Indie driving games can surprise, delight and innovate. So too can blockbuster ‘triple-A’ releases, but so often, a kernel of genius comes from a small, passionate team.
Recently, there has been a spate of limited-time demos, Kickstarter campaigns and social media teasers for the next generation of small-production, but big ambition, driving games.
Here are six we think are worth keeping an eye on as they near the end of development.
Over The Hill
Sometimes, virtual driving can be so serious. Competitive. Sweaty. And that’s great. When you’re in the mood for an iRacing Special Event or Sport Mode race in Gran Turismo 7, the sense of accomplishment can be unrivalled.
Yet, gaming can also be relaxing. It’s a way of switching off, de-stressing. That’s where the sedentary Over The Hill comes in.
By Strelka Games and Funselektor, the mind behind Art of Rally and Absolute Drift, comes a slow-paced overland experience, with bucolic free-roam surroundings and rewards for taking pictures of wildlife.
That’s not the only thing you’ll be taking photos of, as you traverse the countryside surroundings, the sheer beauty will have you reaching for your DSLR more often than the high or low range drive selector. We just couldn’t stop taking images.
But, speaking of ratios, there are parts of the map that are tricky, clambering over rocks and navigating over fallen trees acting as bridges, for instance. The main aim is to simply explore, and you can do this with up to three other players co-operatively online, but then find fallen meteorites, working together for extraction.
Then there’s the aforementioned wildlife images, plus other hidden bonuses or towing stuck vehicles, all the while unlocking new chunky vehicles and customisation parts along the way.
The changeable weather system and day-to-night time cycle are robust, including deep snow, which completely alters your experience.
This glacial tempo and relaxing ambient music mellows us out after a tough day of sim racing, and following over 600,000 downloads of the recent demo, it seems like we’re not the only ones. There’s no release window, but expect PC to launch first, ahead of the usual console versions later.
GRIP XR
If Over The Hill was a relaxing entry point to this list, our next entry is anything but.
Rollcage was an innovative game when it was released back in 1999, with unique buggy-style vehicles that could flip on their back. Unlike a sheep or Apple’s Magic Mouse, though, when upside down, they could still be used.
This is especially helpful as you could drive up the side, and sometimes on the roof, of levels. This was all at high speed while firing weapons at your rivals.
Now, 27 years later, it’s time for a spiritual successor, GRIP XR.
If this all sounds familiar, then you’re right, it is, as we’ve already had a Rollcage revival, with 2018’s GRIP. And then before that, there were the Redux and Extreme versions of the original titles.
So, this is actually a sequel to the reboot, which in turn built upon the remasters of the original. Got that?
And strap in, because this one ramps things up a notch. Going back to the eight-year-old GRIP, gently assisted you into the mind-bending level design, and oddly, even has an MG family SUV in the strangest licensing decision since the Will Smith film I, Robot decided that in the future, there will only be Audis.
GRIP XR, meanwhile, feels like the whole game is set to two times speed. It’s nearly impossible to work out where you’re going at any one time. I’m pressing the accelerator button, hitting boost strips and then, I’m upside down, on my side, facing the wrong way, or is it the right way? I’ve no idea.
Amidst this chaos is the ability to jump or flip your vehicle on its side, a mechanic called ‘crank’. The latter can come in handy to ‘right’ yourself if you’re feeling a little confused, which will happen as the level design seems ever-more outlandish. Certainly, this looks set to be a game where learning each level as some kind of elaborate parkour routine will be beneficial.
The handling, too – four wheel steering at up to 1000 kmph – is unorthodox, with a steep learning curve.
This demo is clearly in the early stages of prototyping, and aside from one track, the rest of the playable levels are notably unpolished. So we suspect that, come the final game, it could ease you into things. Or it’s just this mental from the off. In which case, bring on the anarchy.
GRIP XR is currently on Kickstarter, much like its direct predecessor, and this time it has surpassed the funding goal, which in turn promises a level editor and in-game workshop upon release. We’ll be tracking its progress.
AGX GP
The anti-gravity racing market seems to have gone beyond its WipEout zenith in terms of popularity, but that hasn’t stopped the likes of Pacer, Redout 2 and Fast Fusion in recent years from trying.
