Review: NASCAR 2008: Chase For The Cup (PS2)

We just have to ask, is there anyone in the UK who is actually a fan of the NASCAR racing series? Looking at the box, Gamestyle is having trouble remembering if the NASCAR series has ever graced PAL consoles before, but a quick Google search confirms it has indeed since 2006. Considering the varying tastes and preferences of the Gamestyle staff, we're left wondering how exactly the series crept by us before. However, after playing the game, there's a definite reason for it, because it's one of the slowest, dullest and most yawn-inducing racing games in history.

You must wonder why EA even bothered releasing the series over here, but they're onto the third PAL title of the series, so somebody must be buying them. The question is... why? Throughout the testing period, there was never one moment of excitement, anger, or even frustration derived from the game's actions; even if by some miracle there was a multi-car pile-up that caused us to drop a few places, there was simply not enough emotional investment in the player-created character's career to give two hoots.

This is mainly because it's just not fun to drive in what is essentially a series of slightly changing circles, and this is all you get in NASCAR 08 - circles. Admittedly, this is probably why few Europeans invest much time in the sport, as you can only turn left for so long before succumbing to the urge to turn right, and subsequently smash into a wall to relieve yourself of the purgatory of racing. There are no memorable tracks, no nail-biting turns, not even any strategy to winning! You simply slam the accelerator on and turn left occasionally, passing cars until you get into first place.

It doesn't help that the graphics and sounds are the most underwhelming in recent memory. Regardless of Gamestyle being more recently accustomed to next generation graphics, there's simply no excuse for making us think "didn't Destruction Derby 2 on the PSone look better than this?" It didn't, incidentally, but the fact NASCAR 08 made us question it should be evidence enough of the graphical state. Meanwhile, in the sound department, everything just falls flat, as most of the cars sound exactly the same, and everything else just fails to convince us of anything. Sure, the tyres screech if you manage to get into a skid, but it just doesn't convey the action very well.

If you do decide to buy this game (more fool you), the bulk of your time will be spent in the game's career mode, mainly because there's little else. There's single race mode and multiplayer but, apart from that, no other options. Perhaps if the European version hadn't had the online support ripped out, it may have provided some amusement. Alas, it is not meant to be.

That said, for all its negativity, NASCAR 08 does have two good ideas. In some races, you have a team mate who you can order around to help you, by letting him fall in place in front or behind you to do drafting, block other cars from getting in your way, or simply telling them to move aside. Then there's the nice idea of letting you save a game in the middle of a race; quite a clever idea if you're a masochist and fancy doing a full 200+ laps on one of the tedious tracks.

This game is not worth anyone's time unless they are a die hard NASCAR fan and can get the US version on import. Without any decent multiplayer or online support, it's boring, tedious, and wholly without merit. Two decent ideas do not make up for the simply shoddy presentation and gameplay of this title, and Gamestyle doubts this will be racing into a chart position any time soon.

Rating: 1 / 10

Words by Garry Webber