Nascar 07
SCORE: 87
Electronic Arts is the monolith of sports video games. I am not completely convinced that driving a car around a track is a sport. Don’t get me wrong, it is challenging, but a sport? Nascar 07 on the Playstation 2 (PS2), and Xbox consoles is a Nascar fans dream come true. Players can drive with confidence as they build up an all new Momentum Meter by surviving the most dangerous situations to improve handling, and speed. There are plenty of adjustments the player can make to the car to tweak it out to handle just the way they like it. Each of the drivers are rated, from the rookies to the veterans. This game also allows players to gamble on the races, and use their winnings to significantly upgrade their cars. Fight to the Top simulates the life of a NASCAR driver trying to get contracts to be the best in the business.
Graphically Nascar 07 surprised me. It is very pretty to look at, and the first few minutes of Fight to the Top were a pleasant surprise indeed (editor: DVD movie clip greets the player in that mode). The advertisements are well displayed on the cars, and even the menu screens of the game (Dodge anyone). The graphics also do a really good job of simulating the speed of 190mph. There are car crashes, and it is pretty easy to spin other cars out. The cars also show the damages of accidents, and that affects how the car drives.
The music is very country to rock, which fits with the sport, and the majority of the fans. Just like Madden 07, the songs can be turned off if you find any of the lyrics offensive. A few of the songs bothered me, so I wound up turning them all off. The sounds of the cars, especially the shifting is actually more interesting to me. The game will encourage the player to race clean, and that is a real good thing to see. The pit crew also explains to a player there will be a price to pay for hurting other drivers.
Electronic Arts has done a really good job with the extras, and replay value in this game. If you are into NASCAR, or realistic racing, then certainly give this one a look. There are plenty of modes, race tracks, vehicles, drivers, and features to keep the player busy for months. Two players can play at the same time, or internet play is available as well. In my opinion this game is worth your hard earned dollars, if you are into NASCAR. I did enjoy this game, but am not into racing a whole lot.
I had some trouble with the controls in Nascar 07. I let some others at Family Friendly Gaming try it, and they were usually okay. So there is some control issues going on. The race tracks look like their real life counterparts (which is important to a game that is replicating a sport). The control design was good, and I did have fun playing this game. Well, I had fun when it was controlling properly for me.
It is very encouraging to me to see
a game that instructs the player to play fair, do the right thing, and
receive discipline for doing the wrong thing. Nascar 07 does this in
spades. I really wish more video games followed this trend. This game is
safe for the entire family. I would love a sequel to this game,
especially if the control issues can be tweaked better next year. Maybe
a version on the Nintendo Wii would have some nice controls.
- Frank
Graphics: 88%
Sound: 89%
Replay/Extras: 94%
Gameplay: 79%
Family Friendly Factor: 85%
System: Playstation
2/Xbox
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Rating: 'E' for Everyone
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