another pain itb, and viola no problem. I don't know what I'm going to do with the other two, maybe turn 'em into frisbees.

ps: This is on PS4.

 

[lancia delta hf]

As said. There's too many problems, too much crap, too many changes that seem to forever send PC2 backwards as I'm sure you've read about. Too many moments where I realise it's a waste of my life.

I know AC is old and has dwindling numbers of online players but people keep playing so that has to be worth something . I can't help but think this should've been my original entry into sim racing, not PC1.

So to shortcut loads and loads of reading around;

What does this offer over other "sims" on PS4?

How easy is it to "race"?

Are there enough players around to join good racing leagues?

Is the dev support still good and on-going?

Is FFB good (informative/realistic) on a G29 wheel?

First thing to do is ignore any "it's a hot lap simulator" nonsense. Online its as active as ever ( which was not massive anyway ) but there are enough players for leagues. I always see 2 or 3 same severs that host leagues. AI is good, sounds are average to great ( earlier models In game such as the lotus being the guilty party). Its pretty easy to set up, it has a nice car list even if the classes aren't fleshed out.

As for support, there is an update coming out on 20 December on PC with Laguna Seca and 7 cars for free. Which will come out on PS4 at a later date ( man/Feb hopefully) along with some bug fixes. Of course it has flaws too but it doesn't have any major inconsistencies or Wtf moments.

Only one way to find out if you like so maybe wait for it to hit the sale.

After another fruitless exercise on PC2 today, about my 4th attempt to do something on it I stuck it back in it's case. No matter what I do I cannot get my G29 to even feel like a steering wheel. Spent a hour and a half trying all the setups I could find and it's still hopeless. It's impossible to drive any car I try not only from the steering but the throttle as well. Just touch the pedal and you're doing more burnouts than Ken Block. I have not done a lap yet since I bought it. It's just hopeless.

Then I put Assetto Corsa on which I haven't played for some time and which was ok, but It's had an update and now the steering is crazy on it too. It was so touchy it was all over the track and steering off the road before you even got to the corner. Much adjustment later there was still no joy, back in the box with that too.

Thinking maybe PC2 did something to my wheel, I put GTSport back on when the server maintenance was over, another pain itb, and viola no problem. I don't know what I'm going to do with the other two, maybe turn 'em into frisbees.

ps: This is on PS4.

Well I thinks it is safe to say its not GTS that is the only game that knows how to make a wheel work. So its most definitely something you are doing wrong if you are just steering off road before you get to a corner. I'm gonna suggest it may have something to do with your steering rotation setting. Maybe someone with G29 can steer ( no pun intended ) on the right direction.

 

[mattikake]

First thing to do is ignore any "it's a hot lap simulator" nonsense. Online its as active as ever ( which was not massive anyway ) but there are enough players for leagues. I always see 2 or 3 same severs that host leagues. AI is good, sounds are average to great ( earlier models In game such as the lotus being the guilty party). Its pretty easy to set up, it has a nice car list even if the classes aren't fleshed out.

As for support, there is an update coming out on 20 December on PC with Laguna Seca and 7 cars for free. Which will come out on PS4 at a later date ( man/Feb hopefully) along with some bug fixes. Of course it has flaws too but it doesn't have any major inconsistencies or Wtf moments.

So the devs are still releasing content? That's very encouraging.

I have no idea how the online racing works, I will find out, but - 2 or 3 servers - does that there are several servers which host many races?

"but it doesn't have any major inconsistencies or Wtf moments." <- probably the most attractive part of the whole thing atm!

 

[DatNoiseV12]

Totally agree with deadhero

Me too

So the devs are still releasing content? That's very encouraging.

Correct, but we dont know if they will release more content in 2018 (besides Laguna Seca and 7 cars for free). Kunos will post a blog near the end of the year where they will detail their plans for the future, so we'll definitely know more by then.

I have no idea how the online racing works, I will find out, but - 2 or 3 servers - does that there are several servers which host many races?

