We’ve waited a long time for Project Cars. Numerous delays have only sought to whet our appetite for a semi-serious racing game that we could devote too many hours of our free time to.
And now it’s here. There are two things that immediately strike you when you play Project Cars for the first time. One is the graphics: they are very good. The second is that it’s an open game. Once you pass the initial introduction race, the game is completely accessible. No earning licences or having to work your way through dozens of boring races to unlock the good ones. It’s all there for you to enjoy.
Back to those graphics. Slightly Mad Studios have managed to pack in some seriously lovely car models into equally impressive environments. After only a few seconds of racing, you forget where you are and are completely immersed. The cars look fantastic, movements are faultless and the joy of racing is there for all to enjoy.
Car AI is always a troubled element of any racing game. The cars are either dumb, too prone to rubber banding or too good to overtake. Fortunately, that’s something Project Cars gets right. The game offers a challenge without beating you so easily that you give up. It’s a good balance.
Tracks and cars are impressive in their variety, depth and graphical representation. Many are versions of the real thing and are instantly recognisable as such. Some are made up but are no less engaging.
The one thing that makes Project Cars stand out is the weather. Many racing games have rendered weather with varying degrees of success, but not like this. If it rains, handling is affected. If the sun is shining, you almost roll up your sleeves as you start the race. It’s a relatively minor thing but adds to the immersion in a real way.
Project Cars isn’t without its annoyances though. Handling needs evening out. One car on a track sticks to the road like glue. Drive another car on the track and you’re all over the place. The menu system makes following a career and navigating more work than it should be. All should have been fixed before release.
Despite glitches, Project Cars is a solid game. It’s a good game that could be great once those annoyances are ironed out.
Jesmond Darmanin is a technology enthusiast who blogs at www.itnewsblog.com.