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Race Pro review
If the phrase “racing sim” summons an image of a solemn, cave-like space kitted out with a high-end wheel, multiple monitors, and a cockpit (rather than a chair) — and that counts as a good thing — you are so gonna love Race Pro. Its monk-like devotion to pure racing simulation is remarkable…and kind of a turn-off for the rest of us.
Race Pro would really benefit from just one ounce of sex appeal. But instead, the career mode is an unapologetically dry list of races — you’re tasked with a series of events in Groups A–H. No rookie drivers with stars in their eyes, no fictional leagues to master…not even a garage-like hub for fiddling with your unlocked cars. The cars and environments are equally austere, and the slowdown when your car goes off the track is disappointing. Race Pro isn’t ugly per se, but it seems hellbent on impressing you with the handling of its cars, and nothing else.
In that, it shines. Switch to the cockpit view and turn off all the assists, and you’re in for one demanding ride. It feels extremely authentic, and it’s gratifying to master the proper line around a track and start clocking better lap times. It handles like a dream using the 360 wireless wheel — the finer degree of control over the throttle and steering pays off enormously.
But some perplexing decisions make it hard for mere mortals to master. The medium setting becomes pretty easy after a short while, but the hard setting requires you to turn off all the assists — which means you’ll barely be able to drive in a straight line unless your last name is Andretti. Since the difficulty levels don’t let you tweak the opponent A.I. skill in the career mode, most players will be stuck beating the field by 17+ seconds in Semi Pro, or screaming in frustration at their inability to stop spinning out every 10 feet in Pro.
Actually, most run-of-the-mill race fans who try this game probably won’t stay long before returning to Forza or Grid. The 12-player Live races might grab you for a night or two, and you should try the oddball co-op mode that lets two players take turns driving one car in a race just so you can marvel at how weird it is. But Race Pro is really aimed at the hearts of a rare few, and you know who you are.
On Xbox 360
+ High-fidelity simulation and physics, especially if you hook up a steering wheel.
- Lifeless career mode.
- Baffling, pointless limitations on race settings.
? Did playing this game actually make us better drivers?
6.0
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Hired Goon
May 18, 2009 at 11:30pm
This review clearly delineates the console gamer from the PC gamer. Comments like "especially if you hook up a steering wheel" reveal enough. I've played my share of arcade racers, where there seems to be more of an emphasis on crashing. Year after year, console after console, the only thing that really changes in the arcade racers is the eye-candy. If your getting a little tired of the formula why not step up to a sim like Race Pro.
Xander707
April 12, 2009 at 10:15pm
cart00nstrip, you are my idol. but i agree with him. guys wouldn't like a well tuned muscle car if it didn't have that loud roar, or a nice shiny paint job. That's what makes us want to, umm, have sex (ya know, since we treat them as women... but just in a sarcastic tone) with our cars. unless you have a prius to save you gas, sex IS everything. gt Xander707
cart00nstrip
February 20, 2009 at 4:12pm
@ Robborboy: "Since when was racing about 'sex appeal'?" What? When has racing NOT been about sex appeal? I don't care HOW "hard-core" you might THINK you are, if the sight of a mint-condition muscle/sports/racing car doesn't get your heart pumping, you're nothing but a poser. There's a REASON men always refer to their cars as females, because they're SEXY! Whether it's the way a car looks, the sound of its engine, or the silky-smooth feel of a well-tuned gearbox, it's ALL about sex. If you don't get that, you don't get car-culture, and you have no business what-so-ever calling yourself a "racing junky". * As to those of you who seem to think Paul Curthoys is no racing fan, you obviously haven't been reading OXM for too long. Best to know your facts before you open your mouth, lest you find your foot in it. * gt: cart00nstrip
KEY1701
February 19, 2009 at 9:59pm
I still on purchasing game. But I agree with you guys, you can tell the reviewer is not a hardcore race fan.
Paul OXM
February 19, 2009 at 4:50pm
I'm a huge fan of racing games in general and sims in particular. My problem is hardly with the genre; it's with this particular entry in that genre.
Robborboy
February 19, 2009 at 8:23am
No one said it was sub par. It just seems as though consolers do not grasp the meaning of the word Simulation. The only "sims" that tend to get higher scores are those that are not truly "sims". But games that focus on other things. For example read this review, they said they would have rated it higher if it had "sex appeal". Since when was racing about "sex appeal"? That is just BS. Any true racing junky will LOVE this game.
Zorb
February 19, 2009 at 2:22am
You can tell from the first paragraph that this wasn't going to be a favourable review. It's like giving guitar hero to someone who has no interest in the genre. Also, why is there great suprise and bewilderment over the multiplayer way of doing things? Is the reviewer so young as not to remember the most excellent Geoff Crammonds Grand Prix on the Amiga and PC which had the same method of doing multiplayer. It worked well on there and I reckon should be an added option that the player can choose to turn on or off, especially if using a small TV is too cluttered for two player etc.
MitchyD
February 18, 2009 at 6:26pm
It's sad when developers push out sub-par sims that don't even match the quality of comparable year-old titles. :( Oh well. I'll hold off for Dirt 2. YUMMY
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