Please note that Automobilista 2 is on sale at Steam at 75% off until January 04. I paid Can$13.50 for it and I suspect it's US$10 in the US. Plus you get to try the Le Mans DLC for free for a few days. Can't think of a better time to get this amazing racing sim.
bargain, one of my favourite sim racing games, would love to try iracing but the subscription model…. ahhh… good for them but terrible for the consumer.
Simple fact is, with RF2’s online, AMS2 updates improving so much, Nords & GT2 coming to ACC, and the mod fest orgy that is AC, it’s a great time to have this silly little hobby we call sim racing 😜
@@lordjuvenile9068 exactly! If online and pc-specs are right (console? even better) - everyone will forget ACC, and maybe even rF2 🥲 Casual - AMS2, stupidrich - iR, rest - AC2 🤣
Honestly AMS2 has become one of my favorite sims in the last few months, it provides the best vr experience along with the best single player racing. Its definitely in the top 3 alongside AC and iRacing. Well done Rieza
Its a great update. Only main problem I have is dynamic weather system in combination with the ai. They dont seem to be effected by rain at all sometimes and just keep going at dry pace when the player is strugling like crazy to keep the car on track.
@@Starmast3rmusic Same, I did a rain race at Watkins Glen and the pace was pretty decent. The only thing I absolutely hate is how lower class cars defend like assholes during practice, Qualy, AND during the race. It really feels like they're not above trying to kill you.
Do you guys really do alot of rain driving? Anyways I did one rain race sunday night in the new GT3's and it was silly easy, but it's the same in ACC rain. It seems like the AI in rain in all sims drops like 10 points in difficulty or something. Fortunately I essentially never do it so it's irrelevant to me - it's like its own thing, a whole different game. @@JohnnyEMatos
@@Starmast3rmusic weird, I tried the same. I started with a dry track into wet and back to dry again. Weirdly enough they didn't pit and never struggled in the rain and just drove on like when it was dry the times also didnt go slower. Maybe its a bug. I will try again later this week and see if anything changes.
AMS2 still has that slippery feel when driving any car, but if you can nail the setup and remove that slippery feeling, its a joy to drive any car. As someone,who never tried Le Mans , i am fully enjoying it in AMS2 , also got some podiums in Multiplayer in it . Great fun and always enjoyable to experience this track
Yeah that's why I have a hard time enjoying AMS2. I love Reiza, I was an early backer, if there is one company who truly cares about the community it's Reiza they are awesome. AMS2 became better update by update, but honestly AMS1 I still prefer and that's old software. They didn't go for the right game engine, you always feel this project cars kind of weightless slippery physics which makes cars less connected. It's fun, but for me that's the reason I don't play it to often. The minute I go to other sims, like Iracing or RF2 I just feel more connected.
Have you tried reducing the camera movement settings? I found changing those (there are videos with showing the settings) and turning the player's tyre volume down completely got rid of that slider feeling except when the rear steps out on you. I think MetzVR's CZcams channel has the settings.
I have never play AMS2 until now. I play ACC and iracing. I gotta say... I LOVE AMS2...it's very fun being able to drive an array of cars. SS and MSAA on high and the game looks amazing! VERY fun game. Feels decent...not the best...but very good.
Great content keep the videos rolling. Ams 2 is a forgiven sim but its fun for me. I like that you don't have to be a super skilled driver, its easier to be more consistent in races.
I've been watching your stuff for a bit over a year or so now, I think. From the very start you've gotten me excited to buy myself a simracing setup and a title such as this one to get started. Unfortunately, I'm still saving up and atm I'm without a job so the wait is going to have to continue a bit longer. But I do still get very excited with the anticipation of that day coming every time you upload a video like this. So here's to another year of exactly that, full of good and fun simracing for you and who knows, perhaps for me as well. Happy new year! 🥂
Friend, sorry to hear about your difficulty being in between jobs - but at 75% off on Steam or around US$10, NOW is the time to nab this amazing title. I bought it and am so very, very glad that I did. Even if you don't get the Le Mans DLC for now (think it's $10) you can always enjoy this amazing racing sim and so much of its content 'till the Le Mans go on sale down the road or your fortunes improve. I can't believe the amazing gift Reiza has given us, which is allowing us to purchase the BEST sim around for a handful of dollars. While iracing is focused on stealing (sorry, taking) our money, this company actually worries about improving every aspect of this already huge title.
@@Slakass55 Thanks for the tip, mate! That would still leave me without a rig though 😅 If you have good budget options for that, maybe I can consider it. But to be honest it would still take some convincing myself; I bought a house and had a baby in the past year-ish, so my priorities *really* are on making sure my finances add up right now.
@@DaTux91 Hey congrats on both acquisitions. Been there, done that, know very well what you mean. And yes, I forgot that a rig is a must for AMS2 and that can easily break the bank. But hey, after 3 kids I managed to hang on to the house and build a racing rig, so there's hope! Best of luck with the new addition to that new home of yours.
just tested yesterday with new Gt3 cars at Le Mans, started a race at 18:00, the setting sun through the trees illuminating the track and the cars was just breathtaking, illuminated my face with an irresistible smile... Then came the night, the struggle to gain or just keep a position, the leds on the cars and panels, then a full course yellow... Just felt so much the Le Mans feeling Everything is not there yet and some things are to improve but Reiza did a fantastic job already.
So far I've only done hotlaps with the Mercedes and Porsche GT3 (low downforce) and the Porsche LMDh. I'm enjoying it and can't wait to do some racing with the lads online!
Great video there Ben, looks like AMS2 is really coming along! What I found really interesting was swapping drivers with an AI in a race. I don't have AMS2 but this makes me think more about getting it. Hope you and your family had nice holidays! Thanks for sharing!!
