Ok guys so here is some early impressions from a few hours on the beta today. I missed out on properly playing NTG:Inside Line, I did play 2010 though and am an avid iRacing oval racer, racing in the iRacing NASCAR series and UK Gen6 cup. Just remember I am playing it in beta so some things may be missing and/or be improved for the final game, in fact it was released yesterday and today already saw a patch update for the beta to improve some stability and game controller issues.
I have had time on Inside Line, just not deeply enough to draw real comparisons between it and the PC version of 2013, without playing side by side it is difficult to judge if the physics are better or not.
So, first things first, I was greeted with a nice sight when getting to the menu:
Yup, Gen6 cars for career and season mode. So not exactly a direct console port. The regular career and season mode options are there alongside the track test, quick race and so on. The highlights packages are included up to and including Pocono, also 2011 has a rather substantial collection of highlights, with the 2011 cars of course and 2012 has 3 highlights but with more seemingly coming as it is labelled "Pack 1". As of yet there is no way of using the 2011 and 2012 cars in season or race modes. Would be a nice addition to career for some progression but nice that they are in the highlights nonetheless and the beta guys are requesting them for use outside the highlight packs but I feel it could be more a license issue than anything.
Graphically, it's hard to say, its beta, there are some optimizations to come with regards to aliasing and such. I have played it on max graphics though and it is handsome. To my eyes already better than NTG:IL which is good and will only get better as the updates roll in before release.
Sounds, typically NASCAR, great engine noises, love the noise of being up near the wall and the wind rushing, wonderful tyre squeal noises as well so all good there to my ears.
Physics. The main one really for anyone buying a game on PC. It isn't marketed as a sim, and the devs will re-enforce that at the forums when people say it's not realistic. However, I think it does actually feel very nice. Perhaps not simulation in the true sense of the word but I think it is more realistic than so called sim-cade games. The cars feel weighty and heavy yet still maneuverable and fast, it feels sim like even if it isn't the class leader in sim physics. Outside of iRacing I haven't played a NASCAR game that feels this good to play with a wheel. Some people on the forums likening it to NR:Thunder but it's far better than that. It's fun without taking it down to the Grid 2 or Shift style of sim-cade racing. I am using a DFGT if you were wondering, the FFB is great and the wheel feels really solid and great to play with.
AI. I'm sure will improve. Eutechnyx are still quite new to the NASCAR game scene, this being their 3rd major release so I think part of the PC Beta is to understand what people want and I'm sure a good AI balance is one of the things. I haven't dabbled fully in the hardcore racing, just a couple of easy difficulty from the back races and they are easy to pass of course so I will give better views when I get used to it and crank up the difficulty.
Tracks. Tried out Darlington, Dover and Charlotte and all look beautiful, feel authentic, plenty going on and more importantly are remarkable in accuracy. iRacing uses laser scanning technology but Darlington on NTG2013 almost matches it. Obviously it won't be as accurate without being laser scanned but its very good indeed. Track accuracy may of course change from track to track.
I am yet to dive into career mode but I'm sure the basic structure is the same as in 2011 so most of you know how it works.
Is it worth buying? So far, yes. Even in beta stage it is a fun game to play and if you have been missing a NASCAR game on PC. You should be buying this right away and getting on the beta. Perhaps you could even help improve aspects.
If anyone who hasn't bought it or wants to know more before buying it in its current beta stage. Feel free to drop questions and I'll try to answer.
Video: I have had difficulty getting BandiCam to capture racing gameplay smoothly so here is a quick glance at the PC menu.
