NASCAR 08 review (PlayStation 2)

Picture the scene if you will: Panning down from above, you spot a line of cars racing inexorably around a large circular track, like worker ants scurrying about their daily business. All seem to follow the pattern without so much as a slip up. Then, incongruously, one or two cars break the foundation of the meticulously crafted line, overtaking the vehicle in front of them before nestling comfortably back into the race. Repeat for the next 20+ laps or so.

My Way or the High Way

While not perhaps the most articulate of ways to describe NASCAR, this is essentially what you’ll be doing 95 per cent of the time in Electronic Arts latest offering in the popular racing sport for PlayStation 2; Nascar ’08.

Make no mistake, Nascar aficionados are in for a treat with EA’s latest attempt in the series, wrapping up a healthy dose of content into the game like a southern U.S baguette; 43 cars to race against, heaps of officially-licensed tracks, damage models plus some familiar faces from the world of NASCAR racing. You can tweak the performance of your vehicle by nudging a number of options on or off such as Tyres and Weight, Suspension and more. Those of you who are eager to get in the hot seat should head straight over to the instant race option, allowing you to jump straight in and get a feel for the game before tackling one of many game modes on offer.

Tearin’ up the Track

The main highlight is the chance to compete in a total of four racing series - NASCAR National Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Whelen Modified Series and NEXTEL Cup Series. Here, you can create your own personalised driver and progress through the game, as you’d expect, receiving new contracts and details through the use of the familiar text service. Additionally, you are also given a special skill system to facilitate your chances of nabbing that all more lucrative racing contract. This includes skills in six main areas: Front Running, On the Charge, Race Strategy, Experience, Flair/Charisma and Precision. Fortunately, the game allows you to get a head start on things by competing in the Qualifiers round before you embark on your career to earn yourself a few extra points.

This requires you to complete one lap of a particular course in a specific time frame - fail to do so, however, and you won’t get a chance to amend your mistakes. What’s more, these tasks are deceptively ruthless, requiring you to plan your journey right down to the last microsecond, so be prepared to endure consecutive bouts of frustration as you hit the retry button for the umpteenth time until you even so much as scrape the bronze prize. As a result, you may find it easier to simply earn your points progressing through your career as normal. Skill Points also allow you to compete in License Challenges; these are paid events that allow you to test your skills, which, provided you pass, will open up the chance to hop into a more potent machine. Other modes on offer include the Custom Car Garage, allowing you to tweak your favourite vehicles at your leisure, as well as other familiar outings that aim to bolster your playtime, such as Ghost Car and an online mode for up to four players.

Speed Demon

Driving itself is a fairly balanced affair; the controls are well thought out, allowing for comfortable acceleration by pressing the R2 button, and breaking with the L2 button. The game lets you change your view by pressing the circle button, shifting through a number of different perspectives, including an interior view. However, actually guiding your vehicle can prove difficult, as things become a little too over sensitive; make so much as a wrong move (for example, crashing into a barrier or competing driver) and you’ll struggle to get back in the race before you are battered from behind and driven off the track. A handy damage indicator gives you a clear idea of when to make a pit stop, but its not much use in the midst of swaying haphazardly amongst 20 other motors travelling at over 150mph. More satisfying, however, is the means in which you progress. The game inculcates a sense of care and precision as you slowly but surely work your way up through the ranks in any given race, creating a sense of accomplishment at every position earned. Players must also take to watch out for any flag warnings, such as the yellow caution flag, which signals you to maintain your current position or face being heavily reprimanded.

A small slice of strategic play also comes into frame from time to time, where you’ll be able to befriend other drivers by sharing draft to help each other progress through the ranks. Elsewhere, teammates can be manipulated via the D-pad, offering simple instructions such as Block, Work With Me and Follow. On the flip side, you can also use the ‘Intimidator button’ (square) when positioned directly behind another racer to throw them off concentration allowing you to overtake; there’s a price for this, though, as the said drive will bare a lasting grudge for the remainder of the race. Unfortunately the AI fair underwhelming, and will do little to improve (or deter, depending on the situation) your chances of winning a race. As such, it sometimes feels like your efforts to reach the chequered flag are impeded only by your own inabilities, with your rivals just there to make up the numbers, as opposed to giving you a half decent challenge.

Shiny New Motor

Also new this time around is the ability to save your progress in the middle of any race, allowing you to build on your success if you slip up later down the line by reloading it. While not necessary in other racing games, it’s a welcome addition here given the sheer quantity of laps you must complete. As such, it also acts as a remedy for any monotony setting in, allowing you to play the game in small segments, completing a lap or two and coming back to it later.

The game encompasses an impressive visual quality intrinsic of many latter day PS2 games, particularly the ‘blur’ effect used to increase a sense of speed. Likewise, damage models are nicely done, and there’s a fair amount of destruction your cars can endure, particularly when you get caught in a massive pile up. The sound effects are pretty basic by accounts, but do their job nonetheless, although the soundtrack is particularly noteworthy for its jaunty anthems, featuring the likes of rockers Velvet Revolver all the way to country duo Big & Rich.

Overall, NASCAR 08 is a rewarding endeavour for those who share a passion for this type of sport, though in all honesty will feel considerably flat to those who prefer to spend their time doing more than taking a hard left. It’s a competent outing with a healthy number of modes on offer and does the job just fine – just don’t expect to be blown away by anything. Essentially, one for hardcore fans.