NASCAR 09

TCrouch · Post by **TCrouch** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 6:54 pm

Yeah, it's got a lot of sim qualities, and I'll say it's every bit as good as my previous favorite NASCAR title on a console, NASCAR Heat on XBox. Much better, even. Now that the handling model is predictable...meaning I can feel the car start to get loose or push, and know what's going to happen instead of some archaic "hit X MPH in the corner and you go into a full 4-wheel slide" model. I can actually feel the tires going away, and purposely driving carefully at a Michigan race last night, I was able to let a few AI cars by me, and dropped back to about 7th. By the end of the run I had a 4 second lead, as their tires had fallen off and mine didn't. It's amazing how deep it gets the more I play it.

The most impressive thing, though, was a setup at Atlanta. By default, it was skittish and bouncing all over. I softened the front shocks a bit. Bounce disappeared, but car pushed. So I decreased front sway bar...car pushed a little less. Moved the weight back, turned a couple laps, and it couldn't get off the corner. Increased the LF tire pressure and decreased the RR tire pressure, and suddenly I had an EXTREMELY smooth-handling car. No more jitters, no more bounces...just a smooth ride around the track at a very comfortable 29.0 second range. It's not the speed demon that some guys are turning online in the 28's and crap, but it is smooth and believable. Small adjustments do exactly what they're supposed to do, and you don't have to go off the deep end with tweaking something to get results.

I couldn't be more pleased with a console racer.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 7:03 pm

How about some of you Picasso's sharing your work with us non Picasso types.

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 8:54 pm

Rodster wrote:How about some of you Picasso's sharing your work with us non Picasso types.

thats what I say too. Someone make lightning mcqueen.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 9:23 pm

Can one of you creative geniuses do this car for me? It's the Silver and Black Bacardi.

http://www.masgrafx.com/masgrafxracing/ ... ad&sid=284

greggsand · Post by **greggsand** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 10:09 pm

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/881/881704p1.html

IGN review: 6.5

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 10:15 pm

How many other genres would get this as the opening line to a review? It tells me about everything I need to know about the value of IGN's opinion.

To me, the sport of NASCAR is a bit like classic Russian literature. I respect it, but I don't really claim to understand it.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 10:21 pm

This version is worthy of a 8.0 and the only thing holding it back is a killer career mode like in Nascar 05 and the Whelen series.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 10:31 pm

Give yourself some credit Teal--that's some nice work on that car!

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 11:04 pm

Teal:

Your truck looks really nice, man. Pat yourself on the back!

Take care,
PK

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 12:41 am

Well, thanks fellas. I guess it feels like crap because it took me so long to understand any part of the paint program. I hate reading manuals, so I'm stuck just fiddling around until I figure stuff out.

I'll try to work on some of the aforementioned cars when I can-I really loved doing it in Forza, and this one should be no exception. I'll post 'em when I get 'em.

And IGN? Full of s*** when it comes to anything sports related. They're hacks. I wouldn't even bother posting their useless score in a real gaming forum...

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 1:03 am

ok i guess i might not be doing something right.

So I made my profile on EA, made a car, just for testing, and then when I go back to the game, my car isn't there? How does the game track the car on the EA page? Do I have to tie it in with my xbl gamertag? Too bad I am pure s*** with art, but I will try to make a sega dreamcast car as a test run.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 8:44 am

Teal wrote:And IGN? Full of s*** when it comes to anything sports related. They're hacks. I wouldn't even bother posting their useless score in a real gaming forum...

They may be hacks and their scores are generally meaningless, but there were quite a few things in that review that I did agree with. There are probably some casual racing fans that read or lurk here that should read the review before buying IMO. Even the score is pretty close to what I would give it if I was reviewing it for a general gaming website not catering to the hardcore simulation crowd. It's a 7.5 game at best if you look at the entire package for the general gaming public.

I think the actual racing is a lot of fun on the hardest difficulty level with all the assists off. I feel like I will get my $50 worth. I'm not going to go into much detail because I've learned that posting negative comments here is routinely discouraged, but I will say NASCAR 09 generally lacks the kind of polish, options, and presentation that you would expect from a game on a system that is several years old.