Let me mention another great feature of this sim that Ben left out: since last night I've been playing with the VR option with a Quest 2 headset. Even had one of my kids play it and he was amazed by how great it looks and how much easier it is to drive, as you can see your opponents to either side by simply turning your head - kinda like how it feels in real life. Been playing with the graphic settings in order to get the most out of this headset and the GTX1660 Super that's powering the game running from the PC with SteamVR pushing the content to the headset via a USB cable. So far it works very well. The sense of "being there" simply cannot be matched by having 3 monitors, or for that matter my 4 metre wide screen. The fact that the sound is all around your head (coming from the Quest speakers) makes you feel as though you are inside the car. Racing that incredible Porsche in the Le Mans circuit means I get to attack the tight turns harder. Maybe because the headset makes it feel as though you ARE in a car racing around Le Mans. Words can't describe what it is like to drive/race in VR, you simply have to experience it. A note on the 3 cars that Reiza included with the Le Mans track: the amount of detail is breathtaking. With the VR headset you get to look around the car and see every bit of detail, from the hex bolt holding the panel to the window sill to the cables connecting to some sort of electronic box, to the many buttons that exist in the real car. Even the carbon fiber all around you look so real you feel like touching it. I have never seen a car model this detailed in any game. Of course the only way to appreciate these details is with a headset as it lets you hone in on every corner inside the car, even behind you. So the feeling of realism is that much true given the detailed work Reiza has put into these models. Speaking of their great work: Le mans looks just fabulous. I often stop in the middle of the track to appreciate the surroundings (in practice mode, not during a race) to look around. You see many of the businesses and houses that I would bet are truly there in the real world. Oh and fog and rain, lightning all looks so very real with the VR headset. So glad that they put so much effort into VR and that I get to benefit from it. Sale ends tomorrow, hopefully the above will prompt you to nab this game while still at 75% off. Even if you don't have a VR headset, it's still totally worth the few dollars for this gem.
Until AMS 2 gives us the ability to save our progress during the race, very few people will ever take part in a full 24 hour race, even with the AI drivers doing stints. I don't want to be able to save the race at any time but only in the pitlane during driver swaps.
I like the update and at last I was able to get a LMDh car around Le Mans without crashing, except when being clouted by the over zealous AI. I think Reiza have done an astonishing job and I like that we have been able to try it before its release, even though I suspect I would have bought it anyway without the test. I have not tried it in the rain or at night but I suspect I will not be dissapointed. I am still amazed at the FFB I get in this game compared to iRacing or ACC. It realy lets me know what the car is doing. I only have a lowly TS-XW but the FFB is great in this SIM. Thanks for the video Ben, and I certainly hope for good things from Reiza with the endurance racing side of things. Now all they need to do is get multiplayer side sorted and as you mentioned the abilty to open up the grid to more cars, just so I can get that "swamped" feeling when in the GT3s.
Thanks Andre - it's an exciting time for AMS 2 no doubt! I've never driven Le Mans much at all recently prior to this update, but it's been a pleasure lapping the circuit these last few days!
I can't stop wondering how much better all those sims like AMS2, Raceroom or rFactor 2 would be if they didn't try to bite more than they can chew. I get it that it's nice to have tons of content, but making all those different classes handle consistently, including across many different conditions, if a sim has dynamic track system, and then, on top of that, tuning the AI for all the car-track combos, it's just an unfeasible amount of work, especially when you're still dialing in the core physics. I believe the tightly focused approach of ACC, F1 games and now also Le Mans Ultimate is the more practical one to achieve a coheasive gameplay experience. Still, godspeed to all of them on their ambitious plans.
Theoretically, maybe. But ACC has physics issues just as the smorgasbord sims do, and it has terrible AI. The broad-range sims is where all of the improvements to physics, AI etc. are happening. Contrast that with the F1 series which is basically unchanged from 10 years ago and the failure of MSG to put out a possibly good product. The underlying work to make a good simulation it too large relative to the return you can get for one racing series.
@@markc3456 ACC's AI was fine for the initial batch of content. The problem was that they didn't maintain the same level of quality down the line, and after several patches even that stock content AI broke down. In the end it's a case of lack of commitment, probably motivated by the fact that ACC became mostly used in multiplayer by its playerbase anyway. And if you think F1 games haven't changed in the last 10 years, then I guess you don't play them. I'll give you that they're a hit-or-miss, but when it's a hit, like in 2023, the AI is the most consistently raceable in the genre.
I'd like to see them add actual driver swaps like ACC, IR etc, I've picked up Ams2 recently, it's fun but it's not really a viable option for enduro league racing currently without the irl driver swap function.
This track is right up there with Monza 1000km w/o chicane. Is it my favorite? Nope. Reiza had released so many tracks that now I feel Le Man will just be another track for me. The Spa 1971 and those historic tracks are still at the top of my favorite list. Those oval tracks are also fun to drive in...in particular, Daytona and Indianapolis.
Gotta agree, love the historic Spa and Monza, Almost the next thing I did after testing the LMDH and GT3 gen 2's was head over to Spa 10k and tuned the Cadillac VSR then went for a blast, gearing & suspension needs some more fiddling but upto 215mph (346kph) atm. I think I did a 3:54 and change on the 3rd lap, only tintops faster are the Group C Nissan and Sauber. Take them to Lemans and LMDH wins in the turns. Next up..? Nordschleife!!!!
Reiza have never failed to deliver on the content side of things and this latest update is yet more proof of their commitment to their process. Simple fact is though, that this type of content is now prime for ranked multiplayer / endurance MP which is still, sadly, absent for this title. I know not every sim racer is hellbent on this sim modality, but a vast amount are and AMS2 just doesn't, yet, deliver on this front.
Tried the Porsche out, thought it felt a little on the easy side but I had a very enjoyable race against the AI. I'm not really a racer, I have always preferred hot lapping but I've had a few races now against the AI and have had some really good racing.
