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NASCAR 4 Demo by Papyrus Review by Jan Kohl
PLEASE CLICK ON PICTURES TO SEE IMAGES
Is this 'the one'? The REAL replacement for NASCAR 2? The next big break? The mark which all others are judged by? Read on, I think you'll see that I think this could be true...
Please NOTE the word "DEMO"...
Don't let that heading for this paragraph put you off...the main reason that I wanted the readers to take note is that out of all the demos that I've tested over the years, this is the most polished, professional, and ADVANCED demo that I've ever seen. Now, there are a few things missing...you cannot race against other cars, for one. You cannot paint cars. You cannot use damage or realistic weather. But the rest of the features FAR outweight what you cannot see on this demo.
It slices, it dices, it makes racing fun again...
BEFORE I get to the race part let me take note of a few features that you can see in the game. First off, on this driver menu here---->, you can now change your multiplayer autochat messages in game now...no more editing a text file to change them. The next shot you'll see (below) deals with the controls...and there are a group of options to change here as well...for example, the gearshift can be changed from sequential (where each click up upshifts, like GPL) or else you can put it to 'direct pattern' (what button/key you set to a gear, that's what gear it goes to) to "H-pattern" (for Act Lab Shifter users). 
Note the 'look left, look right' selections on the options page as well...yes, you can now go for that quick look to insure that you're past that lapper going into turn 1. If you're not used to GPL, it can be rather unsettling at first, so it's recommended that you practice doing a bit of left-right looking before jumping into a multiplayer and using it. Of course, it could come in handy if you follow Buddy Baker's school of thought while driving a loose car..."so sideways he was looking out the passenger window to drive..." And last but not least, you can also set a clutch if you have the pedals for it.
But what do I do with all these things?
You asked for setups, you got them! Here's an example of the setup screens (yes, we'll get to the racing in a minute, hold on) and there are now a full array of options to change on your vehicle. Spring compression, rebound, track bar, castor, ride height, toe-out, brake bias...you'll need to hire a real crewchief to get these setups right! In another menu you can change engine type (race or qualifying) and all the original setup options from NASCAR 1,2,3 are there.
Shaddap already, what about the racing??
Ok! The racing is certainly where it's at...let me put out my system specs, and take note, when doing donuts down the middle of the backstretch of Michigan at 150 mph, I was running about 22 frames per second on this system. Also realize, this was with ONE car, not 44. The overall framerate was very good, and replays are superb...one new thing you can do with replays (finally) in N4 is go back to your original driver position and see what it felt like again! (Not that you would want to in some incidents...)
SYSTEM SPECS
So you can see that my system is probably slightly on the lower side of the general gaming platform, but it performed quite well. Like I mentioned above, however, I'll probably be throwing in my new motherboard and processor for the full version, to run 44 cars. The cockpit (above) is modelled admirably...it really feels like you're in the car. I've driven stock cars around Charlotte (oops, Lowes) Motor Speedway, so I've gotten some on track experience to work with. The steering wheel turns, the shift lever moves, but for those that don't like it, they can be turned off. Looks neat, however!
The racing...well, let's just say that this is what everyone was asking for with NASCAR 3. The apparent setting is 'simulation' as far as the driving physics, but it feels better than racing NASCAR 3! The car really moves well (clip the apron at Dover and you'll see what I mean) as well as putting it into the corner too hard with maybe too much brake bias and/or little weight, and you're gonna be tail-happy! (left) The car has realistic power now as well...stomp on the gas, and you've got GPL-like rear tire action, and will find yourself cranking up a donut shop in the middle of the pits...not like N3, with the 'simulated' rear tire action. You can do another test...get it in 1st gear, drive up to 30-40 mph...now drop it back into neutral, nail the gas, and ram it into 1st. While this is definitely not recommended proceedures in a race car (you'll hear the rev limiter letting you know it's not happy) you'll certainly see that there is 700+ horsepower at the rear wheels...
The physics are superb...this feels like the closest thing to driving the real cars, bar none. And don't forget, this demo comes with MULTIPLAYER! So you can test out racing with your friends, long before N4 ever comes out! It's a bit too bad that they didn't do like all their previous demos and throw in a road-course, but beggars can't be choosers, so we'll have to be happy with Dover and Michigan.
Details at the track are superb as well...the sky looks real, the stands, the dynamic lighting, everything give you the feeling that you're sitting in the seat, not just watching the action. Even pit boy runs out and drops the pit board so you can see where to stop (not like it's that hard with one car on the track). The pit guys in action are not modelled in the demo, however.
Even without all the things that will be put into the final game, this demo shows the promise that the guys at Papyrus really put their heads together to come up with a new generation of racing sim. And you can even consider this a bit of an early Christmas pressie by them...while we all wait for Daytona and the full version to come back with the spring...
We'll give it a V8, no questions about it.
 roofflaps and the hair on the back of your neck raise up |
 Definitely *NOT* NASCAR 3 |
 PITBOY! Where are YOU??? |
 concrete pit wall test - realistic. Wall didn't move |
