The long-awaited game Le Mans Ultimate is finally out! If you are an avid racing game fan, chances are Le Mans Ultimate is already on your radar. Yes, it is an Early Access so this game is far from finished. With the release of Le Mans Ultimate behind us, it's time for an in-depth look at what this game has to offer. Doubting whether Le Mans Ultimate deserves a spot in your digital garage? In this in-depth review, we explore all the ins and outs to help you decide if Le Mans Ultimate your investment and get a taste of what this game has to offer.
Development by Studio 397 and Motorsport Games
Studio 397 and Motorsport Games have teamed up to bring us Le Mans Ultimate, officially the game for iconic races such as the World Endurance Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Studio 397 and Motorsport Games are known, among others, for the popular sim game rFactor2. Opting for PC exclusivity and multilingual support at launch makes the game accessible to a global audience. But does it live up to the high expectations?
Innovative Assessment and Safety
What immediately stands out about Le Mans Ultimate is its unique safety and rating system. This system rewards you for agile driving and punishes recklessness. This system is similar to the iRating Safety System of iRacing. This makes every race feel not only exciting but also fair. And thanks to performance ratings, you can see how you compare to other players, which takes the competition to the next level.
A Focus on Official Content
Le Mans Ultimate is fully committed to authenticity, with official licences and partnerships. This means mods are not supported initially, but the focus is on making the racing experience as realistic as possible.
Lively and Detailed Circuits
The promise of Le Mans Ultimate is clear: a racing experience unlike any other, thanks to lifelike scanned tracks. From Le Mans to Spa, every corner and straight has been recreated with an eye for detail, putting you right in the middle of the action. This precision in design ensures an authentic and immersive racing experience.
Confirmed Jobs:
- Circuit de La Sarthe
- Bahrain International Circuit
- Autódromo Internacional do Algarve (Portimão)
- Sebring International Raceway
- Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
- Autodromo Nazionale Monza
- Fuji Speedway
Multiclass Racing
Le Mans Ultimate really shines with its diverse selection of racing cars. From the latest FIA season hypercars to GTEs and LMP2s; there is something for every racing enthusiast. This diversity ensures that you will always find a car that suits your driving style. Multi-class racing is what makes the FIA World Endurance Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans so competitive and exciting for millions of motorsport fans around the world. The top class Hypercars, the stars of tomorrow in LMP2 and the fierce battle in the street car-based GTE class - all are fighting for victory in their class, against the same clock, under the same conditions. Which class will you choose?
Confirmed Cars:
- Hypercar Category
- Ferrari 499P
- Porsche 963
- Cadillac V-Series.R
- Peugeot 9X8
- Toyota GR010 Hybrid
- Glickenhaus SCG 007 LMH
- Vanwall Vandervell 680
- LMP2 Category
- Oreca 07
- GTE Category
- Ferrari 488 GTE Evo
- Aston Martin Vantage AMR
- Porsche 911 RSR-19
- Chevrolet Corvette C8.R
Hypercars
Introduced in 2021, these top-of-the-range sports cars have thrilled the motorsport world in recent years. Innovative, streamlined designs - all powered by different engine configurations - create an exciting spectacle on the track. Well-known brands such as Ferrari, Porsche and Toyota compete at the front for victories at race tracks around the world. With more than 650 hp from the combustion engine and a potential 270 hp equivalent from the hybrid system, these prototype rockets become the best drivers need to get the most out of the cars - while sticking to the strategy for success.
LMP2
The second class of sports prototypes, LMP2, sits directly below the Hypercar category - proving to be the perfect place to cut your teeth in endurance racing. Many drivers and even teams have used this category's platform to shine and launch themselves into the top class with the Hypercar manufacturers and team leaders keeping a close eye on LMP2 for the next batch of talent.
If you can win in this class - you can be confident in other categories - with the LMP2 field using almost identical Gibson-powered ORECAs - tenths of a second can make the difference between winning or losing, with driver input, tuning and strategy being the key ingredients needed to excel in a crowded field.
GTE
The GTE field is supercar heaven, with luxury brands like Aston Martin, Corvette, Ferrari, Porsche appearing at the start. The GTE cars, although a lot slower and heavier than their Hypercar counterparts - still require a high level of respect behind the wheel. When competing for class victory - have one eye on what is happening in front of you as you fight for the win - and one eye in your mirror to stay out of the way of the faster cars on the track - a tricky balancing act. Not for the faint-hearted.
A World of Competition
Le Mans Ultimate's real strength lies in its multiplayer experience. From day one, you dive online to compete against drivers from all over the world in breathtaking endurance races. Races are categorised by skill and vehicle type, making for exciting and fair competitions.
Changing Weather Conditions and Day/Night Cycles
With dynamic weather and realistic day/night transitions, Le Mans Ultimate adds an extra dimension to the racing experience. Sudden rain showers or the transition from day to night can turn races completely upside down, making each race unique and challenging.
Problems and Future Plans
Although the game is still in early access is the game has (relatively) many issues. The development teams are working hard to resolve the issues players are experiencing. Unfortunately, the game currently suffers from a significant number of bugs and the tendency to crash is not uncommon. Critical as I am, I must admit that in my opinion the controls still need refinement and the sound, especially during collisions or crashes, leaves a lot to be desired. At launch, the game supports three-screen configurations, while VR support is still in development. Fans are clamouring loudly for this feature and the team is working hard to fix it.
The user interface also presents its own set of challenges, as we are familiar with in rFactor2. I have to admit, though, that the UI looks a lot better and prettier. Nevertheless, it is undeniable that the game is graphically strong, and while playing it, the underlying potential of this game becomes palpable.
The developers have extensive plans for the future of Le Mans Ultimate, with regular updates and additions planned during the early access period. This includes new tracks, cars, and improvements to overall gameplay and realism.
Early Access - Affordable But Still Lots of Bugs
By participating in Le Mans Ultimate's Early Access, you not only become one of the first to experience the game, but also a valuable member of the community contributing to the final shape of the game. Your feedback can directly influence the development and refinement of the game, potentially leaving your mark on one of the most ambitious racing games of recent years.
With an entry price of €29.99 for the Early Access game, Le Mans Ultimate is an attractive option for the avid racer. Mind you, this price may rise at official launch. And keep in mind that at the moment there is pretty little to do in the game, apart from exciting multiplayer events. While private servers are not available initially, there are plans to add them in the future. This offers the opportunity to fully customise races, from relaxed laps with friends to serious championships.
Closing Thoughts
Le Mans Ultimate is about to take the racing world by storm. Whether you strike immediately on release or wait for further updates, one thing is certain: Le Mans Ultimate promises to revolutionise racing games and this could be a very, very big and popular sim be! We are curious to see if all the promises will be fulfilled. One thing is for sure; Le Mans Ultimate has the potential to become huge. But for that to happen, the developers will have to work hard and update the game quickly and continuously. In any case, I expect the future looks bright for this game. For only 30 euros or so, this Early Access is definitely worth giving a chance!
Buy Le Mans Ultimate on Steam by here click.
