Strap in, sim racing fans, because Rennsport has arrived, and it's a bit of a bumpy ride. This new contender in the racing sim arena, aiming to carve out its space among giants, unfortunately, seems to have launched before it was fully ready. It's a bit like expecting a gourmet meal and getting a half-baked biscuit – ironic, considering the game's name!
Initially, the game was slated to be free-to-play, with a controversial NFT system for purchasing cars. Thankfully, the developers changed course, opting for a full retail release. But here's the kicker: the final product feels surprisingly light on content.
While the game boasts a decent selection of tracks, mixing real-world and fictional locations, the car selection is heavily skewed towards GT3 racecars. And this is the part most people miss: other popular classes like hypercars and GT4 are severely underrepresented, with only a handful of options. It seems the developers poured most of their attention into the GT3 cars' handling, as some other vehicles struggle with driveability. The BMW M2 CS Racing Cup car, for example, feels like it's gliding on ice, completely disconnected from the track.
But the issues don't end there. Rennsport is plagued by bugs. Some of these glitches, like a qualifying bug that invalidates your first two laps, can ruin your multiplayer experience, which is a major problem. As for single-player mode? It's almost a complete write-off. The AI opponents seem to redefine the word 'intelligence', with erratic pace, a tendency to crash into you, and the occasional car ending up upside down in the first corner.
However, it's not all bad news. The game runs smoothly on consoles, and the cross-platform multiplayer is a definite plus. This means the daily multiplayer races are well-populated, with consistent physics across both console and PC versions – a rarity in the sim racing world. The track selection also includes some welcome additions, like the Jeddah Corniche Circuit and the Goodwood hillclimb for time trials.
You can absolutely have fun racing GT3 cars in Rennsport's multiplayer mode. But here's where it gets controversial: with so many other racing sims offering similar experiences, Rennsport struggles to stand out. It could have distinguished itself with a broader car selection, superior handling, or a polished, bug-free experience. Unfortunately, it falls short in all these areas. While improvements may come with time, as it stands, Rennsport is a tough sell.
What do you think? Do you agree that the lack of content and bugs are deal-breakers? Or do the cross-platform multiplayer and smooth performance make up for it? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
