A challenging and engaging racing game

The driving in this game is more on the simulator end of the spectrum, although there are some arcade aspects as well (let's say 75% sim, 25% arcade). It never feels bad to be behind the wheel but there's some getting used to in the beginning. The game has a flashback system (limited according to your difficulty level) in case you make some mistakes, and I found the AI somewhat forgiving on Hard, but that might just be me. If you find the right balance of challenge for a race the experience can be quite thrilling.

The game doesn't have a story per se, but you do have a career mode that has you starting from a freelance driver and building and managing your own team (including hiring sponsors and teammates) to conquer championships all around the world. The races are divided into European, American and Japanese leagues, each with its own license points system that keeps you from accessing the top races right away. Depending on your driving skills and your difficulty settings it can be either a moderately long journey or a month's work to beat it.

The car engines are for the most part distinct, although there's not an instantly recogniseable car based on engine sound alone. The sound effects from crases and tire screeching are very well made and the placement is perfect, especially when listening from the inside of the car. In every race your pit engineer keeps you informed of most of the developments around you, both the ones you can see (or participate in) and the ones you don't. Your teammates make comments from time to time as well. I played this a couple of months before writing this and I don't remember if the game's soundtrack is good or not, but I do remember muting it for a better immersion or to play my own and not having any regrets.

The game requires some tweaking to fully enjoy the visuals on PC, like removing the yellowish filter that carried over from the console releases and a few texture upgrades to make the cars really shine. The tracks don't need much improvement and the skyboxes look pretty natural as they are. Regarding the cars, every one has a fully rendered interior (unlike the sequels).

Overall, a very very solid racing game that can perfectly stand up to today's releases, and for the most part outclass them.

A challenging and engaging racing game The driving in this game is more on the simulator end of the spectrum, although there are some arcade aspects as well (let's say 75% sim, 25% arcade). It never feels bad to be behind the wheel but there's some getting used to in the beginning. The game has a flashback system (limited according to your difficulty level) in case you make some mistakes, and I found the AI somewhat forgiving on Hard, but that might just be me. If you find the right balance of challenge for a race the experience can be quite thrilling. The game doesn't have a story per se, but you do have a career mode that has you starting from a freelance driver and building and managing your own team (including hiring sponsors and teammates) to conquer championships all around the world. The races are divided into European, American and Japanese leagues, each with its own license points system that keeps you from accessing the top races right away. Depending on your driving skills and your difficulty settings it can be either a moderately long journey or a month's work to beat it. The car engines are for the most part distinct, although there's not an instantly recogniseable car based on engine sound alone. The sound effects from crases and tire screeching are very well made and the placement is perfect, especially when listening from the inside of the car. In every race your pit engineer keeps you informed of most of the developments around you, both the ones you can see (or participate in) and the ones you don't. Your teammates make comments from time to time as well. I played this a couple of months before writing this and I don't remember if the game's soundtrack is good or not, but I do remember muting it for a better immersion or to play my own and not having any regrets. The game requires some tweaking to fully enjoy the visuals on PC, like removing the yellowish filter that carried over from the console releases and a few texture upgrades to make the cars really shine. The tracks don't need much improvement and the skyboxes look pretty natural as they are. Regarding the cars, every one has a fully rendered interior (unlike the sequels). Overall, a very very solid racing game that can perfectly stand up to today's releases, and for the most part outclass them.