FRA approves establishment of five new firms for investment fund management, SME financing    Sukari Gold Mine showcases successful public–private partnership: Minister of Petroleum    Egypt's Environment Minister attends AMCEN conference in Nairobi    Egypt considers launching national platform to mobilise green financing for private-sector industrial transformation    Egyptian, Belarusian officials discuss drug registration, market access    Egypt's ARC, Italy's AICS sign deal to boost wheat production    Gold prices edge higher on July 16th    Egypt stocks hit record highs in 2025 as reforms fuel rally: Cabinet    Egypt condemns Israeli strikes on Lebanon, Syria    Syria says it will defend its territory after Israeli strikes in Suwayda    Pakistan names Qatari royal as brand ambassador after 'Killer Mountain' climb    Health Ministry denies claims of meningitis-related deaths among siblings    Egypt's Health Min. discusses drug localisation with Sandoz    Egypt, Mexico explore joint action on environment, sustainability    Needle-spiking attacks in France prompt government warning, public fear    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Korea Culture Week in Egypt to blend K-Pop with traditional arts    Egypt, France FMs review Gaza ceasefire efforts, reconstruction    CIB finances Giza Pyramids Sound and Light Show redevelopment with EGP 963m loan    Egypt's PM urges BRICS to prioritise peace    Greco-Roman tombs with hieroglyphic inscriptions discovered in Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt's GAH, Spain's Konecta discuss digital health partnership    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    Egypt's Democratic Generation Party Evaluates 84 Candidates Ahead of Parliamentary Vote    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Cabinet approves establishment of national medical tourism council to boost healthcare sector    Egypt's PM follows up on Julius Nyerere dam project in Tanzania    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



SCI TECH SCENE: Car wars: 'Forza' outclasses competition
Published in Daily News Egypt on 03 - 08 - 2007

Just a few years ago, it was somewhat of a surprise when a NASCAR driver said he used video games to get ready for real-life races. Nowadays, virtual racing is a standard element of the training regimen of professional drivers, particularly the young guns who probably learned to drive on a Nintendo long before they got behind the wheel of a stock car.
Elliott Sadler, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards are just a few of the NASCAR drivers who have acknowledged a debt to video games. As graphics get more realistic, a virtual track can provide good practice for the pros while letting the rest of us feel what s it s like to do a few laps at Daytona.
NASCAR 08 (EA Sports, for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, $59.99; PlayStation 2): The first 360/PS3 version of this franchise includes vivid recreations of just about every track in America, from the basic oval at Bristol, Tenn., to the twisting road course at Watkins Glen, N.Y. Most of the time you re racing against more than 40 other cars, so you really get a feeling of claustrophobia along with a sense of the strategy required to make it to the front of the pack.
Unfortunately, to pull off that strategy you need really sharp steering. The controls in NASCAR 08 feel so loose that you have to keep adjusting them even when you re just trying to drive in a straight line.
The Chase for the Cup mode is frustrating as well. It starts you off with small challenges, like learning how to pick up speed by closely following another car, and works up to full-blown Nextel Cup events. It s a good way to learn the sport s intricacies, but many gamers won t have the patience to endure all the tests that are required before entering a career race. Two stars out of four (but add a star if you re a NASCAR fan).
Forza Motorsport 2 (Microsoft, for the Xbox 360): The second edition of Microsoft s flagship racing franchise offers a lot more breathing room, mainly because you re usually racing only seven other cars. It also has a wider variety of courses, ranging from California s sun-splashed Laguna Seca to a fantasy track in the middle of Times Square.
FM2 lets you pick a car (from more than 300 models) and jump into a race right away. There s no messing around with tutorials and licensing tests; instead, novices get some on-screen assistance and are pitted against slower opponents. Eventually, you ll make enough money to buy a new car or upgrade your old one, and there are so many ways to calibrate a car s performance that you could spend a couple of days in the garage alone.
There s a lot to love about FM2, from its gorgeous graphics to its incredible attention to detail. But its most impressive feature is its driving physics; it simply feels more realistic than any other racing video game. Three-and-a-half stars.
Dirt (Codemasters, for the Xbox 360): Dirt, the latest in Codemasters Colin McRae Rally series, is in some ways the opposite of Forza. Instead of zipping around slick, paved tracks, you re slogging your way across bumpy, muddy terrain; endurance and brute force are more important than speed and slick steering. But Dirt goes head-to-head with Forza in one respect: It s one of the best-looking racing games on the 360.
Dirt has a decent selection of off-road vehicles, from nimble buggies to lumbering trucks, and a good variety of events. Sometimes you ll be racing solo up a hill; other times you ll be swapping paint with your opponents on courses that abruptly shift from paved to unpaved.
Most of the courses are rocky enough to make your teeth rattle, but the controls don t always feel spot-on. At times it feels like you re floating around curves, and the cars almost feel too responsive given all the abuse they re going through. Dirt is fun and pretty, but doesn t feel realistic. Three stars.Associated Press


Clic here to read the story from its source.