A review by a true NASCAR fan!
User Rating: 7 | NASCAR 07 PS2
I have been playing EA Sports' NASCAR games ever since their beginning in 1998. I own nearly every copy from that year, and I have played every game of theirs since 1998 AND games from other companys like papyrus and Infogrames. This year's EA Sports game, NASCAR 07, is going to be the best and the worst NASCAR game that you have ever played. Unlike it's predecessors, the physics in this game have finally been tweeked to where you can drive the car very aggresively and you don't to spend hours of frustration trying to get the car handling properly. In past games the cars seemed to handle very well at Dega, Daytona, and Bristol, but would be insanely loose or tight at just about every other track. This years game is much different in which you can make your car handle like a dream at just about any truck with very minor adjustments (tire pressure will be the most helpful, with wedge coming in second). The game also has had a graphics update, which is contrary to what many reviewers say (including the one here on gamespot). There is a blur effect, which some hate and some love, that makes the speeds look faster and I must say that after getting used to it I feel as if the cars are going faster, at least compared to games of the past. Also, the lighting has been messed around with so that things seem more clear and more realistic. However, Daytona has an issue with the sun RISING above turn 4 in which the light of the sky and on the track would not match where the sun is. Now, for the down sides of this game. First off, Carl Edwards, Clint Bowyer and Ken Schrader (as well as a few others) are missing from this game. This is odd since they all of an EA Sports contigency sticker on their car (as far as I know). These drivers have also gotten top ten finishes this year and Carl Edwards competed for the Chase for the Cup last year, so their absence definately hurts this game. Also, there are hardly ANY alternative paint schemes available. There is not a dale jr tribute scheme, no alternate schemes for Harvick, J. Gordon, Johnson, Kurth Busch, as well as many others. This is also a huge disappointment. The create a car is still incredibly dated. There are schemes still in there that appeared in Thunder 2002, and there really are not many new schemes, if any. Also, it takes forever to scroll through the different sponors for the cars so there will be a ton of waiting. The online mode is pretty flawed as well. There is usually a case of lag on each race unless you host a race. Much of the time the computer cars lag to where you are actually hitting them when on the screen it looks like you are a few feet from their rear bumper, which takes some getting used to. Also, it is quite hard to join in on a race. 90% of the time it will say that you have been kicked from the session or there was a failure to connect. Plus, there are some on there that cheat (user: Ilovekitten) where you could win a race but still be rewarded with a loss. Also, if a host gets mad and disconnects, no matter how well you are doing, you will be given a loss and a DNF. Last but not least, this game is WAY too easy. It might be challenging to beginners, but for anyone that has played a previous NASCAR game and racked up some experience you will soon find this game poses little challenge unless you are playing online (which as you just read is quite flawed). I think out of about 30 races, I have won 25 or so, ON legend mode, with no assists, and pit stops are on. Ultimately, this game is a ton of fun compared to past games due to the new handling physics. However, even though there are a few improvements (which are HUGE improvements by my standards), EA has still found a way to fall short and disappoint many of the NASCAR gamers who look forward to buying a new game all year long.
I highly recommend this game, but if you can't play against someone who's not a computer player, I definately think you should rent it first.
