I do like this game but with a few reservations.
Too often I feel like I'm playing a prettier NFS game, particularly when you're racing amongst traffic (God I hate those races - the number of times I've lost because of idiot traffic? And why do they change lane for no reason?). Too many of the single player races feel generic. The "Give a Lift", "Deliver Car" and "Hitch-Hiker" modes are kinda different and fun though.
The AI cars vary from harmless to psychotic, bouncing off walls and careering into traffic, which although fun at times often ends up with them getting away with it far more than you can hope for.
Making money, though not hard, is unbalanced. As a Rookie with an F car I can make £12,000 in 2 minutes racing. As an Amateur in an E car I might get £10,000 in nearly 3 minutes of racing (has anyone tried that Angel's Jump?
).
I'd have liked to have had a list of cars for sale at showrooms on the GPS or at home rather than having to look on the map and visit each showroom individually. And I didn't like traipsing around finding all the car chowrooms before having the right to buy a motorbike. And there's currently not enough bikes, though that may change with downloads.
The gearing doesn't feel right on many of the cars but as it's far more an arcade racer I'll let that slide.
The character animation is poor, but it's not really important. Still, as characters are in the game it would've been nice to have seen them better animated.
But that's about it. I do like the way it loooks. Pop-up is pretty low and the frame rate, though not perfect generally does well. Cars and bikes sound pretty good. I particularly like the Ducati 999 and the Lotus Exige.
I'd have loved to have been able to adjust car settings, even if it were just the gears. Maybe next time.
Anyway I'm off to thrash my Ducatti.
PS. Is it possible to save a replay? Or take a photo during one? I don't seem to see an option for it.
There's no Lexus dealership in mine...
My gamertag is Christiaan.
