REVIEW: BeamNG.drive (2026 Video Game) - on PS5

Review by Jon Donnis

BeamNG.drive is finally available on consoles, and after years of watching PC players enjoy this remarkably detailed driving simulator, I was delighted to get behind the wheel on PS5. It has been well worth the wait, although this is not a game without its frustrations. The physics are exceptional, the freedom to experiment is addictive, and the sheer variety of things to do makes it easy to lose hours without noticing. Unfortunately, awkward controls, a confusing interface and some technical limitations prevent it from reaching its full potential.

What makes BeamNG.drive different from most driving games is its approach to vehicle physics. Rather than treating cars as objects that simply move around a track, it simulates how their individual components react to the road, collisions and changes in weight and momentum. The result is a driving experience that feels remarkably convincing, whether you are negotiating a difficult corner or watching your car fold around a tree after misjudging a turn.

The damage modelling is easily one of the game's greatest strengths. Vehicles crumple, panels buckle and components can break in ways that reflect the severity of an impact. A collision is more than a brief animation followed by a return to the track. Damage can affect how your vehicle drives, turning a minor mistake into a much bigger problem if you are unlucky.

I found myself repeatedly testing the limits of the physics, sometimes deliberately and sometimes through simple misjudgement. There is an undeniable satisfaction in seeing how your vehicle crumples after a crash, although some frustration if you were in the middle of a challenge and are only a few hundred metres from the finish line, and you car will no longer drive straight. The destruction is impressive, but it is the underlying simulation that keeps things interesting.

Thankfully, BeamNG.drive is about much more than crashing cars. The handling is convincing, and different vehicles have distinct characteristics that make them enjoyable to drive for different reasons. A small hatchback behaves very differently from a powerful sports car or a heavy truck, and learning how each responds is part of the appeal.

Drifting and handbrake turns are particularly enjoyable once you become comfortable with the handling. You need to pay attention to your speed, steering and throttle rather than relying on the forgiving physics found in many arcade racers. Off-road driving is equally rewarding. Rally routes, rocky trails and uneven terrain provide a genuine test of your vehicle's suspension and traction, making it satisfying when you finally manage to negotiate a difficult section without getting stuck or damaging your car.

Vehicle customisation adds another welcome layer of depth. There are dozens of vehicles to choose from, with options to modify components such as engines, wheels and suspension. These changes can influence how a vehicle behaves, encouraging you to experiment rather than simply choosing the fastest car available. I particularly enjoyed the freedom to try different setups and see how they performed in situations where the original configuration might struggle.

There is no shortage of places to test your creations, either. The game features more than a dozen open-world environments, ranging from desert landscapes and urban streets to highways and tropical routes. The desert areas are especially attractive, with expansive scenery and sunset lighting that create some memorable views. The graphics are not among the most impressive on PS5, but the environments provide plenty of space to explore, and the vehicle simulation is far more important to the experience than visual spectacle.

Free Roam is where I spent much of my time. You can select a vehicle, choose your destination and drive without worrying about completing a particular objective. It is a relaxing way to explore the maps, but it also encourages experimentation. Environmental conditions and physics settings can be adjusted, allowing you to introduce unusual challenges or simply see what happens when the rules of ordinary driving no longer apply.

That freedom is a major part of BeamNG.drive's appeal, although it will not suit everyone. The game often leaves you to decide what you want to do next, and I enjoyed having the freedom to create my own entertainment. However, players who prefer a clear progression system and a steady stream of objectives may find the experience aimless at times. There is always something to try, but you need to be willing to find it yourself.

For those who want more structure, Scenarios and Time Trials provide a welcome change of pace. Delivery missions and police pursuits introduce specific challenges, while Time Trials allow you to practise a route and improve your best times. These activities make good use of the physics engine, although they are not always as compelling as the open-world sandbox.

Career mode adds further missions and activities, but it is one of the less convincing aspects of the game. The missions can feel disconnected, and the overall progression lacks the cohesion needed to keep everything moving towards a meaningful goal. The insurance and vehicle ownership systems can also be frustrating in a game built around experimentation and destruction. Having to worry about the consequences of a crash sometimes feels at odds with the freedom that makes BeamNG.drive so enjoyable in the first place.

The biggest problem with the PS5 version, however, is its control scheme. BeamNG.drive has a great many functions, and the DualSense controller does not have enough buttons to accommodate them all comfortably. Too many actions rely on button combinations, which can be difficult to remember and awkward to use while driving. I often found that interacting with the game required more effort than it should, particularly when trying to adjust settings or access features quickly. I feel like I need to buy a gaming steering wheel to truly appreciate this game.

The interface compounds the problem. Menus and submenus can be confusing, text is sometimes too small, and unclear icons make certain options difficult to identify. Even basic adjustments can take longer than necessary. It is an irritating distraction in a game that otherwise encourages you to experiment freely, and the console version would benefit enormously from a more intuitive layout and controls designed specifically for the DualSense.

The lack of mod support is another disappointment. The PC version benefits from community-created vehicles, maps and other additions, giving players more ways to expand the experience. PS5 owners do not have the same flexibility, which limits the possibilities for those who want to keep discovering new content. There is already plenty to enjoy, but the absence of mods is noticeable when customisation and experimentation are such important parts of the game.

Performance is generally smooth during ordinary driving, although it can suffer when several AI vehicles are on screen or a scenario places greater demands on the simulation. Frame rate drops are disappointing during these moments, particularly when multiple vehicles interacting with one another can produce some of the game's most interesting situations. The visuals are also relatively modest compared with other modern PS5 releases, although the convincing damage modelling and realistic engine sounds help maintain immersion.

Despite these shortcomings, BeamNG.drive is a remarkable achievement on console. It brings a complex vehicle simulation to PS5 and retains much of what makes the experience so appealing on PC. The controls and interface need attention, Career mode could be more engaging, and the lack of mods limits its long-term potential. Yet the quality of the physics and the freedom to experiment make it difficult to put down.

I am delighted that BeamNG.drive has finally arrived on consoles. It offers something genuinely different from the usual racing games, and its combination of realistic handling, detailed damage and open-ended gameplay gives it an identity of its own. I can spend an evening trying to master an off-road route, testing a modified vehicle or simply exploring, then finish by creating an absurd crash just to see what happens.

There is still room for improvement, but the foundations are excellent. If the PS5 version receives continued updates and improvements, it has the potential to become an even more substantial experience. Even as it stands, I expect to return to it for years to come, not because it constantly gives me something to unlock, but because there is always another idea worth trying.

BeamNG.drive is not the most accessible driving game, nor is it the most polished. But for anyone who enjoys cars, realistic physics and the freedom to make their own fun, it is an exceptional simulator that offers something few competitors can match.

I score BeamNG.drive a solid 9 out of 10.

Out Now on PS5

https://store.playstation.com/en-us/concept/10015321/