The best Racer on the ps3 yet, if not, the best Yet !
Racedriver is a series that existed long before GRID or DIRT, they're actually by codemaster and the first series if i'm not from was Toca Racedriver. That game, is a total simulation racer, i've tried the demo with my G25 but sadly, i already had GTR2 to tide me over during my purchase of G25 period.
Alright getting down to the review, this game is Fun, Simulating and looks stunning. It's worth it's full price tag, even though having bought MGS4, i still played GRID during my MGS4 breaks, it really tells u how good it is and the temptation to not just own it but pay it all the while.
Graphics: One word to describe, Stunning ! If you think GT5P was photorealistic, then this game is as well. The graphics i felt was a little better than GT5P, due to the larger details on screen.
Full Damage model is here as well, you even have the replay mode with slow-motion to convince urself how stunning the crash model looks. Slow-downs wise, there isn't any, but maybe a little lag here and there during scenes where they showed ur Sponsors payments, but thats all. The racing itself is lag-free at a steady framerate regardless if it's 1 or 15 cars on ur screen.
Gameplay: You do know how great Toca racerdriver 3 plays, GRID is better and more refined.
The controls will seems a little loose when u start, and this is the reason why i judge it has a simulation rather than a arcade racer, an arcade racer doesn't really matters on the tires physics but this game does, if u play with no assists, a player like me who has clocked more than 80 hours on GTR2 had difficult at the start,
Crash engine here is great, it acts well, looks well and makes the handling realistic as well. Some knock will be deadly resulting in a flashback or restart, while some will have ur wheel knock-down and left ur car steering sideways, Coupled with the sounds of ur missing-wheel screetching, it's just feels so realistic and u know what's happening when on cockpit.
The flashbacks aren't as gimmick as i first though, it's actually chances for u to redo ur turns and avoid the mistakes you made. The higher the difficulty, the lesser the flashbacks.
All in-all, the physics wise to me is simulation coupled with arcady gimmicks like flashbacks makes this game fun. Whether u wan to play it simulation or a little arcade taste, it lies in it's assist settings.
And unlike other racers, it doesn't focus on getting first place, getting 3rd or 5th is just fine, u get awarded for completing the race, getting sponsor money more if u do better of course.
Sound: Wonderful, like i mentioned, if ur wheel's missing you can heard the metal screetching on the floor. The bass is great, overall it sounds accurate. Notice when u look to the back it sounds less-loud, it's during to the slower sound travelling if u are wondering. something negative i have to mention is the engine sounds, there isn't a whole lot variety like in GT5P, some ppl chose to decide otherwise though.
As a whole, this game is the best yet, as a simulation or an arcade-fun racer. If you like racing, this game u have u like racing more. The details and graphics on screen is just stunning. Nothing's done wrong here with the game. So if ur still wondering if it's worth the bucks, definately, i prefer this over MGS4 if u asked me. GT5 prolly won't overtake this when it comes out.