car

GRAPHICS:
The graphics is above average for sure; however it still looks like a PS2 game, if you compare it to Project Gotham Racing both 1 & 2

GAMEPLAY:
The driving physics seems pretty realistic but actually still feels a little bit arcade-ish, and I wish there can be more driving feedback similar to what Gran Turismo 3 provides. Maybe it's the camera angle or the controller feedback, I don't know. The developer at Capcom would have to figure the formula out, especially if they want the next release to be the GT4 killer. Unlike most other racers like PGR 1 & 2, Need for Speed: Underground, R: Racing Evolution or Auto Modellista, this game does not put a big emphasis on drifting or power sliding. If you are the old-school player like me, who would rather worry about things like the line, the apex and exit speed, you are going to enjoy this game, just like you enjoy GT3 or SEGA GT.

SOUND:
The sound is nicely done, I could actually tell, from next room, what car my girl friend was driving, whether a screamer like Integra Type-R or a growling 911. I have nothing to say about the background music since I didn't really pay too much attention to them.

USER INTERFACE:
There is no story mode in this game, only what they called "circuit mode". You might find this boring if you have just finished Pro Race Driver or R:REvo. This game has a very innovative garage management system. Instead of going thru the long list of your cars with a more-or-less text-based tool, you use an icon-based system. If you care about decorating your garage like you do in AM, SEGA GT or NFS:U, no, sorry, not in this game. BTW I wish there is an option to turn off the menu tip, because they can be very annoying for some people.

CARS:
This game has all of the "essential" cars from Japanese, American and European makers. Even though this game does not have many exotic models, it does provide a huge inventory of cars from some Japanese tuning houses, like Nismo or TRD. I know that people from the rest of the world wouldn't care, but I still wish there can be more American classic models in this game. If you enjoy driving classics, stick with SEGA GT. Most parts of a car can be upgraded. However, only the suspension and the break can be tuned. I wish I can also tweak the wheels and transmission, things like chamber angle, gear ratio or final drive ratio. If you enjoy messing with the car settings, no, this game is nothing like Pro Race Driver, GT3 or even SEGA GT.

AI:
I know because of the sponsorship from the automakers, Capcom couldn't really program any car damage into the game. But that doesn't mean all of the cars should be driven like bumper cars. The AI opponents in this game care ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about damaging their cars. This can be very frustrating especially when you play in tracks like Monte Carlo. The following scenario has happened to me several and several times. I was in 1st place for almost the entire race, I was following the correct lines at all the turns, and I made no mistakes, then all of a sudden, WHAMO, I was either hitting the wall or spinning out-of-control at the final corner, because I was slammed by 2nd place AI from rear. Just like how a run-away fugitive got slammed by the state trooper in any high speed chase. Of course, NFS: Hot Pursuit players may like it, BUT THIS CAN BE VERY, VERY FRUSTRATING FOR MOST OF THE PLAYERS. I know this game is cheap, but doesn't mean the AI has to be cheap too......... And this is why I am taking a star off my score here.

FINAL VERDICT:
It is still a very entertaining and addicting racer, and come on, for $29.99 we are talking about bang for the bucks here.