NASCAR 08

"Reality Bites!"

NASCAR finally goes Next Gen, but with too many flaws....

Graphics: 9

This is simply where the game shines, the collision engine, car models, tracks etc. Everything looks just as you would hope on the XBOX 360. But thats where the good stuff ends.

Sound: 7

Ever been to a NASCAR Race? Outside of not having a beer belching redneck to your left and right, it would be really hard to mess this part of the game up. Radio chatter, engine noise, the crowd and collisions all sound as they should.

Gameplay: 4

The Chase mode offers the chance to complete license tests that unlock offers from RCR, Joe Gibbs, Hendricks etc. to complete portions of the season for these teams and earn rewards for your garage. Season mode is simply that, a full racing season with one team. The online is also quite frustrating. Too many glitches and too many ways to cheat. The lack of options and a true career mode keep this area from getting real solid marks.

Controls: 3

Heres where it gets nasty. This part of the Game will have you controller throwing in minutes as the learning curve is now much too steep. It is way too difficult to keep your car pointed straight and more often than not you will find yourself fighting against your own car rather than the other 42 on the track. In order to get a good feel for the controls one has to get real comfortable with easing on and off the accelerator at all times or else you will end up with your car pointing the opposite direction more times than not. (This can happen way too often, drastically killing the fun factor.)

Replay Value: 5

If you can force yourself to finish a single season and then race another then Kudos to you! You are among an elite group of people as the numbers of gamers to actually have the patience to finish a single season will be few and far between.

Overall Rating: 6

You have to be a hardcore NASCAR fan or a major gear head to really get $60 out of this game. While EA finally hits racing on an ultra realistic level they really need to find a happy medium between reality and arcade. Good looks and ultra realism are not enough to out weigh the poor controls and physics and frustrating gameplay. Sadly no matter how much I was looking forward to the release of NASCAR 08 for my 360 I can't even recommend this as a rental.

Reviewer's Score: 6/10, Originally Posted: 08/31/07

Game Release: NASCAR 08 (US, 07/23/07)