Highlights
SnowRunner provides a highly realistic driving experience on challenging terrain, featuring deep snow, frozen lakes, and muddy conditions. With an extensive selection of more than 80 distinctive trucks, players will be astonished by the intricate yet user-friendly driving mechanics.
Mafia 3 is known for its controversial nature, but its driving mechanics truly shine, particularly when simulation driving is enabled. Reckless driving can intimidate informants into revealing information, and the game's stunningly realistic graphics enhance the overall experience.
On the other hand, Watch Dogs 2 may not boast highly advanced driving mechanics, but its unique feature of hacking other vehicles and manipulating the environment during driving completely revolutionizes the game. Players can strategically cause disruptions by tampering with traffic lights and create chaos through explosive actions, resulting in hours of endless entertainment.
Open-world games offer players the freedom to explore and travel wherever they desire, and those set in modern or futuristic settings can further enhance the experience by allowing players to traverse the virtual world in various vehicles, such as cars.
Although driving from one location to another in any game can be enjoyable, certain open-world games excel in their driving mechanics, enticing players to simply cruise around for pure entertainment. The thrill of speed, the sense of control, and the design of the roads all play a crucial role in determining the driving experience of a game. Furthermore, whether a game opts for realistic or unrealistic driving mechanics, both approaches can be executed splendidly, depending on the overall concept of the title.
6 SnowRunner
SnowRunner stands out as a hidden gem in the gaming world, offering unparalleled driving mechanics, especially on rough terrain. This open-world game provides an exhilarating experience for both solo and co-op players, daring them to conquer extreme and perilous landscapes.
The game's standout feature is its state-of-the-art terrain simulation, presenting players with challenges like deep snow, icy lakes, and, of course, plenty of mud. Every contract requires players to carefully assess the situation and select the most suitable vehicle from a staggering collection of over 80 unique trucks. Each vehicle offers an astonishingly realistic driving experience, surprising players with the intricacies and natural feel of the controls.
5 Mafia 3
Mafia 3 is a divisive game among players, with some expressing disappointment and others praising it as a masterpiece. However, one undeniable aspect of the game is its exceptional driving mechanics. Unfortunately, many players may have overlooked this feature by not enabling simulation driving, which offers greater control to the player.
One of the most enjoyable activities in the game is driving recklessly in order to intimidate informants into divulging information. By driving at high speeds or narrowly avoiding collisions with oncoming vehicles, players can frighten their unwilling passengers into talking. Additionally, the game is renowned for its stunningly realistic graphics.
4 Watch Dogs 2
The driving mechanics in Watch Dogs 2 are reliable and fluid, as expected of a modern game. However, they may not necessarily generate a great deal of exhilaration. Nevertheless, the game-changing ability to hack other vehicles and manipulate the road while driving provides endless entertainment for players.
As players navigate the city streets in the top-notch cars available in Watch Dogs 2, they have the power to hack into traffic lights, creating opportunities or instigating accidents. By hacking the pipes beneath the roads, players can unleash massive explosions that send nearby cars careening off course with a simple button press. The humorous spectacle of witnessing these events unfold never fails to entertain.
3 Euro Truck Simulator 2
Euro Truck Simulator 2 is a prime example of open-world games with exceptional driving mechanics that aren't solely focused on high-speed racing or exhilarating car chases with law enforcement. In this game, players assume the role of a European truck driver and undertake important deliveries throughout the continent.
In addition to the game's management elements that allow players to expand their business and amass wealth, Euro Truck Simulator 2 offers flawless driving mechanics that perfectly simulate the handling of these substantial vehicles. Furthermore, when not bound by contractual obligations, players have the freedom to leisurely explore the vast open world in addition to following the quickest routes.
2 Grand Theft Auto 5
Grand Theft Auto 5 is renowned as one of the greatest video games of all time, primarily due to its exceptional driving experience. Alongside the game's iconic soundtracks, which players can enjoy through their preferred radio station while cruising, the actual mechanics of driving are seamlessly natural and easy to navigate, enabling smooth journeys.
Despite GTA 5's driving mechanics being far from the most realistic, particularly when assuming the role of Franklin and utilizing his time-slowing ability, they are tremendously enjoyable and grant players the freedom to focus on exhilarating car chases, attempting to evade the pursuing cops. Since crashes are a common occurrence in the game, the ability to flip cars, albeit implausibly, is greatly appreciated by players as it allows them to remain engaged in the action and continue driving.
1 Forza Horizon 5
Look no further than Forza Horizon 5 if you're seeking an open-world game that offers realistic driving mechanics and physics favored by professionals. Beyond the exhilarating race tracks, the true delight for many players lies in leisurely exploring the game's meticulously crafted open-world map, inspired by the mesmerizing landscapes of Mexico. With a marvelous assortment of cars that provide an unparalleled driving sensation, Forza Horizon 5 also boasts stunning graphics that effortlessly transport players into a truly immersive and picturesque gaming experience.