AGX GP is yet another high-speed futuristic racing game. But to differentiate itself from contemporaries, there is greater reliance on dashing with the shoulder buttons. This skill is used to deftly avoid roadblocks, while boosting and jumping (yes, you can jump with the press of a button) are used to skip momentum-robbing ‘run-off’ areas.
Like the aforementioned GRIP XR, you can also visit sideways-on parts of the track, too. But, it’s almost certainly less frenetic.
Combine these movements with a heavy reliance on boosting, and all of a sudden, there’s a sense of music rhythm games like Rock Band or Guitar Hero. Our eyes wide, foreheads sweating, trying to avoid objects and achieve quick times.
Leaderboard chasing, plus the simple bronze, silver and gold score times – all elements from something like Trackmania – within a lengthy single player career promise an engaging campaign. Online multiplayer is said to be part of the feature mix too.
To our surprise is the effort that’s gone into voicing tutorials, establishing a story of sorts (a billionaire has created the AGX competition) and the stunning visuals of the track-surrounding locations in space.
It’s all set to come together in the third quarter of this year.
Kaido Genkai
While AGX GP is all about speed and aggression, Kaido Genkei is all about leisurely strolls around an environment followed by a quick chat. It’s the countryside walking group of driving games.
If that walking group happened to also be an anime, with a cel-shaded look. Certainly, this mostly solo-developed and Kickstarter-backed RPG with cars has a vibe. There’s typically jaunty music, cute visuals and old-school text-based characters.
I suspect that’s why it has surpassed 40,000 wishlists on Steam and $35,000 of crowdfunding. This is very, very, charming.
Also, based on our hands-on test with the work-in-progress demo, in need of some vehicle handling tweaks (too leaden), AI behaviour alterations (they brake randomly in unexpected places) and more precise collision detection. Progress is also a little unclear, with only a mini-map to go on.
Which is why it’s an indie game to keep an eye on. The visuals, themes and slow, role-playing progression appeal. Let’s hope the funds and remaining time are used to polish up the racing aspects.
Rush Rally 4
So far, we’ve had two futuristic racers and two characterful excursions, each with its own twist. But this is slightly out of character as we haven’t mentioned rallying yet.
Well, now it’s time with Rush Rally 4.
Now this game is so nascent, we haven’t tried it or watched footage yet. But it exists, and Brownmonster Games (consisting of just two people) has been updating its blog with progress. We contacted them recently, and they confirmed that more updates will be on the way soon.
If you aren’t familiar with the series, these are among the best indie rally games, with Rush Rally 3’s deformable furniture, cockpit camera option and weighty handling belying its mobile phone genesis.
There are replays, cross-platform multiplayer, a single player campaign, damage, upgrades and extensive car customisation to boot. Plus, the best fake rally-driver names, period. Like Sebastian Lube. If you know, you know.
The fourth numbered series entry was announced in May 2024, and promised new tyre models and types, more advanced stage design with roadside ditches and greater spectator numbers, further track texture and tree details and more cars. Smaller details, such as having a digital dash and selecting right-hand-drive, are also on the list.
We’re lacking details presently, but we’re including it as a game to watch for the future, as its direct forerunner was so accomplished, plus the Rush Rally Origins top-down remake slash spin-off in 2022 is a hidden gem.
Once again, expect the diminutive outfit to use procedural tech to create the routes across mobile, PC and console devices, but with no firm release window just yet.
Super Woden GP 3
We’re going to end with another project that’s a sequel, could involve rallying (or rally cars at least) and is from a solo developer.
The Super Woden GP games have garnered a loyal following, with their top-down perspective, expansive single-player careers, varied car rosters and adorable visuals.
Following Super Woden Rally Edge, a more focused spin-off with a different camera perspective, Spanish creator ViJuDa is returning to the GP series with a third instalment.
That means varied vehicles and circuit racing, but this time, the option of chase and bumper cameras, for a significant change in gameplay compared to GP 1 and GP 2.
“Everything flows much better due to the experience gained from previous games,” the developer said to Traxion recently.
“It’s shaping up to be something very close to the kind of racing game I’ve always wanted to make.”
Several images, GIFs and work-in-progress video clips have since been shared on social media, with recognisable vehicles and tracks.
Rally Edge is one of our favourite releases in 2026, scoring a nine out of 10 and entering our list of best rally games on sale. With GP 3, if the beguiling handling and moreish career structure from that can be expanded upon, this is set to be another indie breakthrough.
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