Have you ever wanted to build your own race circuit with simulation-based physics? RaceLeague could well be what you are looking for. This powerful yet relatively niche racing title offers players the opportunity to build their own circuits in a semi-destructible environment with simcade-style driving physics—a classic example of a combination that is easy to pick up and play but hard to master.
In this short review, we will look at the track builder, the driving and damage physics, and hear from solo developer Jali Hautala, the creator of RaceLeague and Oversteer Studios! RaceLeague is a passion project that will continue to be developed throughout 2025.
Rallycross. Image: Oversteer Studios
The most impressive aspect of RaceLeague is how the barriers, tyres, and environment can deform if there is an incident. This level of simulation and damage modelling is scarce in modern sim racing. To complement the destructible environments, the cars also bend and crumple very satisfactorily.
The driving and racing physics are certainly simcade rather than fully simulation-based. It makes perfect sense for a game of this genre and the art style choices. The cars and tracks are all unlicensed interpretations of real cars but are great fun to drive. The art style is reminiscent of the Circuit Superstars and Karting Superstars titles.
Unlike other destruction-based racing and driving games, RaceLeague offers some great racing opportunities. However, do not expect a racing simulator level of AI competence or multiplayer etiquette.
Create the track limits and stop people from cutting the course with detailed checkpoint lines. Image: Oversteer Studios
A reasonably straightforward tutorial outlines the process of building circuits. Learning how to use the tools is one thing; getting them to work together to create a detailed masterpiece is quite another.
With RaceLeague's track editor, you can change and adjust almost everything about your circuit and its environment. From the elevation of the ground to the trees, bushes, and grandstands, you can make your circuit exactly how you want it to be.
Using the tools available, you can bring life to your circuits with plants and buildings. Image: Oversteer Studios
The controls are certainly not perfect; multiple times, the tools felt like they were doing their own thing. However, once they decide to work correctly and not break another tool, the track builder's capabilities are very satisfying and extraordinarily impressive.
While in testing, no masterpiece was created. However, a functional race circuit with elevation changes was built. In just a few hours, the mode became familiar, and despite its complex aspects, anyone with enough patience and practice can certainly learn it!
You can adjust and bend your basic raceway layout if you have a change of heart. Image: Oversteer Studios
Once your circuit is finished and finalised, you can share it through the in-game repository! You can also download other tracks created by fellow players through the repository, including faithful replicas of circuits like the Monaco Grand Prix layout and Silverstone.
Onboard shot of the Formula car within RaceLeague.
The force feedback is nicely detailed, with a good amount of weight in the wheel. This style of game usually is best enjoyed with a controller. Still, once you learn the layout of one of the circuits and can start stringing some laps together, RaceLeague is immensely fun on both belt-driven and direct-drive wheelbases. Direct Drive users, be aware that the crashing can sometimes cause some pretty violent spikes, so be cautious if a wall appears to be approaching you at an alarming pace!
The Formula Car is the best vehicle for enjoying RaceLeague with a steering wheel setup. The other options feel slightly vague compared to it. The Porsche Cup Car interpretation especially feels like the brakes are from a Ford Transit van. The Rallycross car is good, although the front-wheel drive system does confuse the traction control system a little bit, especially off the tarmac, so make sure you turn that setting off.
Rallycross cars are more than capable of tackling the rally stages!
NASCAR is solid and reasonably predictable, but there is almost no hope of catching a spin or saving a slide—just like in real NASCAR! There are a metric ton of user-made oval circuits, and the AI is capable of many of them, except when extreme banking is involved.
Fear not if you are racing on a keyboard or a gamepad. As this racing game genre should be, the title is fantastically optimised for both. It is designed for anyone to be fast, regardless of their equipment, in a pickup-and-play style.
RaceLeague's AI is not a fan of banked turns on ovals.
Image: Oversteer Studios
Outside of the multiplayer is the fantastic user track repository. This tool is a database of hundreds of user-made circuits that you can race against the AI on or use within the time trial and practice mode. A global leaderboard is displayed for each circuit and car combination, so you have target times to aim for!
One fascinating aspect that was terrific fun was the user-made rally stages! These stages were very unexpected, but with the hatchback vehicle available with a dirt setup, sliding through the virtual forests of a fictional Rally Wales stage was immense fun, even if the car was rather oddly shaped by the end.
The user-made rally Wales rally stage was really impressive.
