I like this game a lot. It's especially fun for multiplayer split
screen racing. And I agree that it responds well to standard racing
techniques - slow in = fast out, controlled four wheel drift, etc.
Also, whether or not the cars are realistic, their performance relative
to each other is exactly what I would expect it to be. Weight
distribution and driven wheels (fwd, 4wd, etc.) all work the way one
would expect. The Viper shows it extreme horsepower, but is a bit
clumsier around the corners than, for example, the Ferraris. The
Porsches show the expected amount of power oversteer. I think the only
unrealistic thing is that the brakes seem too effective, but that's a
minor complaint in a game like this where you are dealing with street
racing rather than a closed course race series. One odd thing I have
noticed though is that it seems to do some handicapping in multiplayer.
I don't know whether it is based on who is in the lead in the race, or
on who has the most Kudos, but there have been times when racing with
identical cars that somebody came up from behind and just flew past me.
I was far enough down the straight that the exit speed from the previous
corner was not likely to be a factor. Have you noticed that? Still, it
makes for great racing. Best for two player, since four player is a bit
hard to use on my small TV. We have had some great photo finishes,
people being passed right at the finish line. Also, of the driving
games that I have for the Xbox (PGR, Heat, and F1 2001), this one is the
most nearly playable with the standard controller.