"but it doesn't have any major inconsistencies or Wtf moments." <- probably the most attractive part of the whole thing atm!

Usually there are quite a few open lobbies for GT3 races and the track day servers constantly have 10+ players cruising around the Nordschleife (tourist layout).

 

[lancia delta hf]

So the devs are still releasing content? That's very encouraging.

I have no idea how the online racing works, I will find out, but - 2 or 3 servers - does that there are several servers which host many races?

"but it doesn't have any major inconsistencies or Wtf moments." <- probably the most attractive part of the whole thing atm!

Reg. 2 or 3 servers, what I meant was I see the same servers regularly which are holding leagues or just organised races by the same group of people. You could join those by messaging the host as they're password protected. Other than those there are drag, drift, cruise and race lobbies. There is always a GT3 server about if that's your thing. But as with any game, gathering a group of racers you know is the best way to guarantee clean racing. There are people on here who you could race with.

It is still being supported but we find out in a couple weeks how much longer It will be supported for as they really need to be thinking about a sequel ( which we know they have been researching tech for).

 

[Racetee]

After another fruitless exercise on PC2 today, about my 4th attempt to do something on it I stuck it back in it's case. No matter what I do I cannot get my G29 to even feel like a steering wheel. Spent a hour and a half trying all the setups I could find and it's still hopeless. It's impossible to drive any car I try not only from the steering but the throttle as well. Just touch the pedal and you're doing more burnouts than Ken Block. I have not done a lap yet since I bought it. It's just hopeless.

Sounds like you didn't calibrate pedals, if they feel so sensitive. Or you just don't have the right feeling yet.

Is this your first wheel? You sound like you just don't know how to setup everything. Take a SLOW car and easy track and get used to everything. If you jump into your favourite supercar right away, you will not have much enjoyment

 

[Nielsen]

Online multiplayer is more or less broken on PS4 thanks to an old bug causing unrealistically high track temperatures in lobby sessions. So I'd advice against getting AC for multiplayer until that is fixed, which seems increasingly unlikely after all this time. Nonetheless, it's a great singleplayer title for deep car simulation, laser scanned tracks, hotlapping and track days. Racing works too thanks to a very good AI, but don't expect a detailed motorsport experience or career.

 

[Retiree]

Sounds like you didn't calibrate pedals, if they feel so sensitive. Or you just don't have the right feeling yet.

Is this your first wheel? You sound like you just don't know how to setup everything. Take a SLOW car and easy track and get used to everything. If you jump into your favourite supercar right away, you will not have much enjoyment

Yeah mate, I did the pedals, this is about my sixth wheel and I also have a T300rs that I interchange with the G29. It took a while for GTS to iron out some bugs but when you jump in a car and leave it stock and can't keep it on the track unless you potter around, something is missing. If I find it I'll let you all know.

 

[Fredzy]

Yeah mate, I did the pedals, this is about my sixth wheel and I also have a T300rs that I interchange with the G29. It took a while for GTS to iron out some bugs but when you jump in a car and leave it stock and can't keep it on the track unless you potter around, something is missing. If I find it I'll let you all know.

You were playing PC2, then removed disc, inserted AC and had the wheel issues, correct? I think AC and/or the wheel has problems with scenarios like that. Restart the PS4 (with or without wheel plugged in) and AC will work fine. Just unplugging the wheel and plugging back in might do it. I had that happen a few times going from one game to AC, really screwed up wheel.

 

[Retiree]

You were playing PC2, then removed disc, inserted AC and had the wheel issues, correct? I think AC and/or the wheel has problems with scenarios like that. Restart the PS4 (with or without wheel plugged in) and AC will work fine. Just unplugging the wheel and plugging back in might do it. I had that happen a few times going from one game to AC, really screwed up wheel.

Thank you my friend, I'll do that next time it happens.

 

[Corsa]

As said. There's too many problems, too much crap, too many changes that seem to forever send PC2 backwards as I'm sure you've read about. Too many moments where I realise it's a waste of my life.

