NASCAR The Game 2011 Q&A and Impressions

[Giants2003]

Re: NASCAR The Game 2011 Q&A and Impressions

Here's another scheme I made last night and today. Again, it's kind of plain, but I'm not completely confident in my abilities on the paint booth yet.







I also have tail-lights on the rears of the cars now, and the ones I have were surprisingly easy to make.

Nice job on this but I cant seam to get the numbers to work? how did you number the car?

[Romain El 82]

Re: NASCAR The Game 2011 Q&A and Impressions

Nice job on this but I cant seam to get the numbers to work? how did you number the car?

You have to put numbers on via the "Text" method...so go through the menu like you're going to put text on the car but instead put on a number. You can only do it one at a time (just like text) so I've found it's best to create a decal for the numbers.

[Papi34]

Re: NASCAR The Game 2011 Q&A and Impressions

Finally got my copy through today and don't mind admitting I'm really nervous about firing it up. I'm trying to go in open minded and not go looking for the faults.

I've been playing a lot of NR2003 recently as well, which probably isn't going to help!

[bigdoc85]

Re: NASCAR The Game 2011 Q&A and Impressions

Is this NR2003 that everyone keeps talking about the PC game?

Finally got my copy through today and don't mind admitting I'm really nervous about firing it up. I'm trying to go in open minded and not go looking for the faults.

I've been playing a lot of NR2003 recently as well, which probably isn't going to help!

[goosedawg68]

Re: NASCAR The Game 2011 Q&A and Impressions

Is this NR2003 that everyone keeps talking about the PC game?

Yes it is.

[Papi34]

Re: NASCAR The Game 2011 Q&A and Impressions

So I fired the game up with some nervousness this afternoon. Nice intro and a bit of ZZ Top to get you in the mood. I'm playing with a Driving Force GT and jumped straight into Career on Hard and all assists off. Thought I better practice first and the first thing that hit me was the handling. Nice. Very nice. Feels great and the force feedback is nice and strong.
On to qualifying and it is way too easy, even on hard. I've found it so easy to get pole on nearly every track. No way you should be two seconds faster than the next car.
Anyhoo, I've had about 7 races now and overall I'm having an absolute blast with the game. Now I am only doing 20% distance so a lot of the of the AI issues aren't showing up as there's no pitstops. I can definitely live with only doing that distance until the second patch comes out. I'll give a few longer races a shot over the weekend to see if the bugs show up.

So far, there's nothing about the game that's really bothering me, quite the opposite. On the few tracks I've raced, I've not seen any bunching or sudden braking and the caution has come out every time it, although sometimes it has taken a while. It's great to see the cars bump drafting at tracks like Daytona, and it working as well. Frustrating though when you get hung out to dry! Actually, now I think about it, it is very frustrating when the AI spins you out trying to bump draft with you. Probably my only frustration with the game so far. Rewinds are handy here.
I know it's not perfect and it's certainly no "sim", but I'm having as much fun playing this as NR2003 on these short races.
I just had a 50 lapper at Bristol and it's one of the best racing experiences I've ever had. I was a nervous wreck by the end and my arms were nearly hanging off! God knows how anyone could do the full distance on that track, let alone the real race. I managed to get from 18th up to 8th, but had to work from every place. Really satisfying. Also managed no cautions as well, which is amazing for me at Bristol.

I like the replay system & photo mode, very easy to use. It is annoying that it won't even let you go into either with the wheel though. Wouldn't be an issue if you could use a controller in the 2 slot, but it is a bit of a pain (just a bit) to switch them. Here's a couple of photos I took.



Right before the thunder is unleashed at Bristol!




Love this one, looks just like a slo-mo shot on the race highlights video on ESPN. I was Carl Edwards trying to get back in the top 5 after losing control on the straight.


The game certainly is a looker, every track feels a lot more "alive" than other games and it sounds great as well. Live replays are a bit of a disappointment though, as has been said needs a lot more debris flying and damage visible.

Now, I'm not under any illusions about this game, it most certainly does have some issues and I'm concentrating on the positives, but I'm having great fun so far. Real fun. Yeah, I know I'm only doing short races, but I can handle that for the month or so it's going to take for the second patch. If they fix the big issues, and I really think they will, then this game is a winner for me.
By the way, for me, it's way better than Nascar 09. I'm actually really surprised how people are raving about this game now (especially on the Eutechnyx forums) when it's been constantly slated, especially in the lead up to this game.