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 8:54 am

Leebo33 wrote: I'm not going to go into much detail because I've learned that posting negative comments here is routinely discouraged, but I will say NASCAR 09 generally lacks the kind of polish, options, and presentation that you would expect from a game on a system that is several years old.

I'm always interested in all opinions, positive and negative, especially about a game I'm considering for purchase, as I am with this one. Please shoot me a PM if you don't want to elaborate here. Thanks!

I hope to rent it soon!

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 9:26 am

Anyone else having problems uploading cars? I haven't been able to upload one since I started trying last night.

*edit*

Once I went through EA Sports World (instead of the NASCAR 09 site) to upload, I was able to upload. Damn fun feature, now I just want to keep designing cars!

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 11:29 am

Web, you have a PM.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 12:04 pm

Leebo33 wrote:I'm not going to go into much detail because I've learned that posting negative comments here is routinely discouraged

I don't think negative comments are discouraged around here at all. I do think harping on those negative comments is. Nobody here minds when somebody voices a negative opinion but I think they do when somebody continues to voice the same negative comments in an otherwise positive thread. Seriously, if somebody remains negative on a game but brings something to the discussion this community would encourage it. It's only when somebody says "Well point A is broken" and then comes back in the thread after some positive talk and says "Well point A is still broken" and then come back yet again to say "Point A is still broken" that people don't like.

I wish you would feel free to share your thoughts with all of us regarding this game, I know I'd love to hear them. I'm not a big Nascar guy but had some fun with the demo and a wheel. I'm thinking of picking this game up but haven't decided yet. I'd like to hear what you consider to be negative points to see if they are things that would bother me. I'm not a hardcore sim racing fan so things that would bother a sim-head might not bother me. Please share.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 12:47 pm

ScoopBrady wrote:
I wish you would feel free to share your thoughts with all of us regarding this game, I know I'd love to hear them. I'm not a big Nascar guy but had some fun with the demo and a wheel. I'm thinking of picking this game up but haven't decided yet. I'd like to hear what you consider to be negative points to see if they are things that would bother me. I'm not a hardcore sim racing fan so things that would bother a sim-head might not bother me. Please share.

I second that...Im in exactly the same boat.

mixdj1 · Post by **mixdj1** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 1:15 pm

I'm on the fence about picking this up as well. I welcome all feedback on the game, both positive and negative.

Basically I love sim style racing games but I'm not a huge oval fan. If the game is that great that even guys that like to turn right can enjoy it then I'll probably pick it up. That being said, for it to be worth it to me it either needs to have AI that are fun to race (looking at you, GRID) or a solid DSP following. Robotic AI on an oval just doesn't do anything for me.

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 1:27 pm

I don't mind detractors, provided they have some knowledge of what they're talking about. Generally speaking, IGN doesn't know their asshole from their elbow when it comes to games of this type. The guy shows his lack of credibility in the very first sentence, and therefore, in my opinion, his authority to weigh in on the subject. But he does, anyway, and, in typical IGN fashion, does so dismissively, as, again, has always been the case with their coverage of things like NASCAR.

Detractors in here who are sports guys, like you, leebo, don't bother me. That's fine. But when the dude reviewing the game would rather be playing Wild Arms or Halo, that review is going to suck and be worthless. It's akin to someone starting their review of a popular action flick by saying, 'Now I'm not a fan of action flicks'. If they aren't, I see no reason for them to have anything to say.

I'll read IGN's reviews on things it knows something about. This is not one of those subjects. That being said, as web stated already, please feel free to post, positively or otherwise. An 'impressions' thread isn't of much use without the full spectrum of impressions...right?

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 1:53 pm

It's a shame that the IGN reviewer does start off poorly because I actually agree with several of his points and the overall evaluation. In particular:

"Like most of NASCAR 09, getting a caution flag – even a yellow – is an exercise in the mundane. Pitting is also boring, as there are no mini-games or quick-time events to keep things interesting."

