Different Experience!

After playing Nascar Thunder 2003 I was pretty impressed on how much the game had progressed since earlier editions. I really enjoyed the career mode, it added much needed depth to the game. It was challenging, but also fun to spend some time playing it. I was expecting the new edition to add some more depth and better features to the game. It did impress me, and it is a game that will only continue to become more realistic. At the same time it might hurt the game in regards to those who aren't driving experts, or those who are looking for some fast paced action with fair A.I. competitors who don't slam you into the wall for not breaking fast enough behind them. I'll point out that the great new qualities about this game are 1. Better graphics/realistic racing environment. 2. The friend or foe memory is a nice adjustment. 3. Career mode is deeper and more adjustable then ever Now those aspects deserve a 5.0 rating, but there are minor details that might need to be addressed before next year's version comes out. 1. The steering is a bit too sensitive in many situations, causing mutiple crashes for those not really experienced in Nascar driving games. 2. For fairly new players of the game the friend or foe aspect can really take fun out of the game, because it seems the entire race field is against you by the third or fourth race due to mutiple crashes and bumping of cars that result from the cars in front slamming on their brakes at multiple turns. 3. Your car will be swiss cheese by the 5th race if you can't control these new features of the game, and alot of people I have observed can't. Hence, career mode is too difficult for them, since their car will be running about as smooth as a suped up minivan. So except for those little issues that are mentioned above, the game is on track to be the best in its field for years to come. Beginners beware, and veterans have at it!