Probably the best VR racing experience on Quest.

As the number of virtual reality (VR) games continues to grow, what we don’t often see is a new game in the racing genre.

For instance, on the PlayStation VR2 (PSVR2) there’s Gran Turismo 7, and Grand Rush Highway Car Traffic Racing Simulator – an absolutely garbage game with a title longer than the time put into creating it. On Quest there are a few more offerings, however, games like Dash Dash World, GRID Legends, and VR Karts: Sprint, are little more than janky and ugly messes that are a waste of at least $20.

As of tomorrow, Nov. 14, a new game enters the race and it’s already setting itself above the rest as it aims to claim top spot in the racing genre.

EXOcars is a buggy (the type of car, there were no technological bugs experienced during review) racing experience that boasts pretty great physics, stellar graphics and a driving experience you simply can’t find in other VR racing games currently offered in the Quest store.

Developed by XOCUS and published by JoyWay (Stride: Fates) the game releases Nov. 14 for Quest and PCVR headsets. The PSVR2 version has been delayed and is expected to launch before the end of November 2024.

The PSVR2 version of the game will boast higher-quality textures, real-time lighting, and post-processing effects. This version will also offer eye tracking and optimized foveated rendering, and enhanced soft shadows for smoother transitions, said Alex Prakhova, a member of the JoyWay team.

in EXOcars, you’re offered a solo campaign which sees you race against ghosts of real players as you aim to improve your driving skills and unlock an abundance of different tracks – ranging from deserts to forests and even shipyards.

Playing in single player is fun when you’re starting out. Since there isn’t a tutorial offered, you’re best off by trying out your buggy on a few tracks to get a feel for the car and understand how everything works. Of course like racing in the real world, the game is as simple as possible – you drive with skill to try and be the best.

Playing on Quest, you’re given the opportunity to use the left thumbstick to steer, however, if you prefer a more realistic experience with the ability to grab the proverbial wheel, you can turn off the thumbstick steering and grab your virtual wheel while moving your hands to drive. Now, this is fun, like really fun. Having played some of the garbage VR driving games out there like Dash Dash World which claims to offer the ability to turn by moving your hands – it’s not that great and actually a pretty piss poor system – EXOcars by far implements the best experience for those who want to play this way.

Of course, this is only after you finetune your steering settings so things feel a little more solid.

If you boot up the game and jump right into a race, you may experience some steering that feels a little too wonky. Of course, the first course available to you is a desert so drifting and things like that are obviously going to happen, but it took a while to get the right steering settings so things felt a little better.

Now, if you’re playing on launch day on PCVR, you’re able to use a connected steering wheel and pedals to play – this will also be available on the PSVR2 when the game launches. Surely a steering wheel is going to be the best way to play, but it really is a fun experience to grab onto the wheel with your controller hands and race around the tracks.

In addition to solo player, the game boasts a pretty expansive multiplayer mode which puts you in the drivers seat against live players. Whether you want to prove you’re the best and cross the finish line first – or play in modes like “combat” and use missiles and other weapons to blast your opponents out of the lead – there are a bunch of ways to play against others in VR.

Having experienced the game prerelease it was still pretty simple to jump into a multiplayer race against other content creators and media. There were no real issues – aside from driving worse than the rest – and this will probably be the definitive way that people picking up EXOcars will play this game.

It should also be noted that the game will offer crossplay. So, whether you’re jumping in on Quest, PC, or PSVR2, you’ll be able to join a race which may be made up of players from all platforms.

Also available to players is the ability to customize things like your buggy, gloves and more. In order to do this, you’ll need to earn in game cash – something you get from competing in races. It also helps if you manage to win as first place gets 2,000 driving bucks – which can get you at least two upgrades if you’re picking the 1,000 valued customizations.

Despite what it may look like to the entitled gamer who expects a gargantuan amount of content, there’s a lot offered here. Since this is already a game that plays well and looks great, knowing that there is more planned content should excite VR racing enthusiasts.

EXOcars have already released a roadmap for the next few months which include new ways to tune your car (coming Dec. 12), or next year’s update which includes a new buggy type and multiplayer mode (scheduled to drop between January and February), there’s a lot to look forward to in this game.

If you’re looking for a VR racing game that really stands out, EXOcars is definitely one you should try. While there are good racing games on other headsets, if nothing else there is really no game on the Quest that can compare to the driving experience you get in EXOcars.

EXOcars, was reviewed on the Quest 3 after receiving pre-release access.