This sci-fi horror racer is one of my favorite PC games, and it's currently going for less than a fiver during the Steam racing fest

(Image credit: Refract)

When Distance released in 2018 it felt like a big deal. It's a grimy sci-fi arcade racer blending the nightmarish vibes of Thumper with the cheerful time-attack moreishness of Trackmania. It's both zen-like and quietly disturbing. It's blisteringly fast, but it has a strange tranquilizing effect. I adore it, and I don't know why people don't talk about it more often.

In addition to a long campaign that manages to blend psychedelic set pieces with precision-oriented racing, there's dozens of arcade tracks ranging from seamless high-speed sprints through to elaborate freeform trick arenas. It also has Steam Workshop support, so there are thousands of user-made tracks to download and play. Not all of them are Mario Kart remakes and vaporwave tributes either (don't worry: there are a lot of those if you want 'em). There's online and splitscreen multiplayer too, though after years of playing Distance I've never touched either.

Sorry to be that guy but you have to get it: it's currently 90% off on Steam, bringing it down to $2.49. It was one of the first games I installed when I got a Steam Deck, and I was immediately blown away by how gorgeous it still looks. Other sci-fi racers like Redout have a more elaborate art style that wends closer to WipeOut, but Distance is more like WipeOut's cyber-goth cousin: less eager to please and more fun to be around. It's kinda special in the sense that it's a sci-fi racer that doesn't seem completely indebted to Psygnosis' vision.

The Steam Racing Fest kicked off earlier this week and, as you'd expect, there's lots of racing games on sale. If you're after other racers that aren't Forza, WRC, F1, and Assetto, check out the following:

Best PC controller 2025

👉Check out our full guide👈

1. Best overall:
Xbox Wireless Controller

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GameSir Nova Lite

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Xbox Elite Series 2

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Scuf Instinct Pro

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Sony DualSense

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Shaun Prescott is the Australian editor of PC Gamer. With over ten years experience covering the games industry, his work has appeared on GamesRadar+, TechRadar, The Guardian, PLAY Magazine, the Sydney Morning Herald, and more. Specific interests include indie games, obscure Metroidvanias, speedrunning, experimental games and FPSs. He thinks Lulu by Metallica and Lou Reed is an all-time classic that will receive its due critical reappraisal one day.

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