Beautiful cars, but lacks depth.
The game has two essential modes: Season play and Events List. The Events List is simply every race in every category laid out in a grid, and races become available as you gain new cars.
Season Play is simply the Events List plugged into a calendar that includes a Championship Series wrapper. After seeing the rave reviews of this game, this was a big surprise to me. I expected something similar to a "Franchise Mode" in Madden NFL or something of the sort. I was hoping that you could work a career as a race car driver and get a good sense of the struggles, challenges and disappointments that a real car driver goes through. A career is dominated by the need to win sponsorships, manage cash, gain experience and prestige and ultimately stand out on top. It would be interesting to work your way up through the ranks of the European, Asian and American circuits in this way.
To illustrate what I'm talking about, look up this excellent article in European Car magazine:
" So You Wanna Be A Race Car Driver It ain't easy, and it sure as hell ain't cheap By Ryan Lee Price"
http://www.europeancarweb.com/features/0604ec_race_car_driver/index.html
Nothing of this caliber exists in the game. All it provides is a monotonous series of races - each rather easy to win - and an endless piling up of experience points for both you and your cars. There are no sponsors to win, no racing teams to court, no money to manage - not even any television announcers at the races.
Without a doubt, the driving experience in this game is unmatched in any other racing sim. It's realism is astounding. But, all in all, this game is an excellent driving game only. If you're looking for some real depth - what I would consider a real racing simulation - it has the potential, but it doesn't quite get there in this version.