Customer Reviews

Nascar Racing 4

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Incredible. Just got my copy today. I'm blown away. This is not some race-around-and-smash-other cars game like the EA Nascar games, this is pure simulation. The physics model is incredible. The graphics are top notch... includes D3D *and* OpenGL. Attention to detail in the physics department is why I liked the demo, and what prompted me to pick up the boxed retail. If you fall behind a bit, or can't figure out the optimum path through a corner, you've got a lot of catching up to do. If you don't care about tweaking tire pressure, camber, weight distribution, I really wouldn't bother. Go pick up a fun arcade game like Colin McRae 2. If you dig the *whole* experience, give Papyrus its due and pick this one up.

I love this game!! This is the first NASCAR Racing game I've owned and played, but I have to tell you it's intense! This is the first brand-new game I've installed on my new computer, and granted it's a 1.3 GHz system, the graphics are superb. I love the sound of the engine, and the feel of the game. The Paint Shop feature is awesome too, although a little hard to figure out at first, once you've got it figured out you'll be changing paint schemes everytime you play it. Also, I plan on purchasing a steeering wheel/foot pedal set up to complete the experience. I have a Microsoft Plug and Play game pad which for some reason just refuses to work with this game(but it works with my Need for Speed 3 and High Stakes sims), so it's either run the car with the keypad controls(I don't Think So!!), or my Microsoft Presicion Pro joystick which works where the gamepad will not. It's nice, but I'm not flying a plane, I'm driving a stock car, so that fix is obvious. However, I do not reccomend this game if your system is not up to it. I installed it on my older 375 MHz system before I got my new PC, and let's just say that was a bad idea. I don't even want to discuss how bad the game ran. But if you've got the system, or plan on getting one, and you're a fan of racing and of NASCAR, GET THIS GAME!

As many a hardcore computer racing simulator fan knows, Grand Prix Legends (same makers of this NASCAR 4 sim) is simply the best when it comes to the most realistic physics engine. Long awaited by NASCAR fans since GPL, NASCAR 4 is finally here, using the same realistic physics engine as in GPL.

As I read somewhere, before you start racing in this sim, throw away everything you know from other racing simulators as none of them come as close to the real thing as this sim. Think you can mash the throttle to the floor and get away with it? Wrong! Think you can go speeding through a tight corner at Watkins Glen or any of the other race tracks without going off road? Wrong! Even taking the first turn at a track like Daytona (we finally have DAYTONA!) takes a little adjusting to.

For previous owners of GPL, it shouldn't take too much time to get used to the full 3D physics engine, but for those just getting acquainted with this sim, you'll want to take many pratice solo laps before starting a racing season.

As has been mentioned, the only real downside with this sim is the AI. They give NO quarter, and essentially never yield their position to you, be you faster than them or not. Also, they have a tendency to slam into the back of you during restarts, and have very poor accident avoidance. The AI is mostly good only for training yourself in dealing with more than yourself on the track. The best enjoyment of this sim comes with racing in online competition.

All in all, a great sim. Give it some time getting used to the physics engine, and you'll love this game. Also, be SURE to get a good racing wheel. If you can afford it, get a force feedback wheel too. While it's possible to race with a joystick, you won't be very competitive. Oh, and don't even think about racing with only the keyboard - while it's techincally possible to do, you'll never be able to hold your line in traffic.

Also, if your computer isn't at least a P3 700 (or equivalent) or better, I wouldn't bother buying this game if you want to race against more than yourself. On my dual-processor P3 733, 256MB RAM, Win2k, and a TNT2 32MB video card, I'm just able to get a playable framerate with a full field of cars. About 23fps when all cars are on the screen, and a max of 43fps by myself. If the framerate drops below 20fps, you won't be able to react fast enough. Keep in mind that 32fps is fluid motion, and most US movies run at about 24fps.

NASCAR Racing 4 is the best racing game to hit the shelves. The graphics are VERY realistic. At first, you can't tell that some of the screenshots that you can take aren't actually photos. The game includes advances replay controls, also. The cars are extremely detailed, including the car manufacturer (all four are available), sponsor, and light reflections. Force feedback can be enabled, and you experience the "feel" of the race car. There are realistic 3D physics, meaning your setep is reflected in the actions of the car. Also, if you hit at the right angle, your car can be flipping in a hurry. There is very realistic damage. You can race at 21 Winston Cup tracks in testing, single race, or championship mode. There are many setting for the race, including weather, race length, and opponent strength (70 to 120 percent). You can race in arcade or realistic mode. The car's setup gives a lot of options (many more than those in NASCAR Racing 3). The AI is very stong, competitive, and smart. There is also a online multiplayer mode in which up to 43 players can race online. Sierra and Papyrus did an exellent job on this game. If you're looking for a racing game, BUY THIS. It's well worth it.