After getting hooked last year on GT7/PSVR2 I've been racing in ACC/AC LFM in VR on a Quest 3 but was complaining to some friends about the lacklustre single player AI and custom race options or visuals and someone said "Can I talk to you about what AMS2 can bring to your life?" Like I would with most missionaries I was about to close the door, but I thought "Hear him out." And man I'm glad I did. This game is fantastic - particularly in VR. It's performant, the AI is good, the car and track choices are terrific - not as wide as GT7 or as deep as ACC maybe, but I just raced the 2006 Canadian GP in Montreal and it was fantastic. This title is amazing - ranked multi is lacking and I know that's important but we still have iRacing and LFM. For single player fantasy this thing is king. Better than GT7 in VR imo and that's high praise.
It's really good! And will only get better, you just know that Reiza will keep supporting this and making it more polished. But for an initial release, very impressed. The GT3s are a step up from the Gen1s and are now great to drive. I've only tried the caddy so far out of the LMDH and it is easier to drive than the iRacing one, but the default setup is very safe, deliberately so...and I also think its easier because the FFB is more informative.
At the risk of being called a AMS2 fanboy, I have to say I have not seen any major issues with the AI on the Le Mans tracks and the new cars. In my own case with AMS2 it tends to be my poor driving rather than the AI which causes problems. Patience is the key if you run long races like I do. Oh and for me the new GT3 cars like any GT3 car remains a bore to drive let alone race.
So happy with this update. Don’t know how the lmdh compares to iracing. Enjoyed the Dpi in ams2 and do these new hyper cars. Multiclass is fun. Have to get back on merit at Lemans circuit.
I have to agree with your assessment of the AI, I love the cars, love how planted they feels and how they all have different characteristics that can play to someone particular driving style. The most frustrating aspect is trying to get through a race without getting absolutely destroyed into corners by the AI: I have tried long distance races and unfortunately even lower class cars tend to get twitchy or suicide dive back onto the racing line regardless of who is there. Could be a skill issue, but I consider myself a safe driver but they're SO twitchy and unpredictable, are hell bent on squeezing you inside or off the track, and will spear you in a corner if you're stuck behind someone and they're faster. Some AI cars reach Star Trek Warp 9 through certain high speed corners and will leave you in the dust (example is the esse and back straight at Watkins Glen). I just haven't been able to finish a long multi class race because of how hard they race you
Finally! my favorite circuit. screw the Nordschleife. more games need this track :D How do you have your shader set so that it does not look oversaturated and cartoony? I love this look. Or is this just an effect for the video? Happy new year btw :)
Great video but I don't think making a preview sort of video with reshade is a good choice. In my opinion a review should reflect how the vanilla game looks like (until you review reshade filters...). Other than this, a great take on the new update!
Yeah so I was experimenting with nvidia filters as I was recording footage - it’s a very good point buddy. I’ll pull something together on filters soon I think which will at least clarify how to customise the look versus the vanilla game.
I think they need to sort out the slipstreaming. Driving the GT3 gen 2 cars I can brease past ai in the slipstream, but haven't had a single ai slipstream past me down the straights at Le Mans.
Interesting Andrew - I think I know what you mean, although I've had LMDh cars blast past me, even with ERS deployed. I wasn't sure with GT3 whether it was slipstream or a poor corner exit.
Only thing annoys me with AI is that they will overtake you and suddenly slow down to block you for no reason. AI cutting off if you not full along side can be fixed with aggression slider.
I love it and lo v e the graphics improvements just wish would be more mud on the road when it rains and dust or rocks on the road its too clean and its still too easy than real life its really not punishing for pushing too hard
Question I bought this DLC it says it’s going to install with the game but when I start up the game, I don’t see it. There’s nothing I went through my tracks, etc. nothing this happened with another DLC purchased any help would be appreciated.
I gave up on AMS2 with the introduction of paid access to beta testing. That was a disreputable move by Reiza. At the same time, 1.5 had re-introduced the pendulum effect last seen in 2020. At that point I considered the sim to be done. The Le Mans release, with its latest patch, has completely turned me around. If AMS2 had been released in this state, I think it’d be one of the top three sims on the market. AC would still be No1, but No2? Tough!
The AI physics model is just different than the players. I prefer the ACC method of the AI running the same physics model as the player. I can never find a good all-round AI difficulty setting that I can race hard against. They're ridiculously fast around some corners and then practically stopping on others, so you end up overtaking on the same corner lap after lap.
Hey Matt - in retrospect it’s confusing as I’m experimenting with nvidia filters at the moment, so that accounts for the look of the graphics. The vanilla game is more saturated. I’ll do a separate video on it soon.
@@Ben_LaBroca Ahh gotcha, thought it looked off! My monkey brain was so confused with "OMG Hypercars and 2023 GT3s" while also going "Hang on this is what I remember Grid looking like". Definitely a subjective thing though
I like very much AMS2, using it many of my sim time. I enjoy a lot for example the previous DLC with Formula HiTech. I think that is the best and easiest option available to race against AI on any car/track combination. But, for me, this new DLC's is absolutely boring, the GT3's are scrap compared to ACC or Iracing and the LMDH's feels like toys compared to some free shared mods available on AC. Thanks to Reiza to permit to test it before buy, if they add more models in the future to this pack maybe on any discount season I could pay for it, not now.
@@yeah_okido Likely will the case for the foreseeable future. iracing's focus is in taking (stealing?) your money and are content in not touching what ain't broke. Hard to believe that their game that was designed to run on Pentium 2 still hasn't see much if any upgrade is such a money grab and have enough people willing to dish out their life savings into. Graphics and physics in AMS2 is only getting better, meanwhile.
