DISCLAIMER FOR MODERATORS: I'm not sure if it's against the rules to discuss about other games in this forum. If it is, please delete this topic. Here's the point. Yes, I love AMS2. And yes, I do acknowledge that karts physics have improved massively for the last couple of patches. They're actually enjoyable but I still prefer karts in AMS1. And yet, both AMS1 and AMS2 don't have as many kart tracks as I'd like. I'm looking for a dedicated kart game, kind of Assetto Corsa Kartizione. What would you guys recommend me?
Kartkraft However, it's abadonware by since Motorsport Games took his hands off it in 2023. Still on Steam, tho. AMS1 / 2 Karts are great too as you said.
OPTIONS SO FAR: #1 - KART KRAFT Lots of drama, lots of problem, but hey it's the same price as a 2 liters Coca-Cola. From what I've heard you still can play the game alone. Some people say you have to be always online and once Motorsport Games turn-off the servers the game won't work. #2 - KART RACING PRO Praised for it's physics, weather system and modding support. But there are no bots, no single player mode. It's also on sale on Steam right now. #3 - rFACTOR2 (KART SIM DLC) Oh boy. Me and RF2 have a long story, mostly a sad one. I just hate how hard it's to setup this game, but I do acknowledge that it's a top simulator. Great physics, rain weather, mods, etc. The only downside is the price.
KartKraft if you want a glorified demo of my favourite karting physics that will become unplayable one day. It 100% requires their online authentication servers to be playable, it's gone down multiple times in it's history. Development was abandoned (and original Studio shut down) since November 2023, which is also when multiplayer became 100% unusable. AI sucks, there is no mods (so the 10 or so track layouts is it, nothing more), there's no full weekend (or championship/career), and even the time trial mode is getting flaky. My full history write-up on it (I followed it since 2008 when first announced, and was part of the closed beta) https://www.reddit.com/r/KartKraftGame/comments/1igvixp/kartkraft_in_memoriam_20082025_part_1/ Kart Racing Pro older visuals, lacks bots as you mentioned (only your own ghost), but has lots of mods (to add extra tracks, kart classes, etc) and working multiplayer (though you will need to find a group/league to find anything active). When the KartKraft discord was full of people who said they were "real life kart racers" they were very 50/50 split between KK and KRP for best physics (but some determined that may be also related to type of tyre they raced on vs the ones they were basing the handling model on) rFactor 2 KartSim DLC yeah it's kinda expensive... it also supports Motorsport Games who killed off KartKraft... but the track models and kart physics are pretty good (though I'd slot it behind KK and KRP)... also rF2 lacks a championship mode (only single races). Also there's lots of kart track mods on the Steam Workshop. Because of this... I basically play KRP for hot lapping, and AMS2 karts for races vs the AI. I too wish AMS2 had more tracks for karts... but is what it is I guess. AMS1 has good karts too, and more mods for tracks. Only remaining options are mods for games like AC, rF1, LFS, etc.
If you think that's kinda expensive, they also make KartSim Pro Ultimate which is the super expensive version, it costs about the same as a full sim rig, but has loads and loads of karts and tracks. (It's technically still an rFactor 2 DLC).
Yeah... I ignore the full KartSim offerings, LOL... they're bit of a joke (as it's still just rF2) or going towards a very specific niche crowd (looking to practice at very specific tracks that they only offer in their premium options).
Is the ams2 karts bad ? Will they be brought up to date/scratch from updates? not tried the karts yet but was planning to
You should try them! It's so refreshing to be able to drive karts in AMS2, when so many other sims these days seem to be mostly about GT racing. And it pairs so well with VR. I hope we get some more karts and kart tracks eventually. The performance gap between the 4-strokes and 125cc 2-strokes is a bit large, would be nice to have something in-between, maybe a junior 2-stroke or a 1980s vintage kart? And also let's get access to the Mosport Karting Centre. I can see it already modeled there in the horizon! Such a good track.
With about 270 hours in AMS 2, I don't think I've ever got round to trying the Karts. I shall make this a priority
They are lots of fun to drive around the tracks. Mind on zero and go with the flow. They teach you some fundaments of racing, like proper racing lines and all that. Great stuff. A few patches ago they received an overhaul as well.
After a long time I tried them again: Wow, they are amazing! You can't compare them as they were some years ago. The AI is good, the FFB feels fine, the tires give a great feedback, the only thing missing is the feeling in my body and the smell of burned rubber and gas. And taking them at night is unbeatable Well done REIZA
