Do not let the comments put you off!!!

Prior to buying rFactor 2 I was kind of sceptic due to the large amount of comments saying its simply a game engine.

rFactor 2 is indeed only a engine - but no worries, the base game DOES come with content - it just gets delivered in a very weird way, via Steam Workshop.
When first installing the game, and launching it, it doesn't always install the game content; A way to force the game to automatically install it all, is by going to rFactor 2's Workshop, and subscribing to whatever in there (Doesnt matter what), and then booting up your game again.
This should trigger the install of all rFactor 2 base content.

GAME REVIEW:
I find rFactor to be one of the best simulation-racing games I have yet played, it equals the other simulation-racing titles out there; So if you have a wheel and pedals, and love zooming in high end racing cars, then this game is for you.
Graphics are superb, vehicle physics is off the hook, and the ability to run 24 hour races with driver swaps is -insane-.

The game is best played with friends, or alone; Public servers are a mess, and if you don't have -ALL- dlc content, finding servers to play on can be a battle.
Setting up a server is A PAIN compared to - ANY other game out there.. It has one of the worst systems I have ever seen, and it will defo. require some technical skills if you want a server up and running.

A cheat sheet for those trying with a server;
-- Close down Steam before you launch the dedicated server- this way you can still start rfactor while hosting.
-- 9/10 wont be able to find their own server via ingame launcher, use the +connect 192.168.x.x param to direct-join your server. (Obviously external IP for friends)
-- Gather all installed packages in a MOD to actually run the packages.


TLDR;
Really, really good game, has its small quirks, but works pretty good out of the box. Advanced in terms of server hosting.
8/10

Game has not received any updates since december (2020), and still feels like a very early access game.
I would NOT recommend this game at 25 euros, simply too expensive for what you get.

Would probably rate up if the game actually worked.
I meet recommended specs, and have gone through 6 hours of trying to fix the game.
Simply crashes on start up.

Slightly mixed feelings about ARK.
While the game itself is awesome and exciting, it defo. has it flaws. Flaws that has been there for several years now, which the dev STILL haven't done jack about.

If you're okay with spending 4 hours to find a server to play on, just to get wiped by outdated mods and poor performance > Ark is the game for you.
Can you look past these flaws, you're up for a second life.