NASCAR The Game: Inside Line

NASCAR as a sporting franchise translates to a video game as easy as ice turns to water. All the elements are set up to create an immersive and dedicated game - a loyal fanbase, high octane driving action, and a lot of vehicle variation. Not to mention the colorful characters that represent the sport. Naturally, this is not the first NASCAR video game - but NASCAR the Game: Inside Line, oddly, the last in this particular series.

The name of the NASCAR The Game series always brings a few chuckles - does it really need to be identified as a game? Either that identifies the standards of the people who play them. Or sets an alarming tone for the quality of gameplay. Whatever the case, that's what we're here to find out. Let's see if the 3rd and final entity is any good.

Round Like a Record Baby

If anyone should be unfamiliar with NASCAR, we can vaguely define it. It is a bunch of super-powered cars driving around a track a few times. The ultimate results purvey a victor that has the best time in lap completion. Yes, that is about it - so you can imagine what the game would be like. There will be much traveling around the track, fending off other cars that try and surpass you.

The whole concept seems remarkably tedious and unrewarding. Yet, the simple nature of the game surprisingly benefits the rest of it. NASCAR has a very dedicated following, and the developers actually seem to know this. The level of detail that presents in the driving mechanics and the general gameplay is impressive.

There will be a lot of turning left around 23 different tracks offered - however, actually winning is more of a challenge than one might expect. NASCAR the Game: Inside Line incorporates a range of difficulties tailored to a committed player - making winning races a real achievement.

The A.I. is excellent, the career mode is in-depth, the commentary is entertaining, and the customization is decent. The outcome of such a simple concept has been quite respectable. Despite the visuals in environments lacking some luster and occasional frustrations in controls - NASCAR the Game: Inside Line is very playable.

Drives Like a Dream

It's not often you find a racing game that takes every element of the sport so seriously. This may be in part to without ability to escape the wrath of NASCAR fans should you screw it up. Whatever the incentive, the developers have made a game that can appeal to fans and racing game enthusiasts alike.

NASCAR the Game: Inside Line won't be making and game of the year lists like Gran Turismo - there's only so much you can do with a concept like this after all. But where they can refine and polish the game - it has been achieved in most respects. The career mode is entertaining and in-depth, and the driving and car detailing are excellent.

Pros

• Great driving mechanics and in-depth detailing
• Career mode is very immersive
• Commentary in the game is entertaining

Cons

• Controls can backfire sometimes
• Environmental visuals like buildings and sky-boxes don't look great
• Limited gameplay potential