I know AC is old and has dwindling numbers of online players but people keep playing so that has to be worth something . I can't help but think this should've been my original entry into sim racing, not PC1.

So to shortcut loads and loads of reading around;

What does this offer over other "sims" on PS4?

How easy is it to "race"?

Are there enough players around to join good racing leagues?

Is the dev support still good and on-going?

Is FFB good (informative/realistic) on a G29 wheel?

It is the most realistic simulation I have ever driven.
The very first lap you do with your G29 you will say whatever you say when you get excited out loud to yourself. Then you will ask why you hadn't gone for it sooner.
It really is that good, and can be had for $29 on the PSN store.

I disagree with your PC2 views vehemently however, and caution if you hate it that much you may be disappointed in AC as they feel very close in physics now.

 

[Georgeagea]

THE best DRIVING SIMULATOR on Ps4, period.
It doesn't simulate other stuff (like day/night, weather, etc.) but for driving feeling, force feedback and physics it RULES.
I'm no fanboy by the way, I have both PC2 and GTS too and I actually play them more than AC.
I love all three of them and each has its pros and cons.

 

[Andyc709292]

We love it as a Thursday night race club.

Things we like:

• Get in and race handling and physics - overall an arrive and drive approach is fine.
• Good selection of cars, all very different.
• On that - learning the cars, we enjoy that as much as racing really.
• Great force feedback.
• Reasonable track selection
• Vote to skip/restart - as we're all mates we can restart a bung start if needs be!

Things we don't like:

• No GT6 style ability to swap cars out whilst in a practice session - so no picking a few cars.
• No Balance of Performance - we have to know our cars to know what matches, or race one make
• Setting up a room can be a bit hit and miss with the cars - no pics, again, you have to know your cars!
• We are getting towards the end of track selection - it's not the end of the world but compared to PCars2 it's tiny!

Overall, we race Assetto by choice. I think a mate said it best, "Out of all the racers Assetto is the one that's most likely to make me a better driver".
I agree, though my comment was "****, out braked myself again..."

Pace of race nights is a bit slow, with extended practice to learn tracks/cars then a reasonable 5-8 lap race.

Send me a friend request, or note I have a (largely defunct) community - we race as friends on on a Thursday night 9pm Australia QLD time, just let me know you're from here, I'm deleting the unsolicited spam friend requests these days.

We also race Pcars2 in a closed room with AI to make up the numbers, but do see that more in line with GT6 - that being a game. Fun if you consider it that.

 

[ALB123]

Thank you my friend, I'll do that next time it happens.

I have a Logitech DFGT. When I'm first put onto the track in my car, if I were to put it in gear and even breathe next to the gas pedal it would be doing donuts like crazy too. I have to press the gas pedal all the way down (I do it in Neutral) and I watch the green bar on my Pedals app go all the way to the top. I do the same thing with the brake pedal. I push it all the way to the floor. Otherwise, I won't get the full range of either pedal. Heck, I get no range at all. I do this with every car & track I drive. It's not a bit deal for me because I'm so used to it. I hope you are able to figure it out. Let us know if you get it working. 👍

 

[Retiree]

I am making progress. I think I may not have calibrated the wheel properly and I've actually done a lap or two, but the ffb is still a problem. It is either too heavy or too light so the experiment continues. I also have a DFGT, can you use it on this game? I never used auto on that, loved that sequential gear stick.

 

[Cote Dazur]

PCars 2 is a great racing game, if you are having big issues, I would fix them first, there will always be issue, in any game.
I would also get AC as it is different and also very interesting if you are into racing game.
One of them will emerge as your favorite, but you should be able to enjoy both, I know I do.

 

[lancia delta hf]

It is the most realistic simulation I have ever driven.
The very first lap you do with your G29 you will say whatever you say when you get excited out loud to yourself. Then you will ask why you hadn't gone for it sooner.
It really is that good, and can be had for $29 on the PSN store.

