Even as sim racers, we occasionally need a break from trying to find that final tenth and long gruelling stints on the serious simulators we have in 2024. Here are three refreshing titles that are still related to racing or the automotive world, but give you some time to relax.
Euro Truck Simulator's beautiful landscapes. Image: SCS Software
This sim takes the stress out of driving. Whilst you are racing, you will rarely blink and the level of concentration required can stress you out and leave you feeling tired and potentially frustrated if the result is not what you wanted. When you boot up ETS2, there is something special about loading your truck and getting out on the open road. Just yourself, the tarmac and some good music. Perfect.
ETS2 is one of the most loved driving simulators, having been released over a decade ago in 2012, the community is bigger than ever and new DLC regions and roads are being released constantly by the team at SCS Software - like the most recent update to version 1.51 that overhauled many aspects of the title, such as the German cities of Bremen, Kassel, Osnabrück and Magdeburg, or several quality of life improvements.
The multitude of cargo you can haul in Euro Truck Simulator 2 is simply mindblowing. Image Credit: SCS Software
The main draw of a lot of ETS2's online audience is the open server gameplay where you can make your deliveries but come across players as well as AI trucks and traffic. This creates an amazing balance of interaction and roleplay. Be warned though, some players might forget they are in ETS2 and not Wreckfest...
ETS2 is showing no signs of slowing down any time soon. The release of a market first in the MOZA Racing Truck Wheel Rim allows truckers to get a real sense of what driving these big artic lorries is really like. What's more, at gamescom 2023, MOZA revealed the new stalks available for usage in games like ETS2. These stalks include realistic indicators, headlights and even a cruise control stick.
MOZA Racing Multi-function Stalk.
Do not be put off if you know very little about how cars work mechanically, Car Mechanic Simulator 2021 is very intuitive. You are tasked with repairing customers' cars from simple jobs like changing the brake pads, to full engine and suspension rebuilds.
Engine rebuild stand. Image: Red Dot Games
One of the main goals of the game is to complete all of the story missions. These tasks always have a few paragraphs from the customer hinting at what could be wrong with the vehicle. There are plenty of cars to be found and bought outside of these missions however if you want to be a bit more adventurous.
The story missions are padded out with an endless amount of other missions from customers requiring a variety of fixes ranging from refilling the washer fluid to a complete bodywork replacement and respray. The variety is fantastic, especially if you add some DLC and mods into the to of available vehicles.
Toyota AE86 after undergoing a full nut and bolt restoration. Image: Red Dot Games
One of the highlights of this game over other mechanical simulators is the option to visit the Junkyard and old barns to discover classic cars you can collect, fix and either flip for a profit or add to your collection. There are also piles of car parts that you can search through to get parts at bargain prices.
Car Mechanic Simulator is well supported with a wealth of Steam Workshop additions that sew seamlessly into your career mode without disabling your achievements or progress. You can download everything from classic Mk1 Ford Escort rally cars and Top-fuel Dragsters to Citroen C1s and old rusty BMWs.
From headlight and wheel alignment to a racing livery, you can change and modify everything on your cars. Image: Red Dot Games
Finally, there is a wealth of licensed cars available as DLC. All of the DLC is fairly priced and is not required to complete the game. They simply serve as extra licensed vehicles you can add to your playthrough. The franchise has been updated every three years with a new title, so keep your eyes open for a new Car Mechanic Simulator coming soon!
Circuit Superstars' competitive AI. Image: Original Fire Games
Whilst it may look simple at first, Circuit Superstars is all about perfection. The lines you take and your speed are essential to grabbing the top step of the podium. We here at OverTake played Circuit Superstars as a part of last year's team Chrismas live stream on our Twitch Channel, and the game took over double the time we allotted for it because everyone wanted to keep playing!
This title has a lot more to offer than simply just the racing. Pitstops, fuel and tyre management are all essential aspects of the racing and the stop-and-dash style keeps it frantic and interesting. Several classes of race cars, customizable races, scalable fuel and tire wear rates - there is a lot to keep things interesting.
While the single-player is fantastic and the racing is intense and very difficult to master, the title falls when it comes to online multiplayer. The population that plays Circuit Superstars spend most of their time in single player and it can often take twenty or more minutes to find a lobby with more than one other person in it.
Circuit Superstars' manic pitstops. Image: Original Fire Games
Around the usual Steam sales, you will more than likely find an online lobby with little difficulty. Once you do get into an online lobby, the servers are stable and consistent and the unpredictability of the racing is what brings this game alive online.
What games do you play when you want to unwind from the serious simulators? Let us know in the comments below!
