The ticker does change to indicate if the driver would be in the Chase if they finished in their current position. Live Points Updates when getting close to the chase if a driver is in or out?Ī. The game will feature a live ticker during the race which updates with the current running order. operate under exactly the same conditions as the player.Ī. Will the AI be realistic in the way of fuel consumption and tire wear?Ī. None has being planned for the 2011 game. This will be updated regular and we will pick out and answer the key questions that you guys are asking.Ī. However, we are noticing a few duplicated questions and have decided to pull together an FAQ. We are constantly looking through the forums and trying to answer each and every question. As it stands, it's probably worth a rental for the average gamer.Truly heartbreaking when you read some of this: Had it been taken as seriously as other racers on the market, NASCAR 2011 could have been a very solid title. It’s not easy to make a simple heads or tails of the entire package. The distractions are all standard graphical enhancements, but a NASCAR title that didn’t appear modern, at least on the surface, would have been even more problematic. Roaring engines are always welcome to the audio party, while a crisp presentation ensures the player’s focus is where it needs to be.
Superficially, NASCAR 2011 does know how to impress. These troubles are made even more upsetting because the game is so strongly executed at its core, implying that it could have been a much better product under ideal conditions.
At least one patch has been released already, but it's scarcely adequate. As usual, the looming presence of the brand puts pressure on the devs, so the final product doesn’t feel quite “final" enough.
Everything from game freezes to “invisible” cars suggest that NASCAR 2011 could have used more time in development and testing. Online play feels like an afterthought, with far more than an acceptable level of lag.
The caution flags are a joke, and the AI could benefit from mood stabilizers, with cars behaving normally one minute and mindlessly hostile the next. These might be forgivable omissions, but the pervasive technical issues are difficult to ignore. Some features that previous NASCAR titles offered (competitive campaigns, anyone?) are nowhere to be found here. In truth, the game does little to change the mind of a naysayer, so it's sure to garner more praise among existing fans.įinding a solid “NASCAR defense” in this game is a bit tricky. It may sound simplistic, but this set-up allows a clearer focus on the core strategy of the sport and may serve as a nice introduction for those who scoff at its credibility. The central gameplay emphasizes your handling of turns on the tracks, and you may find that what worked well on a previous race doesn’t guarantee success on the next. Experience earned actually has no immediate effect on the gameplay, and while that may sound disappointing, it does allow the intrinsic reward of a fine race to shine through. Those who follow NASCAR will already know the star individuals, and those who don’t probably don't care. Credit should also be given to the elimination and invitational challenges, which add some much needed variety to the predictable racing experience.Īlong with the standard thrill of roaring speed and violent collisions, the NASCAR franchise brings with it all the famous faces. Optional assistance can also help newcomers feel at ease and will hopefully bolster confidence so players will try more on their own time. These adjustments can be saved, and the game will also provide recommendations for those who are too intimidated to bother with it. Most likely, the real effort went into the tuning system, which allows you to tweak endlessly–a feature that comes in handy when adapting your vehicle to the unique needs of each track. The depth here is disappointing, but perhaps the developers felt that there were better things to tinker with than a car’s appearance. Customization is the big attraction, allowing you to arrange all of your car's fancy colors and details in a suitable fashion.
As one might expect, career mode is where beginners will spend the most time, at least at first. NASCAR 2011 comes with the usual array of modes, including career, exhibition, and multiplayer. I'm probably not the best person to rush to the defense of NASCAR however, if fans wished to provide adequate evidence of the event's intricacy and inherent beauty, they could certainly do much worse than NASCAR 2011: The Game. Other than entertaining mobs of simple-minded hill folk, there is surely nothing worthwhile about a NASCAR event. For some, the idea of cars caked in corporate logos flying around a big looped track is silly.