"As with NASCAR 08, there are no team dynamics this time around – you'll be racing in a vacuum except for the disembodied voice of your spotter, who is helpful on the turns but gives terrible advice. Even if I had just pitted moments ago, he nearly always suggested I pit on a caution lap, regardless of my car's condition."

"The crashes are unspectacular and the collision physics at times border on the ridiculous. For many NASCAR fans and casual observers, the crashes are part of the draw and little of that excitement is present in NASCAR 09. Most collisions are preceded by slight slowdown, which sucks the drama out of the moment of impact, and the game seems designed to discourage wrecks."

"There are other missing details and disappointing exclusions – you can drive through cars on pit road during practice runs; the replay mode only records a few of your laps; the AI drivers rarely spin out or crash unless you're involved; and your career seasons end with little fanfare."

"no split-screen"

"Most hardcore NASCAR fans will just be happy that there’s a new game version of their favorite sport, and we can report that it functions reasonably well as such. But to the general gaming public, even those of us who really love racing games, there’s nothing special about this one. NASCAR 09 comes across less as a tribute to the drama, intensity and flair of one of America’s favorite sports, and more as a delivery system for advertising."

The funny thing is I'm really enjoying a game. Not because I'm less picky as a gamer but more because I've really lowered my standards. It's a shame that I'm pretty much just satisfied the game isn't a mess like last year. It's pitiful when I've lowered my standards so low that I'm willing to settle for AI cars that pit on the *last turn* at Atlanta essentially giving me two spots but am just happy that I could *get* to the end of a race without being steamrolled.

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 2:13 pm

Well, the crashes are a helluva lot better than they have been in the past, the driving model is wonderful (IMO), I love the little minigames, love the paint possibilities, love the new little touches. I don't mind that you can't hit cars sitting on pit road-it eliminates at least one potential frustration. I think they did it on purpose. They include way more laps than they have in the past, as well, of replay. I, myself, don't care to see the WHOLE DANG RACE I just ran, anyway...

So I can see what some of it is they're saying, but then...I don't see it. Guess that's why people have opinions AND assholes...

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 2:47 pm

i can't do this art stuff. I think I will just wait and see what ppl put out there.

As for the game, if you liked NASCAR05, you will love this game. Graphics, damage to cars, all that are great. And if you don't want to tweak stuff and just want to race, it's fun.

I haven't played GRID, and when Jackb told me that it was like PGR, a game i really didnt like, I didnt want to touch it. So I think this game isn't like GRID if you like that.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 2:56 pm

Teal wrote:the driving model is wonderful (IMO)

I think the best thing about the driving model is that they made it really easy. I generally suck at racing games. This is the first time I've ever played a racing game with all the assists off...it's a real confidence booster

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 3:02 pm

Some notes after playing last night and this morning:

I really wish the AI cars would cause more crashes--at least they do it every once in a while, but it just doesn't feel like it is enough, especially at a place like Richmond. Speaking of crashes, I agree with IGN, not enough damage during a wreck.

Speaking of Richmond...

Now THAT is a damn fun track. I took off to an early lead and left Harvick in my dust. All of a sudden, Denny Hamlin comes storming to the front and is around me in a hurry. But the track has multiple lines, you can really throw the car around, and the racing is intense if you're driving in traffic.

That's the kind of thing I'm really enjoying about the AI, the back-to-front and front-to-back runs during a race, whether it is Hamlin coming forward or Gilliland falling back after a strong qualifying run.

I wish the 'ticker' at the top of the pause screen was there during the race. The little board at the top is OK, but not nearly informative enough.

Even though there are only two non-Cup tracks, they picked the top two on my list, Milwaukee and O'Reilly (Indianapolis) Raceway Park.

The pre-set "rookie" and "veteran" (I think that's what they are) setups seem to be solid. The default rookie setup has plenty of understeer dialed in while the veteran setup definitely trims the car out and loosens it up.

I've already finished more races in NASCAR 09 than I did during the last 11 months with 08.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 4:28 pm

I discovered a cheat code. Type WALMART EVERYDAY and it unlocks the Walmart 101 Car and the Walmart Track.

If you guys find any other cheat codes post them here.