NASCAR Thunder 2004 released today

[Rodster]

Re: NASCAR Thunder 2004 released today

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
Rodster:

But has EA dumbed-down the physics and racing model of the console version, as it does with all of its licensed racing games?

Serious question, not a bash.

Take care,
PK

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Yeah PK it's a joke (XBOX), stay away from this one. I was expecting a dumb down version anyway but it looks god awful like a PS1 game. It comes with jaggies, it looks grainy and the framerate can't hold steady with lots of dips and pauses. It's a PS2 port to the max.

OTOH the PC version is stellar, not quite ready to dethrone NR2003 but it's knocking at the door. Yes in one years time it's improved that much. It even got the attention of Randy M.

Sad that EA keeps treating the XBOX like a step child when you have games like Rallisport 2 and Pro Race Driver 2 which both show off the power of the Xbox, sad.

[BigDPW]

Re: NASCAR Thunder 2004 released today

I am debating about PS2 vs. PC for this game... The main question I have is if the Career Mode is significantly different for the PS2 and the PC... I really enjoyed the PS2 career mode last year and I understand there may be improvements to the PS2 career this year??? I think the PC version has last years career mode in it - have there been any changes to it at all...

I realize that the PC version does not have rivals which is something I can live with...

My main issue is that I have a wheel for my PC and don't really want to spring for a wheel on the PS2 also if I would be satisfied with the PC version of the game...

So I would love to know if there is any significant difference between the console and PC career modes (except the rival mode)...

[BigDPW]

Re: NASCAR Thunder 2004 released today

I am debating about PS2 vs. PC for this game... The main question I have is if the Career Mode is significantly different for the PS2 and the PC... I really enjoyed the PS2 career mode last year and I understand there may be improvements to the PS2 career this year??? I think the PC version has last years career mode in it - have there been any changes to it at all...

I realize that the PC version does not have rivals which is something I can live with...

My main issue is that I have a wheel for my PC and don't really want to spring for a wheel on the PS2 also if I would be satisfied with the PC version of the game...

So I would love to know if there is any significant difference between the console and PC career modes (except the rival mode)...

[BigDPW]

Re: NASCAR Thunder 2004 released today

I am debating about PS2 vs. PC for this game... The main question I have is if the Career Mode is significantly different for the PS2 and the PC... I really enjoyed the PS2 career mode last year and I understand there may be improvements to the PS2 career this year??? I think the PC version has last years career mode in it - have there been any changes to it at all...

I realize that the PC version does not have rivals which is something I can live with...

My main issue is that I have a wheel for my PC and don't really want to spring for a wheel on the PS2 also if I would be satisfied with the PC version of the game...

So I would love to know if there is any significant difference between the console and PC career modes (except the rival mode)...

[Rodster]

Re: NASCAR Thunder 2004 released today

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
BigDPW said:
I am debating about PS2 vs. PC for this game... The main question I have is if the Career Mode is significantly different for the PS2 and the PC... I really enjoyed the PS2 career mode last year and I understand there may be improvements to the PS2 career this year??? I think the PC version has last years career mode in it - have there been any changes to it at all...

I realize that the PC version does not have rivals which is something I can live with...

My main issue is that I have a wheel for my PC and don't really want to spring for a wheel on the PS2 also if I would be satisfied with the PC version of the game...

So I would love to know if there is any significant difference between the console and PC career modes (except the rival mode)...

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

That's my understanding as well. The main difference with PS2 and PC Career Mode from what I understand is "Research" it's been tweaked a little. I fired up Career Mode on the XBOX and the main difference was the front end. I think both PC v PS2 Career Mode are basically the same under the hood.

Playing NT2004 on both the XBOX and PC, the PC wins hands down easy. It's hard to look at the console version. You mentioned that you can live without Rivals Mode that's another reason to get the PC version. I tried it and it's ok, it's just EA's way of encouraging good driving on the console version. PC gamers tend to drive more responsibly anyway cause it tends to be an older group of gamers.

Another thing to think about is that the XBOX reportedly has the better look and framerate over the PS2. I can honestly say the XBOX version is utter crap and basically unplayable because of the framerate.

