Picked this one up and had a chance to sit down with it today...
First of all, the game has one of the most confusing interfaces I have ever seen in a racing game. While I can understand and appreciate what the developers were trying to do by allowing you several ways and places to access many gameplay options, at first you'll likely have a hard time figuring out what race you are about to race next, or even what car you are using! Make sure you use the 'race scheduling' option, or whatever it is called, as your base...that will keep you somewhat sane!
I am also glad this game is on the xbox, AND it supports custom soundtracks. The ingame tracks were turned off before the end of my first test lap. Horrid stuff.
The handling of the vehicles, at least the lower powered ones available to you at the start of the game, is not nearly as difficult as advertised. In fact, the sim-inclined can go right ahead and put the sim level at 100% from the start, along with turning ABS and the other driving aids off. It's OK, you'll be able to handle it. No where near as difficult as Ferrari f-355.
I'd also suggest turning off the dynamic AI difficulty, unless you are a fan of rubberband, catch-up racing. While not as strong as Apex's rubberband, dynamic AI lets you catch up pretty easily after some poor driving, and likewise keeps the AI close even if you have been running perfectly. Like Apex, the catching up is easy, but the overtaking requires some work. I have found fixed AI at about 85% to be a nice place for me to start.
The cokpit camera is nice in this game, and works well with my wheel. They have a rear view mirror, but I have found myself turning it off unless I needed it, because it does seem to affect frame rate. Frame rate can slow down a touch from time to time even without it, especially at corners, but nothing so-far that affected my control.
The tracks I have raced on so far have been nice, and it is true you can see areas of the track far in the distance that you can race right up to! Neat touch! They included 'fog' as a weather effect, and the first few races i raced happened to be in fog. I was annoyed as i though they were using a cheap tactic to cover up pop-up, but I have since raced in other conditions with much better visability.
You are rated in various driving aspects as you participate in each race, stuff like fairness, style, etc. You will get demerits for 'shortening' the track by cutting corners, taking shortcuts, etc, but so far I have found the penalties to be somewhat inconsistent. I have taken some serious shortcuts and only been penalized a little, while other times my tire barely clips the dirt at a corner and I lose points. We'll see how this plays out.
So far I am enjoying the game. I have some new cars and tracks unlocked, though honestly I don't know how or why...maybe time released?
The racing is more relaxed than 'white-knucle' so far, but that may change with the heavier HP vehicles.
First of all, the game has one of the most confusing interfaces I have ever seen in a racing game. While I can understand and appreciate what the developers were trying to do by allowing you several ways and places to access many gameplay options, at first you'll likely have a hard time figuring out what race you are about to race next, or even what car you are using! Make sure you use the 'race scheduling' option, or whatever it is called, as your base...that will keep you somewhat sane!
I am also glad this game is on the xbox, AND it supports custom soundtracks. The ingame tracks were turned off before the end of my first test lap. Horrid stuff.
The handling of the vehicles, at least the lower powered ones available to you at the start of the game, is not nearly as difficult as advertised. In fact, the sim-inclined can go right ahead and put the sim level at 100% from the start, along with turning ABS and the other driving aids off. It's OK, you'll be able to handle it. No where near as difficult as Ferrari f-355.
I'd also suggest turning off the dynamic AI difficulty, unless you are a fan of rubberband, catch-up racing. While not as strong as Apex's rubberband, dynamic AI lets you catch up pretty easily after some poor driving, and likewise keeps the AI close even if you have been running perfectly. Like Apex, the catching up is easy, but the overtaking requires some work. I have found fixed AI at about 85% to be a nice place for me to start.
The cokpit camera is nice in this game, and works well with my wheel. They have a rear view mirror, but I have found myself turning it off unless I needed it, because it does seem to affect frame rate. Frame rate can slow down a touch from time to time even without it, especially at corners, but nothing so-far that affected my control.
The tracks I have raced on so far have been nice, and it is true you can see areas of the track far in the distance that you can race right up to! Neat touch! They included 'fog' as a weather effect, and the first few races i raced happened to be in fog. I was annoyed as i though they were using a cheap tactic to cover up pop-up, but I have since raced in other conditions with much better visability.
You are rated in various driving aspects as you participate in each race, stuff like fairness, style, etc. You will get demerits for 'shortening' the track by cutting corners, taking shortcuts, etc, but so far I have found the penalties to be somewhat inconsistent. I have taken some serious shortcuts and only been penalized a little, while other times my tire barely clips the dirt at a corner and I lose points. We'll see how this plays out.
So far I am enjoying the game. I have some new cars and tracks unlocked, though honestly I don't know how or why...maybe time released?
The racing is more relaxed than 'white-knucle' so far, but that may change with the heavier HP vehicles.
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