Project Motor Racing: SIRA's view on this divisive title - and should you buy it?
Updated: Sep 2
Highly divisive since its launch back in November 2025, Straight4's Project Motor Racing has been beset with bugs, confusing content and licensing issues (JGTC and Super GT) and a poorly performing Graphics Engine without VR support from the get-go.
It had promised so much, and loudly so. That latter detail not helping the Sim Racing publics reception to what was at first delivered. Sadly, much of the Straight4 team were let go shortly after release, apparently due to poor reception - no doubt after some incredibly hard work and late nights.
Fast forward 8 or so months, and with the highly visible onboarding of Aris Vasilakos (ex-Kunos) to Straight4 to help matters and straighten things out, where is the title now?
To help answer this question, I bought PMR recently and have been playing through the Career Mode, so here are my thoughts, Hopefully I can help you decide if - or when - to pick it up yourself.
I've got to say, a Career Mode in an authentic Sim Racing title (which PMR certainly is, regardless of it being rough around the edges) is a really special thing. Not since Project Cars 2 has the Sim Racing community had a Career mode to get our teeth into, unless you really want to consider the F1 series as 'Sim Racing' ; I certainly don't.
So far I have succesfully completed about 3 Formula Championships within PMR's Career Mode, with the aim to complete all 15 or so, and hopefully witness the results therein.
Cars
During this, the Cars I've raced have been superb : Lotus Elise GT1, Porsche Cayman GT4, Toyota GT-One, and now campaigning the Audi R8 LMP900 car from 2002 - though this car has a tendency for pushing on at corners after heavy braking which is a little unnerving. I certainly can't fault the vehicle models or their engine sounds, I don't feel like anyone will be disappointed here.
Tracks
The tracks themselves are solid, albeit with a small number presented in unlicensed forms. 'Derby' is Donnington, 'Brianza' is Monza, 'Northampton' is Silverstone... you get the idea. While I really enjoy driving Donnington, sorry, 'Derby' - it is an oft-repeated location within the Career mode structure which has resulted in me groaning whenever I'm forced to race there again.
Handling
The vehicle handling is a nice surprise and genuinely shines from within PMR. It is a very reactive, 'alive' model - reminding me of some of the best such as Automobilista 1 and rFactor2 with its directness. It's by no means perfect, especially the inconsistent tyre overheating resulting in unmanageable locking up on certain cars - no amount of cadence braking or adjustment to driving style seems to prevent this. Add in an uncomfortable sounding audio clip for brake squeal and this has been a frustrating part of PMR gameplay for me.
Damage
Another frustration, especially within Career Mode, is the function of damage. Typically, light touches with other vehicles results in either front or rear Aero damage - neither of which are conveyed within the HUD in any form, nor have no perceivable effect to your Vehicles handling... Until you arrive at the end of a straight with rear aero damage, apply the brakes (however carefully) resulting in your Car spinning out in dramatic fashion. A pit stop is essential to fix aero damage - however invisible it may seem, trust me.
AI
AI has actually been benign in my experience ; you learn their habits quickly - they'll rub door to door happily but back off quickly when detecting corner-to-corner proximity. Overall I haven't experienced the hilarious richocheting seen on some YouTubers videos, though in one wet race they all appeared to Pit at the same time and must have all chosen slick tyres as they were gliding off at each and every corner, which was quite amusing - but this was a one-off in about 20 or more races.
Career Mode
The Career mode itself is quite bare-bones with a familiar cycle of 'Sign up to Championship > select the single next available Event > Practise > Quali > Race > hopefully see the Podium animation and earn a little money ; then rinse and repeat within the half dozen or so Events per Championship.
There is a little variety with Wet Weather and Night Races seemingly fixed to specific Events as you work your way through Championships - just expect another wet race at Derby and you won't be disappointed.
Winning any Championship and you'll see the familiar Podium animation (though earning a little more money this time) before gaining another ticked Championship. With enough money you can then buy another Car from a different Class in order to enter one of the other 14 or so class-based Championships.
And repeat.
Crashes (the Software type)
Other than some performance issues at one specific circuit (Derby again - at night and in the rain, if I recall) I've not experienced any crashes other than the game not responding for a while when exiting (GIANTS ENGINE 10.0.0.0 specificially mentioned during that). Career saves have not been affected thankfully, or I'd likely be writing quite a different article here today.
The bottom line
But the bottom line is this : I'm enjoying PMR's Career Mode. All the basic ingredients are there. Career Modes are desired by Sim Racers for good reason: they provide structure to enjoy the provided content. They then sprinkle a little emotional magic with the VO'd Engineer expressing delight or disdain at your progress through each session, the pressures associated with a long campaign, and some (very light) financial balancing thrown on top.
So should you buy Project Motor Racing right now, hold off for a while or stay away entirely?
If you're looking for a Career Mode to enjoy (before Automobilista 2's arrives later this year) AND PMR is on sale somewhere NOT at full price, I'd say 'yes go for it'. That comes with all the caveats that we're acutely aware of, but with a team that is clearly focussed on fixing this project.
For now, I'll continue enjoying my Career.
Chris @ SIRA
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