Euro Truck Simulator 2
From the tight twisty Britsh backroads to the open highways of the German Autobahn; Euro Truck Simulator 2 takes you on tours around Europe that will refresh you and change your mindset when it comes to driving simulators.Euro Truck Simulator's beautiful landscapes. Image: SCS Software
This sim takes the stress out of driving. Whilst you are racing, you will rarely blink and the level of concentration required can stress you out and leave you feeling tired and potentially frustrated if the result is not what you wanted. When you boot up ETS2, there is something special about loading your truck and getting out on the open road. Just yourself, the tarmac and some good music. Perfect.
ETS2 is one of the most loved driving simulators, having been released over a decade ago in 2012, the community is bigger than ever and new DLC regions and roads are being released constantly by the team at SCS Software - like the most recent update to version 1.51 that overhauled many aspects of the title, such as the German cities of Bremen, Kassel, Osnabrück and Magdeburg, or several quality of life improvements.
The multitude of cargo you can haul in Euro Truck Simulator 2 is simply mindblowing. Image Credit: SCS Software
The main draw of a lot of ETS2's online audience is the open server gameplay where you can make your deliveries but come across players as well as AI trucks and traffic. This creates an amazing balance of interaction and roleplay. Be warned though, some players might forget they are in ETS2 and not Wreckfest...
ETS2 is showing no signs of slowing down any time soon. The release of a market first in the MOZA Racing Truck Wheel Rim allows truckers to get a real sense of what driving these big artic lorries is really like. What's more, at gamescom 2023, MOZA revealed the new stalks available for usage in games like ETS2. These stalks include realistic indicators, headlights and even a cruise control stick.
MOZA Racing Multi-function Stalk.
Car Mechanic Sim 2021
If you want a break from driving entirely, look no further than Car Mechanic Simulator 2021. Whilst the game is a few years old now, the title has held up fantastically. The goal of the game is the diagnose and repair issues with cars, vans and supercars.Do not be put off if you know very little about how cars work mechanically, Car Mechanic Simulator 2021 is very intuitive. You are tasked with repairing customers' cars from simple jobs like changing the brake pads, to full engine and suspension rebuilds.
Engine rebuild stand. Image: Red Dot Games
One of the main goals of the game is to complete all of the story missions. These tasks always have a few paragraphs from the customer hinting at what could be wrong with the vehicle. There are plenty of cars to be found and bought outside of these missions however if you want to be a bit more adventurous.
The story missions are padded out with an endless amount of other missions from customers requiring a variety of fixes ranging from refilling the washer fluid to a complete bodywork replacement and respray. The variety is fantastic, especially if you add some DLC and mods into the to of available vehicles.
Toyota AE86 after undergoing a full nut and bolt restoration. Image: Red Dot Games
One of the highlights of this game over other mechanical simulators is the option to visit the Junkyard and old barns to discover classic cars you can collect, fix and either flip for a profit or add to your collection. There are also piles of car parts that you can search through to get parts at bargain prices.
Car Mechanic Simulator is well supported with a wealth of Steam Workshop additions that sew seamlessly into your career mode without disabling your achievements or progress. You can download everything from classic Mk1 Ford Escort rally cars and Top-fuel Dragsters to Citroen C1s and old rusty BMWs.
From headlight and wheel alignment to a racing livery, you can change and modify everything on your cars. Image: Red Dot Games
Finally, there is a wealth of licensed cars available as DLC. All of the DLC is fairly priced and is not required to complete the game. They simply serve as extra licensed vehicles you can add to your playthrough. The franchise has been updated every three years with a new title, so keep your eyes open for a new Car Mechanic Simulator coming soon!
Circuit Superstars
Original Fire Games' Circuit Superstars is the studio's debut effort. Originally released in October of 2021, the game is coming up to its third anniversary, and it is still great to jump in and try this difficult-to-master momentum-based racer.Circuit Superstars' competitive AI. Image: Original Fire Games
Whilst it may look simple at first, Circuit Superstars is all about perfection. The lines you take and your speed are essential to grabbing the top step of the podium. We here at OverTake played Circuit Superstars as a part of last year's team Chrismas live stream on our Twitch Channel, and the game took over double the time we allotted for it because everyone wanted to keep playing!
This title has a lot more to offer than simply just the racing. Pitstops, fuel and tyre management are all essential aspects of the racing and the stop-and-dash style keeps it frantic and interesting. Several classes of race cars, customizable races, scalable fuel and tire wear rates - there is a lot to keep things interesting.
While the single-player is fantastic and the racing is intense and very difficult to master, the title falls when it comes to online multiplayer. The population that plays Circuit Superstars spend most of their time in single player and it can often take twenty or more minutes to find a lobby with more than one other person in it.
Circuit Superstars' manic pitstops. Image: Original Fire Games
Around the usual Steam sales, you will more than likely find an online lobby with little difficulty. Once you do get into an online lobby, the servers are stable and consistent and the unpredictability of the racing is what brings this game alive online.
What games do you play when you want to unwind from the serious simulators? Let us know in the comments below!