This level of creativity goes back to the section above about the track editor. The tool's creativity and potential are immense, and the database will only grow as avid race circuit builders discover RaceLeague.
As mentioned, the rating reflects some changes we would like to see implemented as the game continues to grow through early access. The first is the live leaderboard and racing bugs. As visible in some of the screenshots throughout this review, the leaderboard does not seem to update changes in position. The lap counter does seem to get stuck at 9999 laps, meaning that the solo races are typically decided by who's car can still move!
RaceLeague's detailed crash physics. Image: OverSteer Studios
Another change that would be great to see implemented is how the AI works amongst itself. For the most part, they are race-worthy with the player, but they seem to love to smash each other out of the race at every possible opportunity, especially on the first lap. This is great for showing crashes and damage physics, but for some, it will get repetitive and ruin the chance at a good race, especially on user-made circuits.
The amount of tracks is, in theory, endless with all of the user-created options, but an expanded car roster would be a great addition to the future of RaceLeague. A road car of some sort and a handful of historic racing cars would undoubtedly go down well.
RaceLeague's visual representation of the slipstream effect. Image: Oversteer Studios
Despite all that, one must remember the context of RaceLeague. This title is being developed by a solo developer, and its current level is impressive. RaceLeague is certainly a title to keep an eye on throughout 2025.
What do you think about RaceLeague? Are track-building tools something that more sims should include? Let us know in the comments down below!
In this short review, we will look at the track builder, the driving and damage physics, and hear from solo developer Jali Hautala, the creator of RaceLeague and Oversteer Studios! RaceLeague is a passion project that will continue to be developed throughout 2025.
Rallycross. Image: Oversteer Studios
What is RaceLeague?
Before discussing the track editor's details and the physics, let's examine RaceLeague and its place in the racing game and sim racing sphere.The most impressive aspect of RaceLeague is how the barriers, tyres, and environment can deform if there is an incident. This level of simulation and damage modelling is scarce in modern sim racing. To complement the destructible environments, the cars also bend and crumple very satisfactorily.
The driving and racing physics are certainly simcade rather than fully simulation-based. It makes perfect sense for a game of this genre and the art style choices. The cars and tracks are all unlicensed interpretations of real cars but are great fun to drive. The art style is reminiscent of the Circuit Superstars and Karting Superstars titles.
Unlike other destruction-based racing and driving games, RaceLeague offers some great racing opportunities. However, do not expect a racing simulator level of AI competence or multiplayer etiquette.
Track Builder and Editor
Perhaps the most interesting and complex mode within RaceLeague is the in-depth track builder and editor. This mode throws back to the older racing titles, such as the iconic Race Driver Create & Race and the more modern Trackmania series that used to let you build and create your own race tracks. RaceLeague is a lot more than just laying down fresh concrete, however.Create the track limits and stop people from cutting the course with detailed checkpoint lines. Image: Oversteer Studios
A reasonably straightforward tutorial outlines the process of building circuits. Learning how to use the tools is one thing; getting them to work together to create a detailed masterpiece is quite another.
With RaceLeague's track editor, you can change and adjust almost everything about your circuit and its environment. From the elevation of the ground to the trees, bushes, and grandstands, you can make your circuit exactly how you want it to be.
Using the tools available, you can bring life to your circuits with plants and buildings. Image: Oversteer Studios
The controls are certainly not perfect; multiple times, the tools felt like they were doing their own thing. However, once they decide to work correctly and not break another tool, the track builder's capabilities are very satisfying and extraordinarily impressive.
While in testing, no masterpiece was created. However, a functional race circuit with elevation changes was built. In just a few hours, the mode became familiar, and despite its complex aspects, anyone with enough patience and practice can certainly learn it!
You can adjust and bend your basic raceway layout if you have a change of heart. Image: Oversteer Studios
Once your circuit is finished and finalised, you can share it through the in-game repository! You can also download other tracks created by fellow players through the repository, including faithful replicas of circuits like the Monaco Grand Prix layout and Silverstone.
Driving Physics
Although not a full-blown racing simulator, the results will most likely surprise you when you hook up a wheel and pedal set to RaceLeague. The feedback is smooth and responsive but also springy if you try to counter-steer too early. The grip limit is detectable before you go over it, creating a surprisingly heavy-feeling car that rewards consistency and small inputs.Onboard shot of the Formula car within RaceLeague.
