Five video game escape routes for the bored petrolhead

Gran Turismo Sport

Platform: PlayStation 4

Price: $11.99

The original racing sim that started it all, the Gran Turismo series is as old as PlayStation itself. Its latest iteration, the Gran Turismo Sport lets you race in realistic environments rendered in 4K resolution at 60 frames per second. The base games come with over 150 vehicles, which can be driven on 18 locations with 54 different race layouts. The game takes its racing sim heritage very seriously, hosting the in-game FIA-Certified Gran Turismo Championships every year. The winners of the championship are given a TAG Heuer watch, an actual trophy, and are honoured at the FIA Prize Giving Ceremony. The only downside to the game is the fact it's a PlayStation exclusive, meaning you need to buy a console to enjoy this. 

Forza Horizon 4

Platform: Windows, Xbox one

Price: $60-100 (Windows store)

Moving from realistic racing sim to something a bit more arcadey, we have the latest iteration of the Horizon series, the Forza Horizon 4. The game is set in an open world environment based in a fictionalized Great Britain and features a dynamic weather system that changes season every seven days. The base games come with a mind-numbing 450 cars for players to enjoy, with the number rising to a truly crazy 670 cars in you include all the DLC's. There are a wide variety of races to choose from, from your basic time attacks to crazy stunt race to whatever custom stuff you and 74 other players want to try on a single server. Sadly, being a Microsoft title, the game is only available on Xbox and Windows OS, meaning PlayStation and Mac are left out.

Dirt Rally 2.0

Platform: Winnows, Xbox one, PlayStation 4

Price: $13 (PC)

In the world of racing games, the rallycross fans are a neglected bunch. Most games that dose includes rally racing does so an afterthought, leaving the mode half-baked and unsatisfying. The Dirt 2.0 is an exception to this norm, being built from the ground up to be a hardcore rally and rallycross racing simulator for the die-hard fans. The game has over eighty cars, including the insanity that are the Group B machines. Being an official game of the FIA World Rallycross Championship, the game features tracks from the World RX calendar as well as other iconic Rally and Rallycross locations. So, if you are a rallycross fan who always wanted to experience how it feels to drive one of these off-road monsters, better pick this one up.

Project CARS 2 

Platform: Windows, Xbox one, PlayStation 4

Price: $60-90 (PC)

Want an actual racing sim but don't want to invest in a PlayStation? Well, there is Project Cars 2. The second iteration of the series doesn't come with any training gloves, and its steep learning curve will harshly punish casual racing fans. If you can master it, however, the game will give you one of the most realistic portrayal sim racing currently available on the market. It's collection 189 cars is small compared to that of Horizon 4, but the characteristic of those cars has been faithfully recreated, something that you can put to the test on one of the games 140 track layouts placed at 60 different locations. Unlike the previous two games, Project CARS 2 is available on all platforms, meaning all you need to buy is the game itself.  Oh, and did we mention the game has VR support?

Wreckfest

Platform: Winnows, Xbox one, PlayStation 4

Price: $20-30 (PC)

Form racing sim that rewards careful driving to a game that actively encourages you to crash into things, we have Wreckfest. Developed by the same guys who made Flatout, this is a demolition derby teamed racing game were ramming the engine out of your opponent's car is as important as crossing the finish line. The game has over 50 different vehicles, including crazy stuff like a version of Edd China's Sofa car. All the cars have an extremely detailed damage model, which when released onto the game's crazy obstacle tracks, turns into a mangled collection of metal by the end of the race. The games support up to 26 people in an online race, each becoming a giant ball of chaos, destruction, and pure unadulterated fun. Bottom line if you just want to have a great time with your friends or just need to vent some frustration, this game is for you.