I came late into Simracing, (2017) so my experience is limited, but... :
# Assetto Corsa is the most complete in the general aspect and still improving thanks to the modders (only 12thousand mods in RD and more in other webs? big lol). And it shows no syntoms about wanting to die, and some of his companions were or are being buried...
# In ffb and physics best ever still is RF2 , followed close by Automobilista 1 in that order.
# In the Rally Field.... Mr Richard Burns Keeps rocking, i f....g enjoy the ffb on my wheel, the best i have got in a rally sim, it has made me appreciate the rallies, and i did not like them initially i prefered circuit action!
# Best for each one? The one that keeps you returning and racing again and again, it doesnt matter if its considered more or less realistic , just the one that you enjoy most!
# Good memories? : Gran Turismo, those series that got me into "simracing", i was constantly hit on the servers, then i wanted some more realistic action with people that respected my car and my presence on the server .... i jumped for some months (2-3) to iracing and i did not get what i wanted, assetto the same, only with rf2 and ams i got some polite races in comunities, and i have to say that those were Racedepartment.com and Automobilista Unofficial, but on RD i had to pay to race what i am no fan of this (same reason why i left iracing) and in AMSU grids were fine but with no slow racers as me, and NOW i rarely jump to the online to compete , i know understand the offline simracers! AI usually respects you more and you have your way to be as fast than them (slowering their level!) and the pleasure of rallying alone and simracing some solo sessions.
Yeah, i am getting old and harsh!