If you're set on buying the PS2 version I would encourage you to rent it first if your game store doesn't take returns.

[Rodster]

Re: NASCAR Thunder 2004 released today

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
BigDPW said:
I am debating about PS2 vs. PC for this game... The main question I have is if the Career Mode is significantly different for the PS2 and the PC... I really enjoyed the PS2 career mode last year and I understand there may be improvements to the PS2 career this year??? I think the PC version has last years career mode in it - have there been any changes to it at all...

I realize that the PC version does not have rivals which is something I can live with...

My main issue is that I have a wheel for my PC and don't really want to spring for a wheel on the PS2 also if I would be satisfied with the PC version of the game...

So I would love to know if there is any significant difference between the console and PC career modes (except the rival mode)...

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

That's my understanding as well. The main difference with PS2 and PC Career Mode from what I understand is "Research" it's been tweaked a little. I fired up Career Mode on the XBOX and the main difference was the front end. I think both PC v PS2 Career Mode are basically the same under the hood.

Playing NT2004 on both the XBOX and PC, the PC wins hands down easy. It's hard to look at the console version. You mentioned that you can live without Rivals Mode that's another reason to get the PC version. I tried it and it's ok, it's just EA's way of encouraging good driving on the console version. PC gamers tend to drive more responsibly anyway cause it tends to be an older group of gamers.

Another thing to think about is that the XBOX reportedly has the better look and framerate over the PS2. I can honestly say the XBOX version is utter crap and basically unplayable because of the framerate.

If you're set on buying the PS2 version I would encourage you to rent it first if your game store doesn't take returns.

[Rodster]

Re: NASCAR Thunder 2004 released today

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
BigDPW said:
I am debating about PS2 vs. PC for this game... The main question I have is if the Career Mode is significantly different for the PS2 and the PC... I really enjoyed the PS2 career mode last year and I understand there may be improvements to the PS2 career this year??? I think the PC version has last years career mode in it - have there been any changes to it at all...

I realize that the PC version does not have rivals which is something I can live with...

My main issue is that I have a wheel for my PC and don't really want to spring for a wheel on the PS2 also if I would be satisfied with the PC version of the game...

So I would love to know if there is any significant difference between the console and PC career modes (except the rival mode)...

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

That's my understanding as well. The main difference with PS2 and PC Career Mode from what I understand is "Research" it's been tweaked a little. I fired up Career Mode on the XBOX and the main difference was the front end. I think both PC v PS2 Career Mode are basically the same under the hood.

Playing NT2004 on both the XBOX and PC, the PC wins hands down easy. It's hard to look at the console version. You mentioned that you can live without Rivals Mode that's another reason to get the PC version. I tried it and it's ok, it's just EA's way of encouraging good driving on the console version. PC gamers tend to drive more responsibly anyway cause it tends to be an older group of gamers.

Another thing to think about is that the XBOX reportedly has the better look and framerate over the PS2. I can honestly say the XBOX version is utter crap and basically unplayable because of the framerate.

If you're set on buying the PS2 version I would encourage you to rent it first if your game store doesn't take returns.

[TCrouch]

Re: NASCAR Thunder 2004 released today

I am pleasantly surprised by the PC version. I liked it a lot more at first (when I figured the weird control was something I just hadn't tweaked yet), but as of 1am last night, I still couldn't get my TSW Formula to perform properly in the game. I tried all sorts of settings with the sensitivity, dead zone, speed sensitivity, etc...but nothing made it feel "controllable". Pack driving was a bit more tedious than it should have been, because getting the car to go straight was a task all in itself.

The career mode is pretty nice...at least they "PC"d it. Nice interface, tabs that you mouseclick on. No console-itis in the interface, at least. I didn't see a thing about rivals or allies...at 100% AI at Daytona, they ran away from me in my first career race. Drop it to 90%, I run away from them. Pretty much what I expected.

One thing I was really pleased with was when I tested at Texas. With all the aids off, I was actually able to "drift" the car into a corner...the screen shimmied a bit, and I looked in the mirror and there were sparks flying backward. Basically, I was able to successfully bottom the car out, and slide it into a corner without the trademark Thunder "loss of speed rear end slide" that they seemed to love in the past.