NASCAR Racing 4 is without any doubt the best NASCAR racing sim out there. When Papyrus first created and released NASCAR Racing, it flew off the shelves.

And now Papyrus has done it again.

The physics can't get any better than this. The only problem is that when you first play, the handling and control is VERY tight the car always drifts over to the wall, or "pushing". You'll have to fiddle around with the settings to find the best setups for the different tracks.

As for the drivers and cars, everything is excellent except that some of the drivers that had already switched to Dodge (i.e. Bill Elliot) are still with their cars that they drove before the switch. But you can create your own drivers with the car of your choice and then create your own paint job in the Paint Shop.

The track selection is perfect. Includes all of the tracks for the 2000 season, including Daytona, Pocono and the Brickyard (Indy).

And as for the damage factor, if you set the damage option to Realistic, then you're bound to see quite a few horrific wrecks and HUGE messes all over the track. Overtime, the damages will spread through the car, impacting each part seperately.

The AI is top-notch, and the computer controlled cars act like the real drivers, and won't make rookie mistakes when set at a high difficulty level.

The graphics show a LOT of details, including smoke, lighting effects when racing under the lights, skid marks, and more.

Overall, NASCAR Racing 4 is a must-buy, although it can be frustrating for rookies.

Okay, why this game is so darn good... It's simple. THE GRAPHICS... Wow you'd be amazed at the way this game performs on your PC. It might be a little hard to control the car if your using the keybored, but if you have the steering wheel available then your in good hands. I wasn't to convinced about this game at first because I am not into the racing simulation, although don't get me wrong I love cars and all. If you are not sure about spending money on this game and are one of those people that do massive research about a game before going ahead and purchasing it (Like myself) then you have no worries because I have already done the research for you. You will not be disappointed and will have a fun time. You can modify your own car, great race tracks to choose from and the replays are just the best, I found several different dents on my car from crashing in defferent directions on the track when I saw the replay. They use real life physics to give you the feeling of the car. You'd be astonished at what this game has to offer... YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED AT ALL.

GOOD JOB PAPYRUS

Right out of the box, I had fun with NASCAR 4! I set up my steering wheel and pedals and started racin' with the big boys. It looks like it will take some learning to get used to setting up a car in the garage (which to me is WAY COOL!), but, I'm looking forward to it. The sim physics are great. The realism is astounding. Racing on the Internet? Woo Hoo! The only disappointment was lack of Dodge heavyhitters in the lineup. Where's Bill Elliot in the number 9 car? Andretti in his Dodge? Sterling Marlin? They promise you Dodge on the box and give you one driver. oops! The good news is: It won't be long before someone creates it in the Paint shop. Yes, you can actually create your own car! Another fine job by the folks at Papyrus Racing!

this is a great racing sim! the only thing is you better make sure you excede the reccomended requirements. i have a 500MHz AMD with 128MB of RAM and an ATI Rage 128 AGP video card. you'd think that i could run this game but while racing a field of only 20 cars the frame rate almost bottoms out during close racing. its almost unplayable, so until i get either more RAM or a new processor im gonna have to stick to NASCAR 3. the box reccomends that you have a PIII600 i would say make that at least an AMD800 or PIII800 with more that 128MB of RAM and a 64MB AGP card. like i said this is a great racing sim but it really puts drain on the processor.

I own the Game.. AllThough The requirements don't mention it, Nascar4 also works with WINXP also.. I have XP and I have no problem with it.. After you install, connect on line and let it update.. Great graphics.. Smooth controls with Thrustmaster Racing Wheel.. Better than Nascar Thunder or Nascar2003..

Do you want monster realism and physics? Scrutinize this one with a lot of nitpicking, folks, because what we have here is a reformation of one of the most "highly valued" games around. Want to go backwards (but driving forward) at 188 m.p.h. (don't mean to sound harsh, but)? Go ahead. You'll experience the major collision with about 30 cars flipping up into the air sideways, or many different ways. While viewing the replay, you'll see one of the front panels of many race cars fly up 50' in the air; glass, parts, destruction....This is more like NASCAR, people!

Handling your car can be a slight boo-boo, unless you download the patch, where not only will you then exceed in winning some famous races, but become more skilled for multiplayer races.

Just listen to the major BOOM when you smash head on into one of those Nascar cars at 190 m.p.h. We've got some major sound effects!! Many other great sounds, like screeching the tires, tires exploding, you name it.

Also, want to paint your own vehicle? Go to the paintshop. Save a few images from the internet and put them on your car!

If you want, you can operate on your car, tune it any way you want!

That's the reformation of a great Nascar game, people. Bright, sophisticated, brilliant details and graphics and gameplay make this the worthy, leading successor of all the Nascar games out there for the PC.