The force feedback is nicely detailed, with a good amount of weight in the wheel. This style of game usually is best enjoyed with a controller. Still, once you learn the layout of one of the circuits and can start stringing some laps together, RaceLeague is immensely fun on both belt-driven and direct-drive wheelbases. Direct Drive users, be aware that the crashing can sometimes cause some pretty violent spikes, so be cautious if a wall appears to be approaching you at an alarming pace!
The Formula Car is the best vehicle for enjoying RaceLeague with a steering wheel setup. The other options feel slightly vague compared to it. The Porsche Cup Car interpretation especially feels like the brakes are from a Ford Transit van. The Rallycross car is good, although the front-wheel drive system does confuse the traction control system a little bit, especially off the tarmac, so make sure you turn that setting off.
Rallycross cars are more than capable of tackling the rally stages!
NASCAR is solid and reasonably predictable, but there is almost no hope of catching a spin or saving a slide—just like in real NASCAR! There are a metric ton of user-made oval circuits, and the AI is capable of many of them, except when extreme banking is involved.
Fear not if you are racing on a keyboard or a gamepad. As this racing game genre should be, the title is fantastically optimised for both. It is designed for anyone to be fast, regardless of their equipment, in a pickup-and-play style.
RaceLeague's AI is not a fan of banked turns on ovals.
Jali Hautala - Product lead and creator of RaceLeague and Oversteer Studios
RaceLeague is developed by Jali Hautala, a solo developer with Oversteer Studios. We sat down with Jali to discuss his passion for the racing project and asked him what the future holds for the title.Multiplayer Racing and User Track Repository
Unfortunately, during this review's testing phase, no online lobbies were open. However, the capabilities are there, and judging from other reports and reviews, the servers are usable and provide a good base for the beginning of the online mode within RaceLeague.Image: Oversteer Studios
Outside of the multiplayer is the fantastic user track repository. This tool is a database of hundreds of user-made circuits that you can race against the AI on or use within the time trial and practice mode. A global leaderboard is displayed for each circuit and car combination, so you have target times to aim for!
One fascinating aspect that was terrific fun was the user-made rally stages! These stages were very unexpected, but with the hatchback vehicle available with a dirt setup, sliding through the virtual forests of a fictional Rally Wales stage was immense fun, even if the car was rather oddly shaped by the end.
The user-made rally Wales rally stage was really impressive.
This level of creativity goes back to the section above about the track editor. The tool's creativity and potential are immense, and the database will only grow as avid race circuit builders discover RaceLeague.
RaceLeague Rating
Overall, we would rate RaceLeague at a promising 3.75/5. This rating comes from the content and impressive ingenuity on display, coupled with a few things that need sorting out and changing. The potential of RaceLeague is through the roof, and we are very excited to follow the development cycle as this small title starts to hit goal after goal.As mentioned, the rating reflects some changes we would like to see implemented as the game continues to grow through early access. The first is the live leaderboard and racing bugs. As visible in some of the screenshots throughout this review, the leaderboard does not seem to update changes in position. The lap counter does seem to get stuck at 9999 laps, meaning that the solo races are typically decided by who's car can still move!
RaceLeague's detailed crash physics. Image: OverSteer Studios
Another change that would be great to see implemented is how the AI works amongst itself. For the most part, they are race-worthy with the player, but they seem to love to smash each other out of the race at every possible opportunity, especially on the first lap. This is great for showing crashes and damage physics, but for some, it will get repetitive and ruin the chance at a good race, especially on user-made circuits.
The amount of tracks is, in theory, endless with all of the user-created options, but an expanded car roster would be a great addition to the future of RaceLeague. A road car of some sort and a handful of historic racing cars would undoubtedly go down well.
RaceLeague's visual representation of the slipstream effect. Image: Oversteer Studios
Despite all that, one must remember the context of RaceLeague. This title is being developed by a solo developer, and its current level is impressive. RaceLeague is certainly a title to keep an eye on throughout 2025.
Upcoming giveaway
If you like what you see and want to try RaceLeague, or if you have been eyeing it up for a while, make sure to check back next week here on OverTake.gg! We will host a giveaway of ten Steam keys for RaceLeague, courtesy of developer Jali Hautala's generosity! Make sure to check that article out for details on how to enter that competition when it goes live!What do you think about RaceLeague? Are track-building tools something that more sims should include? Let us know in the comments down below!
