Bad reviews seem to be written based on a person’s inability to play the game…
Gameplay (9): Personally I find the gameplay to be quite satisfactory. Yes it is hard but ever since EA received an exclusive contract with NASCAR the gaming community faithful have been screaming for them to create a game that is more like a simulation then an arcade game. I believe NASCAR delivered the goods in NASCAR 08 and some gamers aren’t too happy with it. I own a large selection of racing games for both the PC and the console, along with some pretty decent hardware and this game just feels like driving did when I went to the Richard Petty Driving Experience. I think there are a lot of gamers in the racing community that consider themselves ‘expert’ drivers that are struggling with this… well welcome to the real world of auto racing. Graphics (8): I like the graphics but they do pale in comparison to FM2. The tri-ovals in FM2 were just amazing and I had hoped that NASCAR 08 would be the same. But the graphics are a step up and they do look very nice. Just for reference I am running on a 42” HDTV at 720p.
Sound (7): The engine sounds are great, best I’ve heard for a game other then the custom ones I’ve downloaded for NSR2003 from Blackhole. But I’m not too thrilled with the spotter. He is either real lazy and tells me nothing or he tells me to much of the same thing. Plus I can barely hear the spotter at times.
Value (9): I’ll be able to replay this time and time again. Yes the Fight to the Top mode is gone and I kind of miss it and kind of don’t. Not all drivers start in Wheelen or Craftsman Truck and work their way up… that should be an option not a requirement. I just like playing season after season trying to win the Cup year after year. I would like a ‘Dynasty’ mode like in other EA Sports games such as Madden and NCAA Football.
Reviewer’s Tilt (10): It is NASCAR and I love NASCAR, have for about 30 years. It is the first installment in the 360 arena and I hope they keep building on it. A word of caution to everyone… complain enough and you may not see another NASCAR game on the 360. People complained so much about NSR that EA pulled the plug on the project. No one likes being given that much grief.
To me the bottom-line is the game is great. It plays great, it’s difficult enough to make me sit on the edge of the chair and I’ll play for a long time. If you think I’m nuts for liking it… well I think your nuts for not liking it.