@@yeah_okido You can setup a private online server to play with friends in AMS2? Cool. I had no idea. So much to unpack. Where I see the value in the way iRacing is set up where you work your way up by playing online with others, the cost of it is simply prohibitive. Haven't tried AMS2 online as the little time I have I typically play Wreckfest multiplayer (not a sim but the most fun racing there is). Hopefully as the number of AMS2 users grow they will improve the online play. We just need to be patient I suppose. Still can't believe the amount of improvements the game has undergone in the past few months and it gives me confidence the future will be bright. From a value point of view it simply can't be beat (although Wreckfest also on sale on Steam for $10 comes close).
I saw another CZcamsr say they thought the LMDh cars in AMS2 were too loose compared to how planted and grippy they feel in iRacing. Interesting to hear a slightly different perspective.
Why on earth... is it a revenge to Studio-397? Neither will win from this. Sad choice from a great team. We need retro cars, let other studios chase current cars.
It's a very interesting question which I might do a future video on. Assuming the dedicated Le Mans game is good (a big assumption given the recent MG track record), it's likely to represent much more of a complete package than the iterative approach of AMS 2. So maybe it'll be AMS 2 that loses out...
@@Ben_LaBroca yea, Urd made the 2021 versions for ac, and theyre planning to release an rf2 version soon with the new 400z gt500… but id wish there was official content for it :(
@@Ben_LaBroca Every LM enthusiast would look for official title, causal or simracer. Now all casual or "for collection" guys will stick to AMS2, leaving official title with 25-50% less buyers. A retro LeMans would be much better approach for AMS2. Silverstone, Austrian and German tracks - we want this. Or even better - be that ProjectCarX with many cars but better phizzics, be GrandTurismo on PC.
Meh...still a work in progress. Lack of Ferrari is a problem. Graphics are still too 'clean' and not up to AC with CSP and Pure. Physics are just not realistic for the reasons stated. But, it is still a very good AI racing experience. I tried the weather changes and it does not affect the AI. I bought it on sale, but I would be upset if I bought it at full price. Not sure who actually plays the game, but it is trivial to get on the world leader boards in time trial and Im mediocre.
@@arride4590 There is a reason AMS2 is not that popular, not even amongst big CZcams simracers. Only a handfull are really loving/liking it. Bless them tho.
@@MrBreakthompson big youtubers and their following are a very small fraction of racing game buyers, be it AMS2 or anything else. to think otherwise is very naïve of you. most of ANY PC racing game's marketing and promotion is done by steam on the steam platform itself. go read AMS2 reviews for yourself on steam and go see what the actual majority of people commenting really think about it. youtube comments / forum posts and youtubers / forum members are a drop in the ocean of actual buyers. it's just a fact
@@SHRModding Exactly, those CZcamsrs i'm talking about are SIMracers. I am talking about AMS2 in the simracing space which this game puts itself into. And it is a blimp on that scale. I don;t need to read AMS2 reviews. Played 150 hours myself and I know why people are liking it. I even liked it myself for a good while. This somewhat good-looking game is great for anybody who wants to start simracing because it is easy to get into and very forgiving. However, when you start noticing the MAJOR flaws simulation-wise...simracers move on to better things. Hence the comment by OP; this title is indeed still a work in progress simulation wise.
@@MrBreakthompson Those loud youtubers harmed AMS2 a lot it the past. Three years later worshi... eee... people still parrot these old wisdoms without actually trying the game, or sitting in their confirmation bias bubble.
Totally a guess on my part, but the MSG game will probably have a fuller roster. Imo getting the remaining LMDh cars seems more likely for AMS2 than getting the Ferrari/Toyota/Peugeot
Please note that Automobilista 2 is on sale at Steam at 75% off until January 04. I paid Can$13.50 for it and I suspect it's US$10 in the US. Plus you get to try the Le Mans DLC for free for a few days. Can't think of a better time to get this amazing racing sim.
Good reminder mate, thanks!
bargain, one of my favourite sim racing games, would love to try iracing but the subscription model…. ahhh… good for them but terrible for the consumer.
Simple fact is, with RF2’s online, AMS2 updates improving so much, Nords & GT2 coming to ACC, and the mod fest orgy that is AC, it’s a great time to have this silly little hobby we call sim racing 😜
YES! Amen to that buddy!
And dont forget assetto corsa 2 coming out in q2 of 2024!!
@@lordjuvenile9068 exactly! If online and pc-specs are right (console? even better) - everyone will forget ACC, and maybe even rF2 🥲
Casual - AMS2, stupidrich - iR, rest - AC2 🤣
Raceroom also got better.
@@lordjuvenile9068this soon?
Honestly AMS2 has become one of my favorite sims in the last few months, it provides the best vr experience along with the best single player racing. Its definitely in the top 3 alongside AC and iRacing. Well done Rieza
How about multiplayer?
This game has offered so much to me in terms of price/ value. If we can get a dedicated career mode this would truly elevate the experience.
There is a mod for that. Use google, i don't know how it's called exactly.
Its a great update. Only main problem I have is dynamic weather system in combination with the ai. They dont seem to be effected by rain at all sometimes and just keep going at dry pace when the player is strugling like crazy to keep the car on track.
that sounds like a big deal to me. haven't tried the update yet but I hope it gets fixed soon
I haven't had that problem. Tried out Le Mans in the rain last night with GT3 gen 2s and LMDhs and the AI were driving pretty slowly.
@@Starmast3rmusic Same, I did a rain race at Watkins Glen and the pace was pretty decent. The only thing I absolutely hate is how lower class cars defend like assholes during practice, Qualy, AND during the race. It really feels like they're not above trying to kill you.
Do you guys really do alot of rain driving? Anyways I did one rain race sunday night in the new GT3's and it was silly easy, but it's the same in ACC rain. It seems like the AI in rain in all sims drops like 10 points in difficulty or something. Fortunately I essentially never do it so it's irrelevant to me - it's like its own thing, a whole different game. @@JohnnyEMatos
@@Starmast3rmusic weird, I tried the same. I started with a dry track into wet and back to dry again. Weirdly enough they didn't pit and never struggled in the rain and just drove on like when it was dry the times also didnt go slower. Maybe its a bug. I will try again later this week and see if anything changes.
