IndyCar Series

"A Racing Game With Real Racing In It? Its A Shocker!"

IndyCar Series is a gem of a game that takes on the licence of the IRL, which is a racing league that is based in America on which cars race around a series of oval tracks at breakneck speeds. With the continuous outpour of over polished and underdeveloped F1 games flowing out of your ears, this title takes a refreshing stance on the genre of racing.
First and foremost there are no “tracks” as you would know them; there are ovals. As a driver you race constantly going around in circles turning left at every corner. At first you may find this boring but the way how these real life racing bowls are created means a single mistake and you’ll find yourself at the scene of a nasty looking (and enjoyable to watch) accident for the track is enclosed in hard concrete barriers. Add to the mix that between 23 and 33 drivers will be on the racetrack at once and that you’ll be travelling at 200mph and soon the prospect of going around in circles to oblivion fades away very quickly.
From the outset of the game you are given the usual options, quick race, championship and to ability to race to Indy 500. Opting for the championship gives you the best value for money, as you’ll race over 15 events (14 tracks as one has a day and night race) for the trophy and all the hidden away extras that make you come back for more. Each event begins with a qualifying session giving you 2 laps to get the fastest average speed for your grid position. Come race day your ready for a rolling start into what is the fastest game in town.
The biggest thing that sets this game apart is that you really DO race, and that’s what makes this game exciting. Sometimes you’ll be 3 or 4 cars abreast going into a corner knowing there is only 1 quick line and only enough room for 2 on the exit. If you make the decision to decelerate you’ll be out dragged and overtaken by several cars behind, but if you make the wrong decision and keep your foot to the floor you could just as equally end up clipping someone and spinning into the wall and either retiring there or limping back to pits for repairs thus dropping you out of contention. The great thing is that the AI of the opponents are so realistic they’ll try to slipstream passed you, try will battle and cause accident amongst themselves and will make the race come alive.
There is one final thing that also makes this game tactical and that’s fuel. You can throughout the race adjust how fast your fuel rate is pumped into your car and thus save fuel at the expense of some speed. When the course is under yellow flags and the cars must circulate slowly, conserving fuel is the name of the game as is all falls to place it could mean making a pit stop less than scheduled.
The graphics also hold up on their own, with not one piece of slowdown even when 33 cars are flying round the track and the controls are easy to pick and play with but suffers ever so slightly with being pressure sensitive if you want to go absolutely at top speed.
IndyCar Series is a refreshing racer and if you can put behind your “only turn left” prejudice, you will be having hours of fun.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 10/07/03