It is not often that the developers and distributors of a video game release free add-on content, especially in recent times where each DLC is competing to cost more than the previous one. However, this is not the case with one of the best driving simulators around, Assetto Corsa Competizione: the British GT Pack adds the brand new British Touring Championship with three new tracks, teams, liveries and drivers of the British championship, including the F1 World Champion Jenson Button. And best of all, it's free. Let's find out what changes and if there are any news also in terms of playability.
Assetto Corsa Competizione British GT Pack, what this free DLC includes
Those who use Assetto Corsa Competizione on PC will already know this DLC, which has been available for some time for computer players. For gamers who use the title of 505 Games and Kunos Simulations on consul (for now only PS4 and Xbox One), however, this intriguing DLC had not yet arrived, until now.
Now, it is possible to download the new Assetto Corsa Competizione DLC, British GT Pack, from the PlayStation and Xbox Stores. To download it, you must obviously already own the main game, and then you just need to search for it on the store and click "Download". Kunos Simulations has accustomed us over the years to very aggressive prices, with the same Assetto Corsa Competizione on sale on Amazon at 39,90 euros, with discounts that lower the price below 30 euros. However, one more step was taken for the British GT Pack DLC: no fee is required, it's free! Surprising, right?
And we're not talking about one of those free expansions that ultimately add nothing significant. On Assetto Corsa Competizione, the British GT Pack adds the British Grand Touring Car Championship, the equivalent of our Italian GT Championship. What do you get by downloading it? First of all, the first, very welcome "gift" are three new tracks, known and loved by British racing fans. Together with the already present Brands Hatch Silverstone, in fact, there are three other English circuits: Snetterton, Donington and Oulton Park.
The new tracks: Donington, Snetterton and Oulton Park
The best known in Italy is Donington: fast, technical and very treacherous track, here the MotoGP held the British stage of the World Championship from 1987 to 2009. Snetterton e Oulton Park, on the other hand, they are two famous tracks in Great Britain but really shot out of the Kingdom of Her Majesty Elizabeth.
Il first it is located in Norfolk, 30 miles from Norwich in the south east of England. Only 3,22km long, Snetterton is a track narrow, very tortuous and treacherous, ready to "bite" at the first trajectory error. Revised in the years 2010, several curves are dedicated to famous British pilots, as Martin Brundle, Lewis Hamilton, and the late Justin Wilson.
Oulton Park, finally, it is located in Cheshire, about 30 miles south of Manchester and Liverpool. Again, Oulton Park is a narrow, technical but rather fast circuit, with 17 curves within a track of over 4,5 km. The real peculiarity of Oulton Park are the blind curves and slope difference. The track is incredibly steep, and several curves need to be covered, perhaps all the way down, without seeing what's on the other side.. It takes courage, great memory and many laps to remember and assimilate the trajectories. But a perfect ride in Oulton Park gives immense satisfaction.
40 liveries, the entire full championship line-up and 70 drivers, including World Champion Jenson Button
There are also big news at the level of drivers, liveries and cars. It would have made little if any sense to race on these circuits without the drivers and teams that animate this Championship. And in fact, with the British GT Pack Assetto Corsa Competizione embraces 40 new liveries of the teams participating in the 2020 British GT Championship. At the level of participating cars, there are several GT4s, many GT3s, some Porsche 911 Cups but above all the Jenson Team Rocket RJN. This team already from the name makes its star very clear: Jenson Button.
The 2009 Formula 1 World Champion, hung his helmet in the top flight in 2017, raced in Japan in 2018 and 2019, returning to his homeland in 2020 to race the British GT Championship with his team, created in collaboration with Sky. The chosen car is, of course, one McLaren, due to Button's history with the Woking team, one 720S GT3 to be precise. Lin white and fluo yellow livery is then a tribute to the Brawn GP that in 2009, allowed him to win his first and only world champion 12 years ago. Obviously, there is not only Button, who among other things in the championship has only run one race but with whom the entire championship can be played here.
Among the most famous drivers of the British GT Championship we find James Baldwin, Button's teammate (but not car) in Jenson Team Rocket, debuting on the track with real cars but born with simulators and holder of the World Fastest Gamer title in 2019, and the 4-time Championship winner Jonathan Adam. Unfortunately though some cars that have participated in the British GT Championship are missing, still not replicated on Assetto Corsa Competizione. Let's talk about the new one, for example Toyota GR Supra GT4 of the Speedworks Motorsport team, or of the Ford Mustang GT4. Two cars that, seeing the work of the guys behind this game, could soon be added.
Where can the British GT cars be exploited on Assetto Corsa Competizione?
