Project Cars review: Finally the game thoroughbred racers have been crying out for is here - and it was worth the wait

Slightly Mad Studios; PS4, Xbox One, PC; £39.85

They made us wait, and wait, and wait, but finally Slightly Mad Studios have released Project Cars, and dare I say it, it was worth the wait.

Originally billed to come out last November, the creators decided to delay it until March in order to ensure it reached its full potential, and then the release was postponed to fine tune the finishing touches. But it’s finally here, and Project Cars feels like the racing game we’ve been crying out for in about a decade.

With an array of motor racing games currently on the market, Project Cars clearly set out where it saw itself. This was a game to take on the behemoths of the racing simulator, a rival to the likes of Gran Turismo and Forza, and the final package they’ve produced is a treat for motorsport enthusiasts.

The trailer itself is enough to whet the appetite of the avid petrol head, as it demonstrates an array of cars, tracks and different modes. Gamers can choose from three different career modes, should they wish to start at the bottom and climb the ladder or begin as a defending champion already at the top.

Then there’s the car line-up. Choose from F1’s to Le Mans prototypes, classic touring cars to superkarts – which are an absolute joy to race in, by the way – and plenty more. The one criticism is that there could be more cars on the game, although with around 80 currently available, you do still get a generous mix of classes.

The tracks are as you’d expect from a Next Generation game in 2015. Having been out and driven the Brands Hatch track during the week that the review took place, I can say that every single bump, crevice and cambered corner has been included, and there’s a good mix of historic grand prix circuits such as Spa-Franchorchamps and Silverstone, to national tracks like Qulton Park and Snetteron and even specialist kart circuits.

The game play can be exhilarating at times, and hugely frustrating at others. Simply put, it's about the most realistic experience you will be treated to without taking to the track. Go too hard on the brakes and you'll lock-up and run deep into a corner, jump on the accelerator too soon and you'll be facing a whole field of cars - up to an impressive 46 in one field - charging at you at high speed.

But we’ve saved the best bit till last. The level of detail given to the conditions during races is nothing short of sublime. Race through the night with the surrounding environment illuminated only by the headlights circulating the track, or cope with the changing light levels as the sun either sets or rises. The extreme weather conditions are incredibly challenging too, as the rain has a significant impact on car handling and control as well as the look of the landscape around the car.

Every now and then, it’s tempting to stop and take in your surroundings, but we can’t be losing ground on our rivals, can we?

Overall, Project Cars feels like the game that should have followed the Toca Race Driver trilogy way back in 2006. It certainly fulfils the demand for motor racing enthusiasts, but if you just want to switch on your console and hit the track, Project Cars is the game for you. If you can avoid the confusing interface and jumbled email system, it’s very easy to just go racing.