When Assetto Corsa Rally dropped on Steam Early Access on November 13, 2024, nobody expected it to be this good. Developed by Kunos Simulazioni and Supernova Games Studios, this rally sim doesn’t hold your hand—it throws you headfirst into gravel, demands respect, and makes you earn every clean stage completion.
Table of Contents
What You’re Getting: Buckle Up Launch Lineup
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Date | November 13, 2024 (Early Access) |
| Price | $30 USD (launch discount: $24) |
| Platform | PC (Steam) |
| Cars | 10 vehicles (1964-2021) |
| Stages | 4 full stages (Wales & Alsace) |
| Engine | AC Physics + Unreal Engine 5 |
| Controller Support | Yes (wheel recommended) |
| VR Support | Coming in 1.0 release |
The Good Stuff: What Works Brilliantly
Assetto Corsa Rally features real stretches of dirt and tarmac that have been laser-scanned for inclusion—a first for rally gaming. The result? Terrain changes, vegetation, and elevation shifts all feel believable, making every corner feel earned rather than scripted.
The physics engine demands your full attention and respect. The 1976 Lancia Stratos is a twitchy, oversteering handful that punishes ham-fisted inputs, while modern rally machines like the Hyundai i20 Rally2 offer more forgiveness—but only if you treat them right. If you’re used to Codemasters’ titles, the diminished level of grip is the first thing you notice.
The co-driver system deserves special praise. The game includes an encyclopedia explaining what each pace note means, transforming reactive scrambling into proactive driving. Trust your co-driver or meet a tree—your choice.
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The Reality Check: Areas Needing Work
Let’s be honest—this is Early Access, and it shows in places. The biggest omission at the moment is the lack of multiplayer, which feels like a massive gap for competitive players. NPCs behave like generic background characters, and both the driver and co-driver rarely show any emotion.
Content is sparse. Ten cars and four stages won’t satisfy everyone long-term, though Supernova says the 1.0 release won’t be more than 18 months out and will comprise 30 cars and 10 full special stages across five locations.
The Verdict: Built for Purists
After extensive testing, this deserves a solid 8.5/10. This isn’t an arcade romp where you can fling a rally car sideways at 150mph while checking your phone—it’s a proper simulation that separates enthusiasts from casual players.
ACR is designed to be even more brutally realistic than Dirt Rally, and that’s exactly what hardcore fans have been craving. The foundation is rock-solid; now it needs content to match its ambition.
For official updates and community discussions, visit Kunos Simulazioni’s website.
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FAQs
Is Assetto Corsa Rally playable with a controller or do I need a racing wheel?
Yes, it’s playable with a controller! While Supernova recommends using a wheel-and-pedals setup for the authentic experience, the game supports controllers and feels more comfortable on a gamepad than other Assetto Corsa titles. You’ll need to tweak sensitivity curves and dead zones for optimal performance, but many reviewers successfully completed stages using a DualSense or Xbox controller. That said, force feedback and pedal precision make a proper sim rig the ideal way to experience the game’s realistic physics.
How much content will the full version of Assetto Corsa Rally have?
The Early Access version launches with 10 cars and 4 full stages across Wales and Alsace. Supernova Games Studios has confirmed the 1.0 release (expected within 18 months) will feature 30 cars, 10 full special stages across five locations with 35 total configurations, a full career mode, rally school for beginners, and VR support. The developer plans to add content progressively through Early Access updates, so the game will expand significantly before reaching its final form.