Live for Speed

Live for Speed is a realistic racing simulator video game released on the PC platform in the summer of 2002. Even though of its early PC 3D era origins, this title managed to capture the attention of a large number of sim racing fans, and has received several large free updates over the following two decades, culminating with the latest 0.7D release in April of 2022.

Similarly to many other racing simulation titles, Live for Speed focuses on providing players with a realistic driving experience both in single-player and online multiplayer modes, with built-in support for AI-driven cars, various training modes, online lobbies, a replay system, mod support, and much more.

Even though it features aged 3D visuals that are far below the modern standards offered by the current competitors in the sim racing space, the underlying physics and accurate representation of driving have enabled Live for Speed to thrive after its original 2002 release. Even today, many sim racing enthusiasts are praising this title for its great sense of speed, realistic rendering of car physics, and ability to mod the game with a large variety of new cars, tracks, and modes of play.

In its base form, Live for Speed includes a set of 20 vehicles separated into several motorsport categories such as sports cars, GT DTM cars, open-wheel formulas, and more. Out of all available cars, only a few of them are officially licensed (such as Formula BMW, BMW Sauber F1.06, and McGill University's Formula SAE). As for tracks, the game includes only seven of them, all loosely based on real-world environments from Europe and other continents, all featuring multiple drivable configurations.

Due to its age, the game can easily be played on very old PCs, but the modern updates have dramatically expanded the rendering capabilities of this title, bringing to it full support for PC VR headsets (such as HTC Vive and Oculus Rift). The game even features built-in support for 3D TVs! Multiplayer gameplay is routed through LFSWorld.net, a comprehensive statistics website that offers all players access to a database of their achievements, global rankings, hot lap replays, built-in vehicle livery shop, and more.

As expected, Live for Speed can be played with a wide variety of accessories, including a keyboard and mouse, gamepads, and of course a wide variety of wheel setups from all major accessory manufacturers. As of late 2021, the game also received full support from community-created mods, for the creation of not only new liveries but also brand-new car models. To streamline the gameplay in online sessions, the game can automatically track all the mods that players are using and distribute those mods as automatic downloads to all connected players.

Live for Speed is a premium sim racing title, that manages to rise above its retro looks and offer racing fans a playfield where they can seriously test their skills against the best drivers from all over the world.

PROS

• Realistic driving experience
• Built-in support for AI-driven cars
• Various training modes
• Online lobbies and replay system
• Mod support
• Full support for PC VR headsets
• Comprehensive statistics website for multiplayer gameplay

CONS

• Aged 3D visuals
• Limited licensed cars and tracks
• Recommended system requirements may be high for some players

Recommended System Requirements:

• OS: Windows 7, 8.1, 10 or Windows 11
• Processor: Intel or AMD 3 GHz CPU
• Graphics: 3D graphics card with at least 512MB memory