Project CARS

Game Information

• Genre: Racing Simulation
• Developer: Slightly Mad Studios
• Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
• Release Date: 2015
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
• Game Mode Played: Career, Time Trial, Quick Race
• Completion Status: Completed multiple career seasons and extensive standalone races

Introduction

Project CARS is a racing game made by people who love racing, for people who love racing. Slightly Mad Studios made it, and they really listened to what the community wanted. You can tell as soon as you start playing. It's not a simple arcade game, and it doesn't try to be easy for everyone.

After playing quite a bit, Project CARS turns out to be challenging but worth it. It's all about being real, like how the cars handle, the weather, and the tracks. You have to keep changing how you play. When it all comes together, you get some crazy intense racing.

Gameplay - 9/10

Project CARS doesn't mess around when it comes to how it plays. The cars feel like they have real weight and power, and they respond to what you do, so you gotta respect that. How you use the gas pedal, when to brake, how hot your tires are, and how much grip you have all matter a lot. If you mess up, especially on harder settings, you'll pay for it right away.

The way the cars handle feels best with a steering wheel, but even with a controller, you can get pretty good if you mess with the settings and put in some practice. Each type of car feels different, so you'll have to learn new driving skills when you switch between them, like from go-karts to GT cars.

The computer-controlled racers are pretty aggressive and act like real people, though sometimes they do weird stuff when passing or when it's raining. There's no rewind button like in some games, which shows that this game is meant to be a simulator. If you spin out or crash, that's on you, which makes getting through a lap without messing up feel really good.

Visuals - 9/10

Project CARS looked great when it came out and still does. The cars look real, the tracks are just like the real thing, and the lighting makes you feel like you're really there, especially when you're racing at sunrise, sunset, or at night.

The weather makes this game special. Rain messes with how well you can see, how well your tires grip the road, and how long it takes to stop. Also, puddles show up on the track when it rains. When you're driving from inside the car, it feels even more real because you can see all the stuff on the dashboard working, and the camera shakes to make you feel like you're going fast.

Sometimes, the graphics might look a little off, and the game might slow down a bit. But when it runs well, it looks as good as watching a real race on TV.

Audio - 8.5/10

The sound in Project CARS is really good. The engines sound awesome, gear changes feel real, and the environment noises change with the weather.

Each type of car sounds different, so you can actually hear the difference between a fast, open-wheel car and a GT car. Tire squeals, wind, and rain sound real, especially when you're in the driver's seat.

There's not much talking or anything like that, which fits the game's style. It keeps the focus where it should be: on the race.

Story - 6/10

Project CARS doesn't have a story like you'd find in a movie or other games. Instead, the career mode lets you live the life of a racer. Pick your racing style, sign deals, and get known.

As you get better, you'll race in bigger events, but messing up can slow you down. It's not a movie plot, but the career part feels real and makes you think that you're really on a motorsport experience.

Bugs & Technical Performance - 7/10

The game's tech can be hit or miss. Most races are smooth, but you might see some goofy AI, weird physics, and frame rate drops, especially when it rains hard or you're racing at night.

Loading times can be a bit long, and some tracks just don't run as well as others. But, these problems don't totally ruin the game, they just sometimes pull you out of the otherwise detailed simulation.

Replayability - 8.5/10

If you're into sim racing, you'll probably play this one a lot. There are tons of cars, tracks, weather setups, and race types, so it stays fresh.

You can also spend ages trying to beat your best time, tweaking the difficulty, and tuning your cars. But if you just want a quick, easy race, be warned: it takes a bit to learn, which might turn some people off.

Final Verdict - 8.4/10

Project CARS is a hardcore racing game that really focuses on being realistic. When it's running well, it gives you some seriously exciting and real racing moments that most games just can't pull off.

If you're up for putting in the effort, being patient, and getting good, Project CARS can be super rewarding. It's all about being precise, and it won't let you get lazy.