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Year after year NASCAR fans eagerly await a new version of their favorite racing sim. I guess it's the joy of role-playing as one of their favorite drivers from the circuit, or possibly trying to live the squashed reality of never racing in a real tournament. Whatever the case, these folks are fickle to the bone, and EA has yet to disappoint overall. The sad truth is for the rest of us, something is always lacking each year, be it graphically or whatever, and EA really has never captured a NASCAR game for us regular guys, with maybe the exception of NASCAR Rumble. (Fun stuff) This year tells the same tale of failed glory in capturing the casual racer. Graphically this is EA's finest achievement to date. Seeming to represent a low-res version of the upcoming PS2 version, some visuals really stand out in this title. The biggest improvement has to be the real-time lighting EA has captured on this 5-year-old system. Not only do you see the sun in the sky (not lens flaring) and wonderful nighttime lights, but also they reflect and fill the arenas realistically! The first time I saw this, I was in total awe! Other nice features are added detail to collisions, track wear, and even a shaky cockpit view for those who want to simulate the inside of an actual NASCAR vehicle.
Sound this year is about the same as last year's version. Added crowd noise is noticed, along with some awful tunes to drive by, but for the most part nothing was changed in the audio department. It's the control, which has taken the biggest hit this year. While controlling your car off the starting line is fine, it's when you reach high speeds that we have a problem, Houston. Your car swings, sways, swaggers, and to use a loose "s" word sucks in the control department. Nothing is more discouraging then having an insurmountable lead, then having it lost by some freak of nature, as your car rocks back and fourth out of control and into a wall. While I make the control sound to be just god awful, I don't mean to. Like I mentioned, straight always are cool, but turns are a nightmare, 'nuff said. EA's bright and shiny star each year, no matter what sport you may play, is options. From car customization to create-a-player, it's all here in true EA Sports "It's in the Game" fashion. If it wasn't for the control issues, NASCAR 2001 would've have been a nice purchase for any racing fan, but with things the way they are, Nascar fans only please. One can only hope that the PS2 version controls better.
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