AMS2 still has that slippery feel when driving any car, but if you can nail the setup and remove that slippery feeling, its a joy to drive any car. As someone,who never tried Le Mans , i am fully enjoying it in AMS2 , also got some podiums in Multiplayer in it . Great fun and always enjoyable to experience this track
Yeah that's why I have a hard time enjoying AMS2. I love Reiza, I was an early backer, if there is one company who truly cares about the community it's Reiza they are awesome.
AMS2 became better update by update, but honestly AMS1 I still prefer and that's old software. They didn't go for the right game engine, you always feel this project cars kind of weightless slippery physics which makes cars less connected. It's fun, but for me that's the reason I don't play it to often. The minute I go to other sims, like Iracing or RF2 I just feel more connected.
Have you tried reducing the camera movement settings? I found changing those (there are videos with showing the settings) and turning the player's tyre volume down completely got rid of that slider feeling except when the rear steps out on you. I think MetzVR's CZcams channel has the settings.
I have never play AMS2 until now. I play ACC and iracing. I gotta say... I LOVE AMS2...it's very fun being able to drive an array of cars. SS and MSAA on high and the game looks amazing! VERY fun game. Feels decent...not the best...but very good.
In race save game is my priority.
Yes definitely - especially if the focus is on longer races!
Agree
I hope they're able to add the hybrid transition sound to each of the LMH cars. And to add the rest of the Hypercar field as well
Great content keep the videos rolling. Ams 2 is a forgiven sim but its fun for me. I like that you don't have to be a super skilled driver, its easier to be more consistent in races.
Happy new year! Hoping for a great year in simracing too, and hopefully good improvements for AMS2 as well.
I've been watching your stuff for a bit over a year or so now, I think. From the very start you've gotten me excited to buy myself a simracing setup and a title such as this one to get started. Unfortunately, I'm still saving up and atm I'm without a job so the wait is going to have to continue a bit longer. But I do still get very excited with the anticipation of that day coming every time you upload a video like this. So here's to another year of exactly that, full of good and fun simracing for you and who knows, perhaps for me as well. Happy new year! 🥂
Friend, sorry to hear about your difficulty being in between jobs - but at 75% off on Steam or around US$10, NOW is the time to nab this amazing title. I bought it and am so very, very glad that I did. Even if you don't get the Le Mans DLC for now (think it's $10) you can always enjoy this amazing racing sim and so much of its content 'till the Le Mans go on sale down the road or your fortunes improve. I can't believe the amazing gift Reiza has given us, which is allowing us to purchase the BEST sim around for a handful of dollars. While iracing is focused on stealing (sorry, taking) our money, this company actually worries about improving every aspect of this already huge title.
@@Slakass55 Thanks for the tip, mate! That would still leave me without a rig though 😅 If you have good budget options for that, maybe I can consider it. But to be honest it would still take some convincing myself; I bought a house and had a baby in the past year-ish, so my priorities *really* are on making sure my finances add up right now.
@@DaTux91 Hey congrats on both acquisitions. Been there, done that, know very well what you mean. And yes, I forgot that a rig is a must for AMS2 and that can easily break the bank.
But hey, after 3 kids I managed to hang on to the house and build a racing rig, so there's hope! Best of luck with the new addition to that new home of yours.
just tested yesterday with new Gt3 cars at Le Mans, started a race at 18:00, the setting sun through the trees illuminating the track and the cars was just breathtaking, illuminated my face with an irresistible smile...
Then came the night, the struggle to gain or just keep a position, the leds on the cars and panels, then a full course yellow... Just felt so much the Le Mans feeling
Everything is not there yet and some things are to improve but Reiza did a fantastic job already.
Honestly the slidiness is distracting with these cars. It just never feels like the tyres bite...
There's too much grip in my opinion, turn down the tyre volume, it's the squeaking sound that gives you a false impression of slidiness.
So far I've only done hotlaps with the Mercedes and Porsche GT3 (low downforce) and the Porsche LMDh. I'm enjoying it and can't wait to do some racing with the lads online!
Great video there Ben, looks like AMS2 is really coming along! What I found really interesting was swapping drivers with an AI in a race. I don't have AMS2 but this makes me think more about getting it. Hope you and your family had nice holidays! Thanks for sharing!!
What we need is a mid-race save. That should be top of the list of updates.
Let me mention another great feature of this sim that Ben left out: since last night I've been playing with the VR option with a Quest 2 headset. Even had one of my kids play it and he was amazed by how great it looks and how much easier it is to drive, as you can see your opponents to either side by simply turning your head - kinda like how it feels in real life.
Been playing with the graphic settings in order to get the most out of this headset and the GTX1660 Super that's powering the game running from the PC with SteamVR pushing the content to the headset via a USB cable. So far it works very well. The sense of "being there" simply cannot be matched by having 3 monitors, or for that matter my 4 metre wide screen. The fact that the sound is all around your head (coming from the Quest speakers) makes you feel as though you are inside the car. Racing that incredible Porsche in the Le Mans circuit means I get to attack the tight turns harder. Maybe because the headset makes it feel as though you ARE in a car racing around Le Mans. Words can't describe what it is like to drive/race in VR, you simply have to experience it.
A note on the 3 cars that Reiza included with the Le Mans track: the amount of detail is breathtaking. With the VR headset you get to look around the car and see every bit of detail, from the hex bolt holding the panel to the window sill to the cables connecting to some sort of electronic box, to the many buttons that exist in the real car. Even the carbon fiber all around you look so real you feel like touching it. I have never seen a car model this detailed in any game. Of course the only way to appreciate these details is with a headset as it lets you hone in on every corner inside the car, even behind you. So the feeling of realism is that much true given the detailed work Reiza has put into these models.
