Which is a boring way to say that this is a game that racing fans have had a direct hand in creating. Perhaps it's not a surprise, then, that Slightly Mad claim most of the criticisms levelled at the current crop of high-profile racing games – endless grind, unnecessary microtransactions and a lack of content – will be enthusiastically excised from the game (let's hope that stance continues post-launch). Leaving the team to focus on adding a level of authentic simulation to the solid foundations of the MADNESS engine.
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| Zippy single-seaters are a particular bastard to control in wet weather |
It certainly drives well. Slightly Mad are making big noises about how this is the only real simulation option for racing fans, but it never felt overly difficult to me. Cars will certainly spin off and smash into the boards if you’re careless with your throttle, but as long as you don't go in thinking this is Mario Kart you shouldn't have too many problems with handling. It's really more about keeping the exact right racing line than struggling to maintain control through the corners. The developers repeated the mantra that simulation isn't necessarily about difficulty, but rather about realism – that's why they've been working with a cadre of professional drivers to get every turn, wheel-spin and brake just right.
Not that Project Cars is easy. For one, you'll definitely need to keep an eye out for your rivals. Driver AI is ruthlessly aggressive, shunting into you gleefully if you dare to overtake, and cutting straight across your path at the slightest opportunity. Drivers at the head of the race, meanwhile, are ruthlessly efficient, barely giving you so much as a sniff when you're desperately trying to hunt them down. Once you nail down a track with your favourite car I'm sure you'll be able to carve off those seconds, but I was completely outmatched.
Accurate dynamic weather is another real focus; Slightly Mad are quick to point out that rainstorms aren't just visual eye candy in Project Cars, but a rogue factor that completely changes the way your vehicle handles. That team of racing driver consultants have been working with the developers to accurately represent a variety of physical affects; a single-seater with two tyres on a soaking wet track and two on the verge pulling a hairpin turn at high speed WILL lead to hospital treatment, as my virtual avatar discovered. Another nice touch is the possibility for localised weather – there's a GPS system that allows you to track the local climate for each course, which means you can be speeding around Brands Hatch in the exact same conditions as real drivers raced under a few days earlier.
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| There's an astonishing level of detail in the game's weather effects, particularly the driving rain |
It also looks pretty tasty. Perhaps not quite as crisp and stunning as the promotional screenshots (unless you're running some kind of high-tech space computer), but sharp, slick and full of fine detail. Switching to helmet cam shows an intricately designed interior with a working dashboard, while racing in the middle of a blazing thunderstorm is a terrifically atmospheric experience. In 4K resolution on a decent monitor it's incredibly immersive. Oculus and Project Morpheus support is also confirmed, though unfortunately I didn't get to try that out.
Project Cars looks like a real challenger to the heavyweights of the genre. It's an impressively focused game, ditching gimmicks and campaign grind in favour of getting you straight out onto the track. Solo players won't have to slowly work their way up from Ford Fiesta to McLaren F1 (though you can choose to start out in go-karts and rise up the ladders should you wish), instead they'll be able to choose whatever discipline and car they want to try. I didn't get to see the singelplayer career mode in action, but Slightly Mad are making all the right noises about wanting to put control in the player's hands rather than forcing them to jump through hoops. The foundations are there too; with sharp graphics, accessible but not simplistic handling and a great sensation of speed, the action on the track is tight and exciting. Project Cars is out this November on PC and current-gen consoles. One to keep an eye on, racing fans.
Most Anticipated Moment: As a sucker for touring car action, I'm looking forward to tearing around some of the other tracks.
