Project Cars 2, the crowdfunded racing sequel from Bandai Namco, is holding its own at this year’s E3 against giants in the racing genre such as Forza and Gran Turismo. The game’s focus on “absolute realism” through a variety of new cutting-edge features and mechanics is helping it to carve its own place in its niche of modern gaming as a truly authentic auto-racing experience.

Building on the successes of the original Project Cars game, Project Cars 2 brings a feature called LiveTrack 3.0 which cranks up the game’s realism in several ways. Dynamic weather in the game will have numerous measurable aspects such as air temperature, track temperature, humidity, and more, which will all affect the cars’ performance. Fluid dynamics will also work in real-time on the track as weather becomes a factor; a short time-lapse video in our group presentation showed rainwater flowing from high areas of a race track and collecting in low depressions, slowly building into puddles which then become potential hydro-planing hazards for unwary drivers. The game will also include greatly improved tire physics systems, including one in which drifting and sliding on the track will actually rip rubber particles out of the tires and attach them to the track, altering that part of the asphalt’s grip levels for drivers who follow.

Returning from the original Project Cars is the game’s career mode, where the player can prove their prowess as a driver at various real-world competitions around the world and become a racing superstar. A new improved brand sponsorship system will reward players who drive and succeed using cars from a single manufacturer, like Porsche or Ford, allowing them to initiate a series of “side-quests” to impress this manufacturer and hopefully establish a brand deal, giving them access to exclusive vehicles and rewards attached to that automaker.

Project Cars 2 will be available on September 22nd 2017; it is now available for pre-order at projectcarsgame.com.