As a long-time fan of sim racing, RaceRoom has always held a special place for me. It was the first sim I really sank time into after getting my PC and racing rig set up. Part of the appeal back then was the free-to-play model, affordable DLC, and the strong community leagues. But as the years rolled on and I poured countless hours into Assetto Corsa, ACC, and Automobilista 2, RaceRoom started to feel... dated. The content felt stale, the player base shrank, and even I found myself moving on.
However, with its biggest update in years, I had to ask: is RaceRoom worth trying again in 2024?
The first thing you'll notice after installing the latest update is the massive graphical overhaul. While the core look still retains that familiar RaceRoom feel, the difference is night and day. Improved lighting, dynamic weather effects, and richer environments have completely transformed the game's visuals. Corners now feel alive as the lighting shifts with the weather, the sky darkens as clouds roll in, and tracks genuinely look more modern.
Is it groundbreaking? Not necessarily. Other sims have had similar features for a while now. But the real point is that RaceRoom no longer looks like a relic from the past—it looks like a game that belongs in 2024. For many sim racers, this addresses one of the biggest reasons for stepping away: the outdated visuals. With this update, that argument no longer holds weight.
Beyond the graphics, the update brings some amazing new content. The addition of DTM 95 and DTM 2024 cars brings a variety of racing experiences, from the raw, old-school power of the mid-90s touring cars to the cutting-edge speed of today’s machines. The DTM 95 cars, in particular, are an absolute joy to drive—big, aggressive aero and an irresistible “just one more lap” kind of feel. These cars pull you in, and the more you race them, the more you want to keep pushing.
As for tracks, Diepholz surprised me the most. At first, I was skeptical—it’s an airfield-based circuit that didn’t seem all that exciting. But once I took it for a spin, I was hooked. The fast chicanes and bumpy curbs in the final sector make for an exhilarating experience, and the visual detail of the track is top-notch. It’s the kind of track that feels unique because you can’t race it anywhere else.
Avus, on the other hand, felt nostalgic for me. Having been to parts of the real track in Berlin, it was surreal to race on it in-game. That said, Turn 1 is notoriously tight and tricky, so finding the right wheel settings for this track is essential.
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One area where RaceRoom continues to excel is its single-player mode. The AI is superb and puts up a genuinely competitive fight, once you dial in the difficulty settings. It’s a refreshing change from some other sims where AI races can feel scripted or lifeless. For players who enjoy offline racing or don’t always want to deal with multiplayer chaos, RaceRoom delivers consistently exciting battles against AI opponents.
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Despite all the positives, RaceRoom still has areas that need improvement. The multiplayer player base remains a big challenge. Even with excellent built-in ranked multiplayer and easy-to-access community events (shoutout to simracing.gp), the lack of active players makes it hard to find competitive online races. That’s a problem, and one that won’t be solved easily without a larger marketing push or more players giving the game another shot.
Another drawback is the outdated UI. While the graphics may have had a facelift, the menus and on-track overlays still feel stuck in the past. Navigating through the game isn’t as smooth or modern as it could be, and this is an area that KW Studios will hopefully address soon.
If you're asking whether it's worth trying RaceRoom again in 2024, the answer is a resounding yes. The graphics overhaul, the fresh DTM content, and unique tracks like Diepholz make it feel like a brand-new experience. Sure, there’s no wet weather racing or driver swaps yet, but the core racing experience—whether in single-player or ranked multiplayer—is superb.
At simracing.gp, we're planning more RaceRoom events to bring the community together. Our upcoming DTM 95 league is the perfect chance to dive into the new content and experience the game’s updates first-hand. If you’re on the fence, remember that RaceRoom is free to download and play. Plus, you can test drive any car before you decide to buy it. So why not give it a go? There's life in RaceRoom yet, and I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how far it's come.
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