Customer Reviews

Downforce

Graphically the game is alright... the cars and tracks are rendered quite nicely and details like air streaming off the rear spoiler, damaged parts wobbling and smoking and brake rotors glowing add some ambience, but overall nothing really jumps out and grabs you other than the impressive movie-style crash sequences. Sound is also average, nothing really stellar but it won't make your ears bleed. The high-pitched engine whine may annoy your dog, though.

The tracks offered in the game are quite challenging from a technical point of view, but often become amazingly frustrating due to the cars. As the game's name suggests these cars are highly dependent on downforce for their control, so when parts get damaged or knocked off they become increasingly harder to get around the corners without whacking into something.

Adding more to the frustration is that AI cars have no problems with shoving you around (possibly a product of the league's "no rules" format?), so if you try to pass on a corner you can expect them to try and wreck you. Speaking of wrecks, don't expect your spotter to warn you of them ahead of time... he usually only cuts in to complement you on passes or tell you to speed up if you're trailing the pack. Those flaws aside, the game does have its bright spots. There's enough variety in the tracks to test your skills, and while the cars are largely similar in performance each one has a special trait that can be used to your advantage (Jackhammer's car has very low drag which gives it an edge in acceleration, Hiroo's car has superior braking, and so on).

If you liked Daytona USA, this game will probably appeal to you right off. If you believe that all racing games must be like Gran Turismo, then don't bother. Everyone else, rent first and see if it suits your tastes.