When it comes to racing simulators for VR, PCVR is the place to be. Meta Quest does have a reasonable selection of native racing titles, but very few could be classed as simulators. Mixer Lab Games aims to change this with RACECLUB, and as our buddies at 131XR discover their review, there’s a good foundation; it just needs more.
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F1 on Meta Quest
While the name RACECLUB sounds like it might be a VR version of Forza or Gran Turismo, with a wide variety of cars, classes and motorsport styles, it is not. In fact, RACECLUB focus on one sport in particular, Formula 1, and derivatives of that class.
Taking to the wheel of both combustion and electric race cars, RACECLUB marries both simulation options with arcade-style accessibility. This balance will work well for both racing fans and casual players alike. However, while Mixer Lab Games has built a title focused on realism, and what’s there is good, you’ll race through it all quite quickly.
RACECLUB Review
You can tell RACECLUB has been built for VR, as its core control scheme perfectly immerses you in the racing experience. As 131XR explains in its review, RACECLUB – like many other VR driving games – is best experienced in cockpit mode. Here you can grab the steering wheel and feel like you’re in control of these high-powered sports cars. There is a third-person view from outside the car, but that only offers stick-based control, disconnecting you from the racing experience.
131XR also finds that RACECLUB has been very well put together, both mechanically and visually. It’s a solid game from start to finish, with the controls, feedback and menu interactions offering smooth, accurate gameplay. While the visuals are what you’d expect from a native Meta Quest racer. We’re not expecting Assetto Corsa-level graphics here, with enough detail for a richly rewarding drive.
However, there is one snag, and that’s the amount of content available. For the Early Access launch, RACECLUB will only have a couple of cars and tracks to choose from, as well as two single-player gameplay modes. It’s one of those Early Access situations where there’s a good game being built, there’s just not a lot to keep players entertained.
The Season Needs Filling
Naturally, Mixer Labs Games has already stated that more content is coming. Crucially, that does include a multiplayer mode. Unless it’s a huge, open-world game like Forza Horizon with lots to do, racing games tend to live and die on their multiplayer. Having only a single-player component severely limits both the scope of the game and its replayability.
Not just that, but two tracks are nowhere near enough to sustain early adopters for long. Racing against ghosts is all well and good when you want to refine a track time, not when it’s the only thing to do.
If you decide to pick up RACECLUB early on, let us know your impression in the comments.