I disagree with your PC2 views vehemently however, and caution if you hate it that much you may be disappointed in AC as they feel very close in physics now.

Hmm, I have to disagree with the reasoning that one may not like AC if they didn't like Pcars2. I say that because the feelings I got from both games were different. The physics in Pcsrs2 seamed like they were scripted, didn't feel natural. I never once thought "wow these physics are awesome" ( didn't ever think they were bad either). The physics didn't ever call me back to the game, I enjoyed it for the game rather than the demo. AC on the other hand I'm totally engrossed in the driving.

We love it as a Thursday night race club.

Things we like:
Get in and race handling and physics - overall an arrive and drive approach is fine.
Good selection of cars, all very different.
On that - learning the cars, we enjoy that as much as racing really.
Great force feedback.
Reasonable track selection
Vote to skip/restart - as we're all mates we can restart a bung start if needs be!
Things we don't like:
No GT6 style ability to swap cars out whilst in a practice session - so no picking a few cars.
No Balance of Performance - we have to know our cars to know what matches, or race one make
Setting up a room can be a bit hit and miss with the cars - no pics, again, you have to know your cars!
We are getting towards the end of track selection - it's not the end of the world but compared to PCars2 it's tiny!
Overall, we race Assetto by choice. I think a mate said it best, "Out of all the racers Assetto is the one that's most likely to make me a better driver".
I agree, though my comment was "****, out braked myself again..."

Pace of race nights is a bit slow, with extended practice to learn tracks/cars then a reasonable 5-8 lap race.

Send me a friend request, or note I have a (largely defunct) community - we race as friends on on a Thursday night 9pm Australia QLD time, just let me know you're from here, I'm deleting the unsolicited spam friend requests these days.

We also race Pcars2 in a closed room with AI to make up the numbers, but do see that more in line with GT6 - that being a game. Fun if you consider it that.

I have a Google document that has the fastest times for each car on each track if you would like it. You can see what cars match up will even if entirely different classes. I didn't make it btw.

 

[MarcoGT5]

PC2 ffb just felt weird, clunky and unatural, just can't drive it with a G29.
With Assetto Corsa I love driving more than my real life car and it's a great little car. Never fails to amaze me every time I play AC how good it is. Haven't been doing any racing lately just go for a drive, slidey drift session now and again and replay it over and over watching from different camera views. The awesome drift shots leave me in awe shaking my head how good this is and feels.

The la ferrari for example on pc2 I drove, wtf this doesn't feel real.
On AC on the Nordschleife Feels amazing the best car and track combo ever made

 

[ALB123]

Does Project Cars 2 have a pedals app like we have in Assetto Corsa? I haven't played PC2, so I can't comment on how the FFB feels, but I'm often seeing people crap on the FFB of PCars 2 and I wonder if those people have their FFB set too strong and it's constantly clipping? If so, I would think that would "feel dead" which is what I've heard from some people...Without having driven in PC2 I can still safely say that setting FFB in AC is so nice and easy. Fine tuning might take a little while (playing with the sliders for Road/Kerb), but leaving those at 0 should still provide a great feel.

 

[Georgeagea]

@ALB123
I can even see the FFB on my console (ps4). It has lots of HUD views/options and one of them shows the FFB in the wheel and where clipping is taking place. Of course you can see also your steering input as well as pedals input.
I hope I got your right and that I'm helping here

 

[BrandonW77]

Does Project Cars 2 have a pedals app like we have in Assetto Corsa? I haven't played PC2, so I can't comment on how the FFB feels, but I'm often seeing people crap on the FFB of PCars 2 and I wonder if those people have their FFB set too strong and it's constantly clipping? If so, I would think that would "feel dead" which is what I've heard from some people...Without having driven in PC2 I can still safely say that setting FFB in AC is so nice and easy. Fine tuning might take a little while (playing with the sliders for Road/Kerb), but leaving those at 0 should still provide a great feel.

I'm nowhere near clipping on PC2 but I don't like the FFB, feels weird, almost scripted.

