Well, I
STOLE IT.I pre ordered with Amazon forever ago. From there the release date slipped and slipped (about four times) before it finally just said "we will notify you when this product is available". Hmm. I did some poking around and it seems the U.S got it and so did Spain. Odd.
So I downloaded it and now I can see why. I did some poking around and apparently this is a lousy console port. We're talking GTAIV proportions here. It's capped at 30FPS so no matter what you do or how much muscle you throw at it that won't change. It's also bugged to kingdom come with terrible slowdown and glitches. It has no PC settings to speak of and is a pile of slop.
But I still love it.
Yes I know that sounds hard to believe but with plenty of muscle thrown at it (which I have) and the resolution dropped to 1440x900 I managed to get it capping at 30 frames. I'm still suffering the stuttering I heard about but nothing I can't handle (if anything it gives me a chance to think as it usually happens during a power play when a bulldozer is being dangled over an opponent). It's also not fast either really, being that it caps at 30FPS. I mean Dirt 2 hurtled along so fast I dared to blink. But as much as it sounds like I am complaining I'm not. I actually like the slowed down pace. Weird eh?
I could also sit here and go on and on and on about the
horrific rubber banding. But the game has been designed that way. If you pay close attention it says that in order to achieve a split second you must win a race by less than a second. So it's obvious there's going to be plenty of place swapping and all of that. Now I actually didn't mind Mario Kart 64 for that, it kept it fun til the last minute. I mean let's face it, if you went to a friend's house and he won every time you'd have either chinned him or gotten very bored.(the owner of the console that is). I mean sure it kinda takes some of the skill away but it does keep it nice and even on the playing field.
And that's what this game seems to do well. I've only done three races but I did win all three, but by the time I crossed the finish line I was a nervous wreck. That feeling of being thumped from behind is actually rather fun, it really gets the blood flowing
I agree with what's been said about timing your power plays right, but again I think this adds to the game given that it's rubber banded. It gives you the opportunity to actually learn an advantage. And I also like how you can change routes at any given time and open up a complete new part to learn. I fucked up and did so on my last lap once and it changed everything. I felt comfortably in front but after changing the track I took a wrong turn and was back into 4th. Time to get learning !
Over all then (even though it's a complete mess on the PC) I like this one. I can see fun times ahead.