Give or take a few, there have reportedly been 42 driving or racing games released in 2023. It might sound like a lot, but according to HowLongToBeat (HLTB), in 2022, there were 71 releases, and 2021 saw 70. It goes without saying that only a handful of these are genuinely good or even outstanding. Now let's see which ones lasted the whole 12 rounds.
On average, HLTB's records say people have spent an average of 37 hours and 17 minutes playing racing games in 2023, with the majority of them on PC.
The most completed racing game this year is Forza Motorsport, with a "main story" completion time of roughly 31 hours. It isn't that surprising, given that review scores held Microsoft's racing sim in high regard. On OpenCritic, it got a score of 84 from 117 critic reviews. On the more popular Metacritic, it also scored 84 from 77 reviews.
Apparently, it did something good because it managed to snag the "Innovation in Accessibility" and "Best Sports/Racing Game" trophies at The Game Awards. I didn't think it was nearly as well put together as Gran Turismo 7, but to each their own.
It's available on Xbox consoles and PC, but if you don't want to fork over $70, you should have a look at Xbox and PC Game Pass. You won't just get Motorsport for free, but every other Microsoft 1st party title, along with tens of other games.
The second most completed game, but for entirely different reasons, is F-Zero 99, available only on Nintendo Switch. It's an NES-inspired online battle royale and got an 80 on Metacritic. But people haven't played until the end credits because it's fantastic, but because it has a game time of four and a half hours.
Photo: EA Games
Coming in 3rd place on the most completed list is F1 23. Autoevolution gave it a 90 out of 100 rating and said, "F1 23 undeniably surpasses its predecessor, F1 22, upon release. However, it remains uncertain whether players will deem this the pinnacle of Codemasters' F1 offerings once the novelty of the new game fades away.
While F1 23 may not fulfill the desires of ardent Formula 1 fans, it excels in providing the most flexible and adaptable F1 experience ever witnessed in a Codemasters game. This year, more than ever, players have the power to shape and personalize their F1 journey to a remarkable extent."
LEGO 2K Drive is at number four, which I found as charming as could be for kids and adults alike. I gave it an 80/100 and thought that while the graphics, sound design, gameplay, and overall experience made up an enchanting and relaxing game that I wished I had growing up, the reality of the monetization elements was dragging the entire experience down. At the same time, playing it in short one or two-hour bursts is the optimum way to enjoy LEGO 2K Drive.
Now, for the fifth most completed game of 2023, we have the superb-looking The Crew Motorfest, developed by Ivory Tower and published by Ubisoft. Autoevolution gave it an 85 score and thought, "The third time seems to be the charm since The Crew Motorfest took its lessons seriously and turned out to be a well-rounded experience," and that it's a "bullseye for those looking for a casual racing experience."
Photo: Autoevolution
At number six, there's the disappointing Disney Speedstorm that could have been much more. However, due to mixed marketing messaging, it didn't come out as initially advertised, meaning free-to-play.
Also, the experience turned out to be too grindy to enjoy over long periods. Now it's free-to-play for those who want to check out this Mario Kart contender. The gameplay isn't bad, the graphics are pretty sweet, and if not for the monetization features, this could really have been a great game.
"WHAT THE CAR?" from Apple Arcade comes in at number seven, a childish, wacky, absurd, and silly run-based game. On the 8th spot is the long-awaited Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged, one of the most fun games from 2023.
Autoevolution gave it a 75 out of 100 and thought, "Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged does not take itself seriously but offers serious fun. Despite its shortcomings, it is a serious improvement over its predecessor, and it is very fun, both in single and couch coop."
Photo: Autoevolution
Number nine belongs to F1 Manager 2023, and lastly, the 10th most finished game this year is MotoGP 23.
The latter title got a 95 rating on Autoevolution saying, "MotoGP 23 is for the hardcore racers who need an extra adrenaline rush at home. You should play it in its most challenging setting and experience all three classes to get the most out of the experience."
Well, there you have it, folks. The top 10 most completed racing games of 2023, according to HLTB. All that's left to do is wait for some bangers in 2024. My personal favorite so far is Pacific Drive.
While it's not a full-on racing game, it reminds me of Dredge, one of my favorite games of 2023, but with a station wagon instead of a boat. Even the eerie atmosphere seems to align perfectly with my tastes.
Codrin just loves American classics, from the 1940s and ‘50s, all the way to the muscle cars of the '60s and '70s. In his perfect world, we'll still see Hudsons and Road Runners roaming the streets for years to come (even in EV form, if that's what it takes to keep the aesthetic alive). Full profile
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