Speaking of their great work: Le mans looks just fabulous. I often stop in the middle of the track to appreciate the surroundings (in practice mode, not during a race) to look around. You see many of the businesses and houses that I would bet are truly there in the real world. Oh and fog and rain, lightning all looks so very real with the VR headset. So glad that they put so much effort into VR and that I get to benefit from it.
Sale ends tomorrow, hopefully the above will prompt you to nab this game while still at 75% off. Even if you don't have a VR headset, it's still totally worth the few dollars for this gem.
Until AMS 2 gives us the ability to save our progress during the race, very few people will ever take part in a full 24 hour race, even with the AI drivers doing stints. I don't want to be able to save the race at any time but only in the pitlane during driver swaps.
I like the update and at last I was able to get a LMDh car around Le Mans without crashing, except when being clouted by the over zealous AI.
I think Reiza have done an astonishing job and I like that we have been able to try it before its release, even though I suspect I would have bought it anyway without the test.
I have not tried it in the rain or at night but I suspect I will not be dissapointed.
I am still amazed at the FFB I get in this game compared to iRacing or ACC. It realy lets me know what the car is doing. I only have a lowly TS-XW but the FFB is great in this SIM.
Thanks for the video Ben, and I certainly hope for good things from Reiza with the endurance racing side of things. Now all they need to do is get multiplayer side sorted and as you mentioned the abilty to open up the grid to more cars, just so I can get that "swamped" feeling when in the GT3s.
Thanks Andre - it's an exciting time for AMS 2 no doubt! I've never driven Le Mans much at all recently prior to this update, but it's been a pleasure lapping the circuit these last few days!
I can't stop wondering how much better all those sims like AMS2, Raceroom or rFactor 2 would be if they didn't try to bite more than they can chew. I get it that it's nice to have tons of content, but making all those different classes handle consistently, including across many different conditions, if a sim has dynamic track system, and then, on top of that, tuning the AI for all the car-track combos, it's just an unfeasible amount of work, especially when you're still dialing in the core physics. I believe the tightly focused approach of ACC, F1 games and now also Le Mans Ultimate is the more practical one to achieve a coheasive gameplay experience.
Still, godspeed to all of them on their ambitious plans.
I have a video in development on this very topic! 👀 and thanks for watching buddy!
@@Ben_LaBroca Nice, looking forward to it!
Theoretically, maybe. But ACC has physics issues just as the smorgasbord sims do, and it has terrible AI. The broad-range sims is where all of the improvements to physics, AI etc. are happening. Contrast that with the F1 series which is basically unchanged from 10 years ago and the failure of MSG to put out a possibly good product.
The underlying work to make a good simulation it too large relative to the return you can get for one racing series.
@@markc3456 ACC's AI was fine for the initial batch of content. The problem was that they didn't maintain the same level of quality down the line, and after several patches even that stock content AI broke down. In the end it's a case of lack of commitment, probably motivated by the fact that ACC became mostly used in multiplayer by its playerbase anyway.
And if you think F1 games haven't changed in the last 10 years, then I guess you don't play them. I'll give you that they're a hit-or-miss, but when it's a hit, like in 2023, the AI is the most consistently raceable in the genre.
Great video Ben. excited for ams2 2024 and Sim racing in general this year. thx for a great 2023 with your awesomw content : )
I'd like to see them add actual driver swaps like ACC, IR etc, I've picked up Ams2 recently, it's fun but it's not really a viable option for enduro league racing currently without the irl driver swap function.
This track is right up there with Monza 1000km w/o chicane. Is it my favorite? Nope. Reiza had released so many tracks that now I feel Le Man will just be another track for me. The Spa 1971 and those historic tracks are still at the top of my favorite list. Those oval tracks are also fun to drive in...in particular, Daytona and Indianapolis.
I really love the historic tracks too - AMS 2 at its best!
Gotta agree, love the historic Spa and Monza, Almost the next thing I did after testing the LMDH and GT3 gen 2's was head over to Spa 10k and tuned the Cadillac VSR then went for a blast, gearing & suspension needs some more fiddling but upto 215mph (346kph) atm. I think I did a 3:54 and change on the 3rd lap, only tintops faster are the Group C Nissan and Sauber. Take them to Lemans and LMDH wins in the turns.
Next up..? Nordschleife!!!!
Reiza have never failed to deliver on the content side of things and this latest update is yet more proof of their commitment to their process. Simple fact is though, that this type of content is now prime for ranked multiplayer / endurance MP which is still, sadly, absent for this title. I know not every sim racer is hellbent on this sim modality, but a vast amount are and AMS2 just doesn't, yet, deliver on this front.
The physics are better and graphics much smoother than in PC2. Looking forward to an update with the old Mulsanne straight.
I hope Part 2 of the Endurance Pack features the Sebring circuit.
Yeah absolutely love that track too buddy!
Yeah. i Hope sometime thisngame will Feature the füll wec calendar
Tried the Porsche out, thought it felt a little on the easy side but I had a very enjoyable race against the AI. I'm not really a racer, I have always preferred hot lapping but I've had a few races now against the AI and have had some really good racing.
After getting hooked last year on GT7/PSVR2 I've been racing in ACC/AC LFM in VR on a Quest 3 but was complaining to some friends about the lacklustre single player AI and custom race options or visuals and someone said "Can I talk to you about what AMS2 can bring to your life?" Like I would with most missionaries I was about to close the door, but I thought "Hear him out." And man I'm glad I did. This game is fantastic - particularly in VR. It's performant, the AI is good, the car and track choices are terrific - not as wide as GT7 or as deep as ACC maybe, but I just raced the 2006 Canadian GP in Montreal and it was fantastic. This title is amazing - ranked multi is lacking and I know that's important but we still have iRacing and LFM. For single player fantasy this thing is king. Better than GT7 in VR imo and that's high praise.