 

[Scaff]

Hmm, I have to disagree with the reasoning that one may not like AC if they didn't like Pcars2. I say that because the feelings I got from both games were different. The physics in Pcsrs2 seamed like they were scripted, didn't feel natural. I never once thought "wow these physics are awesome" ( didn't ever think they were bad either). The physics didn't ever call me back to the game, I enjoyed it for the game rather than the demo. AC on the other hand I'm totally engrossed in the driving.

I don't find that to be the case, never found the physics in PC2 to feel scripted at all, and with my rig the FFB is not massively different between the two (however AC is much easier to set up in that regard, and is better 'out of the box').

I find it more akin to driving the same cars on two different tyre brands, yes some subtle differences are present but the core under the feels the same.

In one area I even prefer PC2, as for many cars once you get past the limit and have to catch and correct it, I find AC can be too snappy at this point, which I don't find with PC2 at all.

 

[phl0w]

I have both on PS4Pro, and PC
If you're on PC, then AC is definitely worth it. Despite its dated, yet functional graphics I think the sense of speed is superior to PC2, not to mention the sublime FFB, and general playability out of the box. I bought it on release on both Steam, and PSN, yet haven't touched it until last spring. I was turned off by its graphics tbh, however, when much much later I gave it an honest try, I fell for its physics, track detail (did I mention the sense of speed?), and general feel of cars. Doesn't hurt that you can get it for a song on Steam these days.

On PS4Pro I think PC2 has the edge. Better graphics, and solid 60fps with full grids. While, again, physics are superior on AC I cannot stand the micro stuttering, and slowdowns even on a Pro.

 

[BrandonW77]

I don't find that to be the case, never found the physics in PC2 to feel scripted at all, and with my rig the FFB is not massively different between the two (however AC is much easier to set up in that regard, and is better 'out of the box').

I find it more akin to driving the same cars on two different tyre brands, yes some subtle differences are present but the core under the feels the same.

In one area I even prefer PC2, as for many cars once you get past the limit and have to catch and correct it, I find AC can be too snappy at this point, which I don't find with PC2 at all.

Amazing how different people can have such different experiences with the same product. PC2 feels nothing like AC on my system, the FFB is pretty weird and once you pass the limit things get very bizarre and it's very difficult to hold on to the car. "Scripted" is a good way to describe what I feel, as long as everything is going according to script it's mostly ok but once you pass the limit and go off-script I can almost feel the game/physics trying to decide what they should do next. Conversely I get none of that in AC, FFB feels intuitive, I can be very comfortable near the limit, and if I cross the limit everything behaves as I'd expect it to. I'm not debating what you feel or think about the game, it just always fascinates me how different people can have such totally different experiences with the same product.

 

[Scaff]

Amazing how different people can have such different experiences with the same product. PC2 feels nothing like AC on my system, the FFB is pretty weird and once you pass the limit things get very bizarre and it's very difficult to hold on to the car. "Scripted" is a good way to describe what I feel, as long as everything is going according to script it's mostly ok but once you pass the limit and go off-script I can almost feel the game/physics trying to decide what they should do next. Conversely I get none of that in AC, FFB feels intuitive, I can be very comfortable near the limit, and if I cross the limit everything behaves as I'd expect it to. I'm not debating what you feel or think about the game, it just always fascinates me how different people can have such totally different experiences with the same product.

Different interfaces play a part I honestly believe.

 

[phl0w]

Funny you mention the “scripted” feel. I was about to write something similar. With GTS and PC2 to some degree it feels like there’s a threshold of lateral force in place, that once reached sends you off the track. Now, while this is generally expected through Kamm’s Circle, I am under the impression that with both GTS and PC2 reaching the edges of traction isn’t as transparent as it could be. One moment you go flat out through a fast sweeper and before you know it your car flies off sideways without any tactile or auditive warning from the game whatsoever. It seems as if the game decides “you shouldn’t be taking this corner at that speed” and sends you off.
I read quite a few opinions on that matter, who describe a similar sensation.