NASCAR Heat Evolution Available, Post Your Impressions Here

[buziii]

Quote: Originally Posted by JMD

In career mode A.I. on easy I always qualify 40th and end up finishing in the high 20's or low 30's. I think I'm going to have to use simulation mode so I can turn the faster laps times, unless there a way to upgrade my car that I'm missing, I won't be able to compete. Quick race mode on the other hand I find much more competitive. I've had a few polls and a couple top ten finishes. I'm enjoying it so far, I'll finish my career and see where I go from there, may do multiple seasons if I'm able to compete a bit more.

You can gradually improve your car in career mode. After you earn money, go to the Team tab and there are things you can buy that improve HP, aerodynamics, etc. It's pretty bare bones, but it's something.

[brandon27]

Quote: Originally Posted by JMD

Ok, I got sidetracked by titanfall 2 man that game is fun. Anyway I played some more Nascar Heat Evo here's what I'm seeing. In career mode A.I. on easy I always qualify 40th and end up finishing in the high 20's or low 30's. I think I'm going to have to use simulation mode so I can turn the faster laps times, unless there a way to upgrade my car that I'm missing, I won't be able to compete. Quick race mode on the other hand I find much more competitive. I've had a few polls and a couple top ten finishes. I'm enjoying it so far, I'll finish my career and see where I go from there, may do multiple seasons if I'm able to compete a bit more.

Changing to simulation won't help level the playing field. You'll still qualify in the back, blow past the bottom 10-15 guys and finish the same. The game just adjusts the AI. It apparently stays that way until you improve your car/team as you progress. Good idea in theory, just not executed as good as it could have been. The difference between the AI in play now versus career is staggering though. It's good because that ability is there in career to improve, its just frustrating when you're running lap times faster than the leader for several laps until you hit that AI ceiling. Once you hit 25th or so, your laptimes stay consistent (if you drive consistently that is) yet everyone else magically speeds up. If they could change the way the AI interacts there... I'd be so much happier. Its what really stopped me from playing. Every race was the same outcome for the most part. It didnt feel like I was earning that career money, it just felt like going through the motions until I could be more competitive which is quite the grind based on how much cash you need. As I said, great idea... just the execution was a bit off I think.

But yeah, I think the ability to upgrade your car/team is under the "Team" option in the career menu.

[JMD]

Thanks for the info guys. Next race is Bristol I tend to do better on the shorter tracks , we shall see.

[brandon27]

Quote: Originally Posted by JMD

Thanks for the info guys. Next race is Bristol I tend to do better on the shorter tracks , we shall see.

I won both races at Bristol in my first season of career, and I won one of the Martinsville races. I found those two tracks easy to win on, because the AI can't just magically start running 2-3 seconds faster than you, which I assume is due to the traffic on the short tracks preventing them from it.

[dave360]

It's down to $26 for the PS Sale. Is it worth that you think?

[brandon27]

Quote: Originally Posted by dave360

It's down to $26 for the PS Sale. Is it worth that you think?

If you can deal with the well documented negatives here and still have fun with a game that can provide a good racing experience in it's bare bones way, then, yes.


I wouldn't be as disappointed in it if it was originally priced at that.

[ILuvMN81]

Got it for Xmas. It's a "3-3.5 star title" IMO. Bare bones in presentation and the menus are pretty simple. Graphics are a bit of an "artist interpretation" though they're not that bad.

Unlocked everything within about 8 hrs of gameplay. Trick seemed to be use normal physics and do 13% races on the bigger tracks to build up speed points.

Wish there was a bit more of a happy median between normal and sim physics or at least personalization for auto brakes, etc. Found Sonoma to be WAY too easy on normal since it seemed like the ai braked for me so I switched to sim and it was tough.

Wish there was a mid weekend and/or mid race save feature. Kind of tedious if you want a regulation weekend to do full practice and qualify and then run a longer or full race.

I do like that the game is well suited to a game pad.

At first I could charge my way to the front effortlessly but now that I have higher ratings at the biggest speedways it is a bit harder.

I recommend this game at this point if you're someone that isn't into flashy presentations and you like solid console racing.

[JMD]

I did spend some money on upgrades, they are pricey going to finish out the season and see how much i have at the end and go from there.

Bristol was excellent. I qualified 16th and I was running 4th for most of the race. With 25 laps left there was a caution and I had to pit because my tires were bad , my car was not gripping at all. At the restart cars were blowing by me like I was standing still, dropped back to 12th and finished up in 8th. So far I'm liking it, I think after a season or so when I have enough cash to really fix up my car it will get better as I'll be more competitive. We shall see.

The only things that really bother me at this point are the Spotter, man I wish I could shut him up, should be an option to turn him off, and I would also like to be able to turn the names over the cars off, takes away from any realism. I know who they are...lol