Ams2 please bring ranked racing in iracing format!
Yes please! I think they’re looking to improve the dedicated server functionality this year, but I’m not sure about the ranked options.
2:25 that's not an addition. AI driver swap has been in since day one. It's been bugged ever since though.
It's really good! And will only get better, you just know that Reiza will keep supporting this and making it more polished. But for an initial release, very impressed. The GT3s are a step up from the Gen1s and are now great to drive. I've only tried the caddy so far out of the LMDH and it is easier to drive than the iRacing one, but the default setup is very safe, deliberately so...and I also think its easier because the FFB is more informative.
At the risk of being called a AMS2 fanboy, I have to say I have not seen any major issues with the AI on the Le Mans tracks and the new cars. In my own case with AMS2 it tends to be my poor driving rather than the AI which causes problems. Patience is the key if you run long races like I do. Oh and for me the new GT3 cars like any GT3 car remains a bore to drive let alone race.
AMR2 can now go up to 32 cars at the LeMans track
So happy with this update.
Don’t know how the lmdh compares to iracing. Enjoyed the Dpi in ams2 and do these new hyper cars.
Multiclass is fun.
Have to get back on merit at Lemans circuit.
I have to agree with your assessment of the AI, I love the cars, love how planted they feels and how they all have different characteristics that can play to someone particular driving style. The most frustrating aspect is trying to get through a race without getting absolutely destroyed into corners by the AI: I have tried long distance races and unfortunately even lower class cars tend to get twitchy or suicide dive back onto the racing line regardless of who is there. Could be a skill issue, but I consider myself a safe driver but they're SO twitchy and unpredictable, are hell bent on squeezing you inside or off the track, and will spear you in a corner if you're stuck behind someone and they're faster. Some AI cars reach Star Trek Warp 9 through certain high speed corners and will leave you in the dust (example is the esse and back straight at Watkins Glen). I just haven't been able to finish a long multi class race because of how hard they race you
I disagree about LMDh too easy to drive. Just change your grip level from being perfect or rubbered.
Way to go AMS 2
For me it is the best if you look for a good single player simracing with good content.
Great content, as always, Ben!
Ah thank you man, really appreciate that!
Finally! my favorite circuit. screw the Nordschleife. more games need this track :D
How do you have your shader set so that it does not look oversaturated and cartoony? I love this look. Or is this just an effect for the video?
Happy new year btw :)
Great video but I don't think making a preview sort of video with reshade is a good choice. In my opinion a review should reflect how the vanilla game looks like (until you review reshade filters...). Other than this, a great take on the new update!
Yeah so I was experimenting with nvidia filters as I was recording footage - it’s a very good point buddy. I’ll pull something together on filters soon I think which will at least clarify how to customise the look versus the vanilla game.
I think they need to sort out the slipstreaming. Driving the GT3 gen 2 cars I can brease past ai in the slipstream, but haven't had a single ai slipstream past me down the straights at Le Mans.
Interesting Andrew - I think I know what you mean, although I've had LMDh cars blast past me, even with ERS deployed. I wasn't sure with GT3 whether it was slipstream or a poor corner exit.
Only thing annoys me with AI is that they will overtake you and suddenly slow down to block you for no reason. AI cutting off if you not full along side can be fixed with aggression slider.
I love it and lo v e the graphics improvements just wish would be more mud on the road when it rains and dust or rocks on the road its too clean and its still too easy than real life its really not punishing for pushing too hard
How is online racing in ams2? Is it a thing?
Also is this an update or DLC? If update then big kudos to producers of the game.
The default settings might look a bit too colourful, but this looks like you went all out with Vaseline.
😂 it has divided opinion!
Planted? GT3? Driving on ice
Question I bought this DLC it says it’s going to install with the game but when I start up the game, I don’t see it. There’s nothing I went through my tracks, etc. nothing this happened with another DLC purchased any help would be appreciated.
What reshade are you using? Looks pretty cool
I gave up on AMS2 with the introduction of paid access to beta testing. That was a disreputable move by Reiza. At the same time, 1.5 had re-introduced the pendulum effect last seen in 2020. At that point I considered the sim to be done. The Le Mans release, with its latest patch, has completely turned me around. If AMS2 had been released in this state, I think it’d be one of the top three sims on the market. AC would still be No1, but No2? Tough!
Are the ai driver swaps only for Le Mans or for every track?
The AI physics model is just different than the players. I prefer the ACC method of the AI running the same physics model as the player. I can never find a good all-round AI difficulty setting that I can race hard against. They're ridiculously fast around some corners and then practically stopping on others, so you end up overtaking on the same corner lap after lap.
Is something wrong with the Color Grading in this video or is it grey like that in the game
Why is picture quality so weird? Thats some filter or?
Hi do you use any graphics filter like reshade or GeForce experience?. Mine looks much more cartoonish then yours.
Hey buddy! I'm using some custom filters on nvidia yeah - video coming very soon on this very subject!
What's the deal with the 2010-era bloom/glow effect? Is that in the actual gameplay or a post-processing effect?
Hey Matt - in retrospect it’s confusing as I’m experimenting with nvidia filters at the moment, so that accounts for the look of the graphics. The vanilla game is more saturated. I’ll do a separate video on it soon.
@@Ben_LaBroca Ahh gotcha, thought it looked off! My monkey brain was so confused with "OMG Hypercars and 2023 GT3s" while also going "Hang on this is what I remember Grid looking like". Definitely a subjective thing though
@@MattDiffey haha it’s less urine like than the codies filter 😅😅
The FCY is amazing too bad none of my cars are in this game.
what have you done to your game colours?
