sportster's Full Review: NASCAR 2001 for PlayStation 2
Having played this series every year since 1998, I couldn't wait to see the green flag drop for the PS2 version of this game. After all, NASCAR 2001(PSX)was easily the best of the series. I figured the next-generation system's version would be even better. Well, let's go to the track and find out.
EA Sports definitely qualifies on the pole with the graphics. This is easily the best looking NASCAR game I've seen to date! And that includes Sierra's excellent PC games. Everything is crisp and detailed. There is no noticeable slowdown during game play. Let's talk about the cars first.
Excellent, current(at least to the end of the 2000 season)paint schemes, and driver visible in the car. The cars cast realistic shadows on the track, and reflections shine off their glossy finishes. As races progress, damage becomes visible(amazingly, the car looks new after pit stops). Sparks and smoke can be clearly seen during encounters with other drivers, or the retaining wall(Darlington Stripe anyone?).
The tracks receive a face lift as well. They've given a kind of texture to the pavement. This really gives the impression of speed. Everything here is well detailed, like the various advertisements along the wall. Some of the best effects? The glass on the main grandstand at Lowe's Speedway(Charlotte). Or check out the night race at Daytona(Pepsi 400), not only are the lighting effects great, but the realistic looking moon over turns 1 and 2 is a cool sight as well.
One place where the graphics could use some work is the animated pit stops. Your crew members will look kind of blocky, almost like a combination of geometric shapes. Too bad they weren't given the same attention as the cars. At least you'll only see them(if you're lucky)4 or 5 times per race.
The post-race highlight reel is back and, as you can imagine, it too benefits from the improved graphics. These replays of your car's key moments in the race look almost real. I wonder though, if you go pole to pole, what will they show?
While the graphics put the game on the pole, the other areas of the game quickly drop it out of lead group. I'll start with the options. The create a driver feature is nowhere near as deep as the one found in the PSX game. There you not only named your driver and picked your car, you also had a pretty good paint shop. Here you can only choose from a few cars. In fact, this is clearly the create a driver set-up from the NASCAR 2000 title.
There's less to do in the garage as well. Weight jacking is over-simplified. Now you can only set up for speed or acceleration. No more being able to adjust the bias to left and rear individually. Most of the other set-ups are less adjustable, but only slightly less.
As far as other options go it's pretty much the same as the PSX version. You have Single Race and Season modes. The season can consist of either a full season(one race at each track, two at some), or track packs(there are three available). Single race is just what it says. Pick your car and track, set the options, and race.
Players can choose to race in Arcade mode(basically a 180MPH demolition derby), or for NASCAR enthusiasts, Simulation. Sim mode is where car set-ups come into play. In arcade you'll only have a choice from three provided set-ups.
The game allows players to set the length of the race, from 3 to 100%. With most races being around 500 miles(some less, one 600), I doubt any one except hard-core fans will opt for a full race. Damage can be set to Full, Limited, or turned off completely. Yellow flags turned off and on, as well as breakdowns. Breakdowns only occur when a car takes too much damage. No more mechanical failures, which were found in the PSX version.
Sound wise the game stays the same. Bob Jenkins and Benny Parsons return to the booth. They do an acceptable job, even if the commentary does get rather repetitious. The spotter/crew chief returns as well. They'll give you information about things like tire wear, fuel status, and damage. They also inform you of the position of other cars around you(car high, cars on both sides).
Sound effects mostly consist of engine sounds and that lovely grating noise you hear as you scrape the wall for the umpteenth time(more later). The crowd(over 100,000 at some races)is once again strangely quiet until the last lap. What, is everyone too busy staring at Brooke Gordon to watch the race?
I can't comment too much on the music, as I prefer to play without it. From what I've heard it's your standard hard driving tunes. Guess it's up to the individual gamer to decide whether or not they like it on or off.
All sounds can be turned on and off, or volumes raised and lowered, individually. So you can control the audio experience to suit your own tastes.
OK, now for gameplay and control. The control set-up remains true to it's PSX roots. There are a few different button set-ups available, so gamers can choose the one that feels most comfortable to them. You have the usual accelerate, brake, toggle view, and reverse buttons. The shoulder pads(at least in the configuration I use)function as the damage check, rear view mirror, and shift lever(if you use a manual transmission). Use either the D-pad or stick for your steering control.
The controls work well enough, although the brakes don't seem to slow you down all that much. Especially when you're trying to get into the pits! Otherwise there's not much wrong here.
Actual gameplay will vary on your experience with the game. Don't be surprised to find yourself in the wall quite often until you get the hang it. While they fixed the un-realistic drafting effect in the PSX version, it seems to be back in this game. Trying to draft will more often than not sling shot your ride to the wall in corners.
That aside, the game does play rather realistically. The racing lines the drivers use in real life seem to work here as well. EA has finally incorporated double file pace laps and restarts into the game for even more realism. The CPU drivers act(and react)in a more life like way too. They don't drive down on you in corners when you have position the way they did in past games. Bump draft Earnhardt, and he'll remember it(which your spotter will inform you).
One improvement I'd like to see would be a braking assist, like the one found in Sierra's PC games(also found in their PSX title). While experienced players probably won't need it, it would go a long way in helping new players get into the game. True, there are three levels of play here(rookie, veteran, and legend), but these levels only control the strength of CPU drivers. A braking assist would help players learn the tracks, and the game, quicker and more enjoyably.
Load screens bear mentioning. Every time you go from garage to track(set-up, to practice, to qualify, etc.)you get a load screen. Although it's not a long screen, it can get annoying if you're trying to fine tune your race package.
If you own both systems and have the PSX version of this game, you've got the better game. This one might be worth a rental just to check out the graphics. If you haven't got the other version, or the PS2 is your only system, then by all means check it out. It's not a bad game. Just not a great one.
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