Well, I downloaded the demo (easily and first time at the metrixx (?)
site and installed it. Right off, I notice the graphics are even
cripser and clearer a bit than ICR2 (my imagination and anticipation
probably). The Atlanta track now looks like the Atlanta track as it
appears (anyone confirm this?) that the banking is a little closer to
reality than the original Nascar. The physical attributes of the
track (the condo tower, the new front straight grandstand (which is
actually on the current back straight) and a more complete infield
make it more realistic. Playable though? YES. I don't have a super
computer, but it's no paperweight either (P150, 16 meg, 2 meg PCI vid
card) and the graphics were smooth in the game. Replays dragged a bit
and were quite choppy as you could actually watch the game DRAW the
track in 200 foot sections in front of the car and pull it up behind
the car. The sound is exactly the same. Engine, thunks into the
wall, tire skidding, etc. One thing that is welcomed is the "good ol'
boy" spotter you have on the "radio" which is pretty well done. He
doesn't talk your ear off but lets you look straight ahead while he
watches the traffic next to you high or low. He even gives
encouragement like "Bring it home now...you're the man...." One thing
I didn't see (or at least it didn't appear with the settings and I
looked) were the tire marks on "the line" around the track. Those
nice black smudges you follow around the track and keep some semblence
of a line to take. Did I miss something? Anyway, MY report card on
the demo:
Graphics: A
Graphics Speed: A- Graphics Speed in Replay: B
Sound: C (no difference, maybe release will have slight upgrades?)
Realism: A (track environment more realistic, even uses PCX photo)
Artistics: A (between race screens, photo PCX instead of graphic PCX)
Overall: A (Solid upgrade from the original, worth the money)
I'd give it a rating of about 140-50% over NASCAR. Not twice as
nice, but it did add things that were really needed and eliminated the
shortcomings of the old engine.