I like very much AMS2, using it many of my sim time. I enjoy a lot for example the previous DLC with Formula HiTech. I think that is the best and easiest option available to race against AI on any car/track combination. But, for me, this new DLC's is absolutely boring, the GT3's are scrap compared to ACC or Iracing and the LMDH's feels like toys compared to some free shared mods available on AC. Thanks to Reiza to permit to test it before buy, if they add more models in the future to this pack maybe on any discount season I could pay for it, not now.
Was looking for a good take then I hear the gt3's being compared to rf2 lol
rains coming in iracing tho
I'll only believe it when I see it. I've been hearing about rain coming to iRacing for over 3 years now.
@@yeah_okido Likely will the case for the foreseeable future. iracing's focus is in taking (stealing?) your money and are content in not touching what ain't broke. Hard to believe that their game that was designed to run on Pentium 2 still hasn't see much if any upgrade is such a money grab and have enough people willing to dish out their life savings into. Graphics and physics in AMS2 is only getting better, meanwhile.
@@yeah_okido You can setup a private online server to play with friends in AMS2? Cool. I had no idea. So much to unpack.
Where I see the value in the way iRacing is set up where you work your way up by playing online with others, the cost of it is simply prohibitive. Haven't tried AMS2 online as the little time I have I typically play Wreckfest multiplayer (not a sim but the most fun racing there is). Hopefully as the number of AMS2 users grow they will improve the online play. We just need to be patient I suppose. Still can't believe the amount of improvements the game has undergone in the past few months and it gives me confidence the future will be bright. From a value point of view it simply can't be beat (although Wreckfest also on sale on Steam for $10 comes close).
Guyz, does AMS 2 have offline career mode??
Waiting for someone to title a video, “my dishonest opinion”.
😂 that sounds like a challenge!
I saw another CZcamsr say they thought the LMDh cars in AMS2 were too loose compared to how planted and grippy they feel in iRacing. Interesting to hear a slightly different perspective.
I plan on doing a proper comparison of AMS 2 and iRacing LMDh cars so stay tuned for that!
I try this year this game
Wont @ you, dont worry
😂
I deserved that 😂😂
Why on earth... is it a revenge to Studio-397? Neither will win from this. Sad choice from a great team. We need retro cars, let other studios chase current cars.
It's a very interesting question which I might do a future video on. Assuming the dedicated Le Mans game is good (a big assumption given the recent MG track record), it's likely to represent much more of a complete package than the iterative approach of AMS 2. So maybe it'll be AMS 2 that loses out...
Still waiting for gt500 cars to be in any game, except for gt7 of course
@@Aro3o6 Yes! Great shout - there were mods in Assetto Corsa but they might be quite old now
@@Ben_LaBroca yea, Urd made the 2021 versions for ac, and theyre planning to release an rf2 version soon with the new 400z gt500… but id wish there was official content for it :(
@@Ben_LaBroca Every LM enthusiast would look for official title, causal or simracer. Now all casual or "for collection" guys will stick to AMS2, leaving official title with 25-50% less buyers.
A retro LeMans would be much better approach for AMS2. Silverstone, Austrian and German tracks - we want this.
Or even better - be that ProjectCarX with many cars but better phizzics, be GrandTurismo on PC.
Is it free?
Only for a short time - but the prices quoted in the dev update look very reasonable IMO
The lmdh drive sh***t not even close on how they should be still the cars feels like driving a boat the only positive thing is the content is nice
I am 100% sure you haven't driven an LMDh in real life, and probably haven't even driven them in AMS2 as well.
Meh...still a work in progress. Lack of Ferrari is a problem. Graphics are still too 'clean' and not up to AC with CSP and Pure. Physics are just not realistic for the reasons stated. But, it is still a very good AI racing experience. I tried the weather changes and it does not affect the AI.
I bought it on sale, but I would be upset if I bought it at full price. Not sure who actually plays the game, but it is trivial to get on the world leader boards in time trial and Im mediocre.
Take a look Steam reviews. You are the only couple few players are not having fan. The majority are loving this game.
@@arride4590 There is a reason AMS2 is not that popular, not even amongst big CZcams simracers. Only a handfull are really loving/liking it. Bless them tho.
@@MrBreakthompson big youtubers and their following are a very small fraction of racing game buyers, be it AMS2 or anything else. to think otherwise is very naïve of you. most of ANY PC racing game's marketing and promotion is done by steam on the steam platform itself. go read AMS2 reviews for yourself on steam and go see what the actual majority of people commenting really think about it. youtube comments / forum posts and youtubers / forum members are a drop in the ocean of actual buyers. it's just a fact
@@SHRModding Exactly, those CZcamsrs i'm talking about are SIMracers. I am talking about AMS2 in the simracing space which this game puts itself into. And it is a blimp on that scale.
I don;t need to read AMS2 reviews. Played 150 hours myself and I know why people are liking it. I even liked it myself for a good while. This somewhat good-looking game is great for anybody who wants to start simracing because it is easy to get into and very forgiving.
However, when you start noticing the MAJOR flaws simulation-wise...simracers move on to better things. Hence the comment by OP; this title is indeed still a work in progress simulation wise.
@@MrBreakthompson Those loud youtubers harmed AMS2 a lot it the past. Three years later worshi... eee... people still parrot these old wisdoms without actually trying the game, or sitting in their confirmation bias bubble.
Once again....who cares about your opinion? Keep it to yourself.
?? Why did you click on the video you didn’t care 😭
AMS2 stole le mans ultimate thunder making it redundant ?
The MSG game is arcade for consoles.
Totally a guess on my part, but the MSG game will probably have a fuller roster. Imo getting the remaining LMDh cars seems more likely for AMS2 than getting the Ferrari/Toyota/Peugeot
@@NikitaOnline17 hopefully with time and further releases also AMS2 WEC roster will become full except for some car licenses maybe
@@enricoazzoni2371 I certainly hope so. it's just my suspicion since they named the class "LMDh" rather than "hypercar" or something
AMS2 Biggest problem is the online , sux online = bad game