There are lots of NASCAR racing games on the market, some are
very very good and some are barely worth mentioning. This game will fit in the
very very good category. Read on die-hards and I will give you the full scoop.
When I recently did the Beta Test for this game, I was amazed at
the level of detail that went into it and was hoping that all those details
would make it to the retail version of the game. Sometimes the content of the
Beta will differ from the full version release. Well, I was not disappointed, in
fact I was very happy to see all the detail was there plus more!
Papyrus Racing and Sierra have gone to great lengths to bring us
the most realistic racing simulation to date. First they have bump mapped each
and every track to give you a more realistic feel when using a force feedback
driving controller. What is bump mapping? As we all know, race track surfaces
are just like the real roads we drive on everyday. They are made of concrete and
asphalt, both of which, when used to build a road are far from perfectly smooth.
They have cracks, dips, patches, changes in texture and grip, and so do race
track surfaces. Bump mapping takes those imperfections and translates them into
twitches and bumps we can "feel" with our force feedback controllers. When you
add these twitches and bumps with the "cockpit jitter" (the view from the
cockpit moves and shakes as if the car were reacting to track conditions) the
results are a fantastic "feel" that is different for each track. Now that is
cool! But far from the end of the improvements, lets also add some new physics
that figure in the effects of wear, air pressure, and heat on the tires. Now we
have to keep an eye on track temperatures as if we didn’t have enough to do
already. So it’s time to pit and change those tires and you head down pit row,
wait…what is this? Pit row is now fully occupied! Full pit crews for every car
is going to make it a lot more difficult to find your pit and get in without
banging into someone else! And these are but a few of the great new details
added to the wonderful world of NASCAR racing.
More new features include:
*This is the first game with all the 2003 drivers, teams,
sponsors, and all 23 Winston Cup Tracks including the newly renovated Infineon
Raceway and the New Hampshire International Speedway!
*New 3D graphics provide a dynamic race environment where dirt
and oil accumulate on your windshield and sun glare create a real racing
challenge.
*Technical partnerships with Goodyear and Jasper Motorsports
enhance the physics models to give the drivers a more accurate and unparalleled
racing experience.
*Bump mapping for each track lets you "Feel" the track like
never before.
*New AI system allows rookies and pros to race fender to fender
as the computer field of racers automatically adjust to the racers skill level.
*A fully populated pit row with crews, war wagons, signs, flags,
and aerial objects make finding and getting into your pit an all new experience.
*Driving tutorials and driving lessons cover every aspect of
NASCAR driving and setting up your car, these are invaluable and very well done.
*Full 42 car fields are available to race online via LAN or
Internet.
Now I did put this game through it’s paces and raced every track
(even though I did not have the time to find the ultimate set up for each) and
was blown away at the details in each track. This game has a very high level of
detail in every area from the cars to the track side objects, to the sky.
Everything is well finished and looks great. The driving experience was second
to none. Using the New Logitech MOMO Racing Wheel (Full Force Feedback), coupled
with the bump mapping done on these tracks, provided a "feel" that is not found
in any of the other NASCAR titles I own or have driven. That "feel" is more
realistic than anything currently on the market today, in fact, the only thing
lacking is the "smell" of burnt rubber and fuel!
Interfaces between screens and options is very well laid out and
extremely easy to use. This is a good thing when you have as many tuning options
as this game. As with real racing cars, every part of these cars are tunable
from tire air pressure, to spoiler angle, to spring rates, to rear end gearing.
You can even adjust the amount of grill tape you use, and every adjustment DOES
have an effect on your cars handling and overall speed. The default set up will
get you racing, but…there is always room for improvement. Just remember to
make your changes one at a time and test test test. (I am pretty sure that
within a month or so there will be plenty of good set ups out there, however
trying to get someone with a good set up to share it with you may be a little
like pulling a tigers teeth!) So it may be best to work up your own set up and
test it until you are happy with it.
The LAN/Internet connections to this game are great. The user
interface is easy to use and provides full lists of other drivers, tracks, and
connection speeds that are ready for play. The internet play was very good
though lag can be found with drivers still on dial up modems. I have found that
DSL/Cable users usually with race with themselves and ask Dial up modem drivers
to do the same. Now this may sound a little unfair, but does serve a good cause.
DSL/Cable users are connected at a much higher speed than dial ups and thus play
together without much lag. However put a dial up driver in the same race and lag
does occur and can be rather hazardous. The dial up racers creates lag in the
system due to his slower speed and without warning his car may disappear from
the screen only to reappear in a most dangerous place as his modem catches up
with the play. This sometimes causes crashes and you can see why the drivers try
to keep the different speeds separate.
This may be the best racing game to date, it has caught my full
attention and is currently the only game on my "Top Shelf"
GAMEPLAY: 9.8
This game plays like a dream. Controls are easy to set up and use. Tons of
options let you set up the game to fit your likes and your computers
capabilities. This game also gives you a "Complete" package, all the drivers,
all the cars, all the tracks, and all the details! Several play modes let you
race a single race or a whole season against the computer or via the Internet or
LAN against real drivers. Given the amount of car tuning options, you can tune
cars till the cows come home! And with all the cars and tracks, this game has
tremendous replay value
GRAPHICS: 9.5
Stellar graphics give your eyes plenty to look at and it all looks good! Views
from inside the car are the best I’ve seen yet, and a full pit row is a sight to
behold! The illusion of speed is very good, especially if your upside down and
spinning down the back straight! Perhaps the only improvement is in the area of
crash damage, but that may be a question of physics as well as graphics.
SOUNDS: 9.2
"Drivers start your engines!" From that point on you might as well be "IN" the
car, the sounds are fantastic, full, and ultra-realistic. Play it as loud as you
can get away with!
DIFFICULTY: Variable
Because of the new AI system that automatically adjusts the computer field to
the drivers skill level, the game is always challenging. Set up and gameplay are
easy enough to manipulate.
CONCEPT: 9.2
While the basic NASCAR game format is not new, there are several new additions
that add tremendous impact to the "same old game". A full pit row is something
that is a real treat, as is the bump mapping of the tracks. Add that with the
new physics and graphics and it changes the whole game, and I LIKE IT!
MULTIPLAYER: 9
Some of the best online racing I have ever seen! Easy interface allows you to
pick the track and connection speed that suits you. Full 42 car fields are
available online.
OVERALL: 9.5
This game has brought some new cards to the table, new graphics that are great,
some new physics that are so realistic, all the newest drivers, cars, and
tracks, and force feedback features that will leave you as tired as if you had
driven a 500 mile race! The overall package is an ultra-realistic racing
experience that is unequalled at this time. In this ever expanding world of
gaming, you often hear the remark "This is the Best!" only to have another game
the following month that is also "The Best!", and they might both be the best.
Given the rate at which technical advancements are progressing, it is possible
for "the Best" to change at almost any time.
This is currently the best available at this time! The Dog gives
it the highest ratings, and two thumbs up….now if you’ll excuse me, Dale
Earnhardt Jr. and I have a small score to settle over at Daytona…..