In the end, I was a bit frustrated with the tweaks required to control it, but I'm probably still used to NR2003. I'll play with it more tonight.

[TCrouch]

Re: NASCAR Thunder 2004 released today

I am pleasantly surprised by the PC version. I liked it a lot more at first (when I figured the weird control was something I just hadn't tweaked yet), but as of 1am last night, I still couldn't get my TSW Formula to perform properly in the game. I tried all sorts of settings with the sensitivity, dead zone, speed sensitivity, etc...but nothing made it feel "controllable". Pack driving was a bit more tedious than it should have been, because getting the car to go straight was a task all in itself.

The career mode is pretty nice...at least they "PC"d it. Nice interface, tabs that you mouseclick on. No console-itis in the interface, at least. I didn't see a thing about rivals or allies...at 100% AI at Daytona, they ran away from me in my first career race. Drop it to 90%, I run away from them. Pretty much what I expected.

One thing I was really pleased with was when I tested at Texas. With all the aids off, I was actually able to "drift" the car into a corner...the screen shimmied a bit, and I looked in the mirror and there were sparks flying backward. Basically, I was able to successfully bottom the car out, and slide it into a corner without the trademark Thunder "loss of speed rear end slide" that they seemed to love in the past.

In the end, I was a bit frustrated with the tweaks required to control it, but I'm probably still used to NR2003. I'll play with it more tonight.

[TCrouch]

Re: NASCAR Thunder 2004 released today

I am pleasantly surprised by the PC version. I liked it a lot more at first (when I figured the weird control was something I just hadn't tweaked yet), but as of 1am last night, I still couldn't get my TSW Formula to perform properly in the game. I tried all sorts of settings with the sensitivity, dead zone, speed sensitivity, etc...but nothing made it feel "controllable". Pack driving was a bit more tedious than it should have been, because getting the car to go straight was a task all in itself.

The career mode is pretty nice...at least they "PC"d it. Nice interface, tabs that you mouseclick on. No console-itis in the interface, at least. I didn't see a thing about rivals or allies...at 100% AI at Daytona, they ran away from me in my first career race. Drop it to 90%, I run away from them. Pretty much what I expected.

One thing I was really pleased with was when I tested at Texas. With all the aids off, I was actually able to "drift" the car into a corner...the screen shimmied a bit, and I looked in the mirror and there were sparks flying backward. Basically, I was able to successfully bottom the car out, and slide it into a corner without the trademark Thunder "loss of speed rear end slide" that they seemed to love in the past.

In the end, I was a bit frustrated with the tweaks required to control it, but I'm probably still used to NR2003. I'll play with it more tonight.

[Rodster]

Re: NASCAR Thunder 2004 released today

Hey TCrouch read Randy M's review at IGN he had simililar issues with the wheel setup as well. Hopefully EA can address that with a patch.

[Rodster]

Re: NASCAR Thunder 2004 released today

Hey TCrouch read Randy M's review at IGN he had simililar issues with the wheel setup as well. Hopefully EA can address that with a patch.

[Rodster]

Re: NASCAR Thunder 2004 released today

Hey TCrouch read Randy M's review at IGN he had simililar issues with the wheel setup as well. Hopefully EA can address that with a patch.

[TCrouch]

Re: NASCAR Thunder 2004 released today

I have a Dual-Shock type controller at home...I'm going to test that tonight. If it works with that, then I have a major beef with the game. That tells me that it suffers from console-port-itis, if it's set up for a dual analog gamepad.

Why, in this era of PC sim realism, a game would be designed with crappy wheel support, I have no idea.

[TCrouch]

Re: NASCAR Thunder 2004 released today

I have a Dual-Shock type controller at home...I'm going to test that tonight. If it works with that, then I have a major beef with the game. That tells me that it suffers from console-port-itis, if it's set up for a dual analog gamepad.

Why, in this era of PC sim realism, a game would be designed with crappy wheel support, I have no idea.