Precision in Every Bump
Assetto Corsa Rally, set to hit Steam Early Access on November 13, 2025, promises a level of realism that could shake up the sim racing world. Developed by Supernova Game Studios in technical partnership with Kunos Simulazioni, the game uses laser-scanning tech to recreate rally stages with jaw-dropping accuracy. Think Welsh gravel roads and Alsace tarmac, captured down to the smallest surface irregularity.
The 33 kilometers of stages across two regions with 18 variants feel alive, with every bump and camber change affecting your car's handling. Paired with a physics engine fine-tuned for rally dynamics, it's as close as you'll get to barreling through a real rally stage without leaving your desk.
A Legacy to Chase
The sim racing community has long revered Richard Burns Rally, a 2004 title that still thrives thanks to relentless modding. Its authentic physics and community-driven updates, like VR support and new stages, set a high bar. Assetto Corsa Rally aims to match that legacy with ten iconic cars, from the Lancia Stratos to the Hyundai i20N Rally2, and plans for over 120 kilometers of stages by full release.
Unlike Richard Burns Rally, which grew through grassroots efforts, Assetto Corsa Rally leans on professional polish from the start. Supernova's team, including former Colin McRae Rally developers, brings deep expertise, but the game's success hinges on delivering the same lasting community passion.
Learning From Past Promises
EA Sports WRC, launched in 2023, offers a cautionary tale. Despite boasting 600 kilometers of stages and 78 vehicles, it stumbled with physics issues and bugs that alienated hardcore sim racers. Assetto Corsa Rally takes a different tack, prioritizing laser-scanned accuracy and a refined physics engine over sheer content volume, even if it starts with just 33 kilometers and ten cars.
The original Assetto Corsa's success, with over ten thousand mods, shows the power of community content. Supernova plans to introduce modding support in the final release, following the successful model of the original Assetto Corsa.
Realism Comes at a Cost
That pinpoint realism demands serious hardware. You'll need at least an Intel Core i7-10700K or Ryzen 5 3600X, 16GB RAM, and an RTX 2080 or RX 6650 XT to hit 60 FPS at 1080p. Triple-screen setups get native support for immersive racing, but VR fans are left waiting, with no support at Early Access launch but confirmed plans for implementation in a future update.
The Early Access scope feels lean, with four special stages across two regions and five game modes. Online multiplayer, another key feature, will be implemented during the Early Access phase. For sim racers used to the depth of modded Richard Burns Rally, this limited starting point might test patience.
Community as Co-Driver
Supernova's choice to use Unreal Engine 5 for visuals, paired with Kunos's physics engine, balances cutting-edge graphics with simulation depth. Real co-driver voices and authentic car audio, recorded from actual rally vehicles, add layers of immersion. But the real test lies in community feedback shaping the Early Access journey.
If Supernova listens to sim racers, delivers steady updates, and nails VR and modding support, Assetto Corsa Rally could rival Richard Burns Rally's enduring appeal. For now, it's a bold step toward redefining rally sims, with the finish line still ahead.