Assetto Corsa Competizione then dedicated a whole championship at the British GT, selectable from the main menu in Championship mode. Here they can run all 9 stages of the 2020 British GT Championship, starting from the inaugural Oulton Park race up to the grand finale at Silverstone.
But not only: it is possible to compete in the setting of the British GT Championship even by doing a fast race, in time trial mode and of course Online, competing with other players around Europe and the world between the blind corners of Oulton Park or on the Hangar Straight of Silverstone.
Has the gameplay changed? Yes, but not thanks to the DLC: continuous updates bring it closer and closer to perfection
In terms of gameplay and gaming experience, per se the British GT Pack of Assetto Corsa Competizione does not revolutionize anything at the already excellent level of the game. Specifically, the liveries and cars are made to perfection with excellent play of light and never the feeling of a job left unfinished. The stars, however, are obviously the three new tracks. Both Donington and Snetterton and Oulton Park are crafted down to the smallest detail, from the setting to the lights to the rendering of the track itself.
The elevation changes, the bumps and the bumps are where they are in reality, and it is not at all easy to be able to master these slopes. Especially the very narrow Snetterton and Oulton Park are very difficult, difficult to learn, and in the first laps you have to go slow and increase the pace in small steps. Otherwise, the "kiss" to the grass is around the corner, and with it a little gratifying spin towards the nearby barriers. In any case, a rare fact must be mentioned nowadays. 505 Games and Kunos Simulations have continued to improve, refine and shore up the small defects of Assetto Corsa Competizione also for consoles, without reserving the changes to the PC game only. Cars remain very tough now, but they are more progressive and predictable to the limit, never surprising with unrealistic oversteering, as sometimes happened before on consoles.
Traction Control and ABS controls have been improved, making it easier to drive even in critical conditions. THEFinally, Assetto Corsa Competizione has become much more playable with the pad. It always remains a game that gives its best with a steering wheel, but now even those who do not have it can enjoy driving a predictable, controllable car and a lot of fun to drive even with the controller. The sounds have also been improved a lot, resulting now more realistic and clear. The last step for Kunos and 505 is make the response of the curbs as realistic and “sweet” as the one in the PC version, always on target on the curb issue. But given the improvements in the other sectors, we are now sure that the guys from Kunos and 505 will come to fix this too.
Is it worth buying Assetto Corsa Competizione British GT Pack?
The answer to this question is very simple: yes, since it is a free content. If you love driving on Assetto Corsa Competizione and want to really test yourself, you can't miss this DLC. It doesn't add new cars, amazing new modes, or abysmal improvements. Instead, it introduces three really tough tracks, which will give even the best and most experienced players a hard time among you. But finishing a race, overtaking or just lining up three perfect laps at Snetterton or Oulton Park will be immense satisfaction, more than a whole race on an easier circuit. And then, how cool is it to be able to impress one of the most talented and beloved drivers in Formula 1 history like Jenson Button?
Even with the British GT package, Assetto Corsa Competizione proved to be the best simulator currently available on consoles. The combination of great realism, excellent graphics, fun for sim drivers and casual players and many different modes makes it a must for all petrolhead gamers. The continuous adjustment of modes, gameplay and the introduction of entire championships for free then makes us understand the longevity of this title, ready to become a classic for motor enthusiasts. For those wishing to learn more about what we think of the game by Kunos Simulations and 505 Games, here below you will find the complete review. Among the list of available cars, driving impressions, gameplay and conclusions you will find something for your teeth. The British GT Pack DLC has been available for a few days on all console stores. Will you buy it, or rather, will you download it? Let us know in the comments!
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Assetto Corsa Competition - PlayStation 4
- Not just a realistic driving experience, but a fully immersive racing simulation - with all the licenses ...
- All the details are carefully recreated to ensure maximum realism made possible thanks to the power of ...
- It integrates a built-in accurate ranking and rating system that allows you to precisely profile each player.
Assetto Corsa Competition - Xbox One
- Not just a realistic driving experience, but a fully immersive racing simulation - with all the licenses ...
- All the details are carefully recreated to ensure maximum realism made possible thanks to the power of ...
- It integrates a built-in accurate ranking and rating system that allows you to precisely profile each player.
Logitech G923 TRUEFORCE 1000 Hz Steering Wheel and Pedals of ...
- TRUEFORCE: TRUEFORCE technology connects to motors for high definition return. Live a driving experience ...
- PROGRAMMABLE DOUBLE CLUTCH: start faster and with a clearer view. The programmable double clutch ...
- CONTROL THE RACE: adjust your speed with the LED tachometer, control your driving with the built-in PlayStation controls ...
