Picked up the CD-ROM version from Babbages in Natick, MA last night. $58.
Probably could have gotten it cheaper, but the bird in the hand... I played
with it for a couple of hours last night, so these comments are far from
complete.
A bit about my system: 486DX2-66, 2X CD Rom, ATI Ultra Pro 32 bit w/2M dram.
First point: SVGA mode is playable on my machine ONLY if I shut off almost
every graphic feature, and IF there are no other cars on the track.
Otherwise, the frame rate is terrible (I can count the frames as they change).
SVGA is for Pentium only, IMHO. The SVGA graphics are spectactacular
though...
VGA mode is fine on my system and seems to run at about the same frame rate as
Indycar Racing does.
The sounds are VERY well done. When the race starts, just sit there and
listen to the cars drive away from you. And on a short track, the sound never
really goes away. And crashes? The sound will make you hurt.
Cool Features:
- Black Flags. Go over 55 in the pits and get a black flag. You've got 5
laps to come in for a stop-and-go or you're disqualified.
- The pit: Come into the pit. The right side of your car tilts up as you
hear the air-wrench extracing lug nuts. New tires on and repeat for the
left side. If you've got crunched sheet metal, the pit will take longer.
- 'Dega drafting. Yup... be part of the snake as it slithers down the back
stretch. Get out of the draft and watch car after car slide past as you
wait for an open space to pull back in line. I can see now why drivers
don't really care for the plates too much. Takes at least 2 laps to get
up to full speed at Talladega.
- Speeds I've seen so far are very accurate. At New Hampshire, cars can
usually do around 100 around the turns and max at around 150-160 on the
straight, just like the real thing. Back stretch speeds at Michigan are
somewhere around 194. Yup, that sounds right.
- Replay angles are really cool.
- Comments in the manual by Dave Marcis and Joe Nemechek are right on the
money so far in explaining the neuances of each track.
- On practice days, the stands are empty... on race day, they're full!
- GAME SAVING! CAR DAMAGE! TIRE CHOICES!
Problems or complaints:
- I like to use the left-ALT key and the left * key on my keyboard for the gas
and brake respectively. Nascar racing doesn't like me using the * key. I
haven't checked yet, but it might be reserved for something else. When I
push it, the screen locks up for a second (which makes it hard braking when
going into a corner).
- I'm no Dale E. fan, but I must admit that I was disapointed when I couldn't
do a little rubbin' with the black #3. Tony, you're working on new paint
jobs, right? 8^) Also, I really dislike not getting to see "Miller
Genuine Draft" on Rusty's car. This PC thing (no, not personal computer)
has gone too far.
- The controls are still taking a little getting used to. It isn't like
Indycar racing where the car just sticks to the track.
Anyway, I'll stop babbling now. Any comments on what I've said here?
Later...
Steve