Blue, I'd just like to say thanks for honest opinions about the game, not to mention the fact you stuck to them even under a barrage of abuse and criticism. I'm glad I listened to you. And that's not just because I agree with you! Value your opinion dude, and trust it.
Actually, now I think about it, I'm pretty sure you did the same thing with NCAA Basketball 11 for me as well or was that someone else? I'll have to check that.

[mwjr]

Re: NASCAR The Game 2011 Q&A and Impressions

Said this before, but man, that's a good-looking game.

Holding out until the patch, though.

[Brew]

Re: NASCAR The Game 2011 Q&A and Impressions

@Papi34 Glad to see you like the game... I think alot of people are overreacting and expected too much from this game. Though the game has its flaws and you will see some issues eventually especially if you play online and play longer races but all are very fixable. Hopefully, the patch fixes most if not all bugs.

[thx1113]

Re: NASCAR The Game 2011 Q&A and Impressions

Just unwrapped my copy and had a short time with it - one thing I've not seen anyone talk about, but worries/puzzles me - after racing a little at Daytona and Martinsville and enjoying that, I fired up Texas, with the default setup and the thing was almost undriveable! Not loose, so much as just snapping out of control with almost no warning. I've got all assists turned off, and I'm wondering if I need to start turning a few on. I then tried Atlanta and had exactly the same feeling. Now I'm not God's gift to stock car racing so maybe I need to learn some finesse, but even so...

I don't think it's the setup, as the Texas setup used at Daytona is fine (if a little slow...), so I'm at a bit of a loss as to how controllable the car feels at Daytona and Martinsville, but how out of control it feels at the two mile-and-a-half tracks I've tried.

Anyone else experienced this or got any tips?

Otherwise, loving the intensity of the racing, hating my inability to keep a really good line and not drift up on people with disastrous results...

[Brew]

Re: NASCAR The Game 2011 Q&A and Impressions

The high line works really well at Texas and Atlanta especially in turns 1 and 2. I dont use any brake in the corners unless Im in traffic. Diamonding the corners can be very effective especially in 3 & 4 at Texas. The wall there comes at you in a hurry! You really dont have to let off until the middle of 3 & 4 at both tracks. Let off early going into 1 and let the car roll through the center and go as hard as you can off the corner. If your slowing to under 170 in the corners your going too slow. If your in traffic, trail brake... stay on the gas and tap the brakes... this works really well when trying to draft at Daytona and Talladega.

As far as the assists, I started off using no assists and it takes time to get use to but is definitely the fastest way to go once you get use to it.
I use 3 bars of assists on ABS, SC and TC when online. I got tired of bad drivers running into me and leaving me no chance to save it with no assists on. I actually have a chance while having some SC and TC on. Just beware it will slow you down. So if you know your in a room with good clean drivers turn the assists back down or off.

If your on PS3 add me: OG-Brew
Always lookin for more guys to race against!

[Holic]

Re: NASCAR The Game 2011 Q&A and Impressions

Are most of you guys using steering wheels with this?

If so any suggestions for PS3?

[bigdoc85]

Re: NASCAR The Game 2011 Q&A and Impressions

I think the controller works okay on this game (better than some other driving / racing games I have tried). Unless you're a hard core driving game person, I think the Logitech Driving Force GT is a pretty good option.

[Perfect Zero]

Re: NASCAR The Game 2011 Q&A and Impressions

I think at Texas, the SAFER barrier placement makes it difficult to come out of the turns (especially number four). I like to take the lower line at Texas, but you have to be careful coming out of four or you'll trade paint with the wall.

As for wheel and controller; I feel like I have more control with the controller than with the wheel. I think a lot of it has to do with the camera. On GT5, the bumper view gives me a wide range, but there isn't a camera like that in NTG.

[hooder18]

Re: NASCAR The Game 2011 Q&A and Impressions

Stupid question: How do you view replays? I have only played a single player race (no career) and for the life of me, I cannot find the replay function. Any help would be appreciated.

[gigadkc]

Re: NASCAR The Game 2011 Q&A and Impressions

I think the controller works okay on this game (better than some other driving / racing games I have tried)

that's true. I used my controller and my G25 and I'm surprised how well u can drive using a controller. Of course it's more fun if you have a wheel and I'm also slightly faster when I use my G25 but you'll hardly find a racing game that can be played that good while using a controller.