View Full Version : racing games, 360... need help
I usually dont play racing games but lately Ive got the urge, but I need your help...
I want to pick up a racing game that lets me totally customize the car, (shocks, engine, wheels, exhaust) simular to gran turismo,
I hear forza is the one I should get,
I never really was a big fan of the need for speed games, but I cant say Ive played one in a long time...
any suggestions?
Oobgarm
07-02-2009, 10:52 AM
Forza, like you said.
heybtbm
07-02-2009, 11:34 AM
You can customize your cars in PGR right?
There's a fantastic deal that nets you PGR4 for free. On Amazon they have the Xbox Live Messenger Gold Kit (http://www.amazon.com/Xbox-360-Live-Month-Messenger-Gold/dp/B001EKTF60/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1246548873&sr=8-1). You get PGR4 ($20), a headset and messenger key pad ($30), and 1 year of XBL ($50) for around $59. The same thing at brick and mortar stores is going for $70. That's a great deal. Just saying.
Therealqtip
07-02-2009, 11:53 AM
Forza I guess I have it but I don't see what's so great about it, I guess I'm just terrible at racing games cause when I turn or break I go completely off the track and makes me sad face
Nebagram
07-02-2009, 12:14 PM
Forza has the GT-like customisation but I always preferred PGR4. Just personal preference really.
iycon
07-02-2009, 12:30 PM
Forza is basically the Microsoft answer to Sony's Gran Turismo. You can even customize your car's paint job and auction it off at the web site. I'm not into the sim racers but my brother-in-law and Father-in-law are somewhat fanatics for them. Their favorites are Forza, Project Gotham, Grid, and MotoGP (cycles).
I enjoy more arcade type racers. My favorite being the Burnout series (especially Burnout3 and BurnoutRevenge) because of the really user friendly steering and overall fun. I don't really care for the Need For Speed series.
klausien
07-02-2009, 02:35 PM
It's not about cars, but for a nice mix of customization and thrilling racing, I highly recommend the sadly undersold ATV racer PURE. It is a truly excellent game and is exactly what I always imagined an HD 3D Excitebike would be. The only real negative with it is that they didn't take the extra time to add dirt bikes to the mix. However, what is there is golden. They really nailed the control.
In terms of car racing, everyone has hit the nail on the head. Forza is the GT-style sim, and PGR4 takes the arcade with sim elements crown. I prefer the latter, but I am a pretty much a strictly arcade and rally racing guy, so take that for what it's worth (OutRun 2 is my number one racer of all time at this point, with the PSP Ridge Racer 2 in second).
For a decent cheapie, I recommend Need For Speed Carbon. It isn't perfect, but it has car customization, a variety of racing scenarios, a nice drift model, and it's pretty enough. I got it new for $10 in a Best Buy sale, but it can easily be had for under $20. The story stuff is cringe-worthy, but you can just skip it.
SegaAges
07-02-2009, 06:00 PM
Import Tuner FTW!
Made by the same people that did Tokyo Xtreme Racer on DC and PS2. I have not played this game, but if it is anything like that ps2 and dc versions, there is an insane amount of tuning.
The parts are pretty general (engine level 1-5 or whatever), but the tweaks and mods you can do make the TXR series completely worth it.
Nebagram
07-02-2009, 06:14 PM
I'm surprised to see such love for arcade-style racers, personally I think the sim-style racing is far superior. In PGR4, I get many more 'nice corner' bonuses than for powersliding around them sideways.
Wraith Storm
07-03-2009, 05:07 AM
It's not about cars, but for a nice mix of customization and thrilling racing, I highly recommend the sadly undersold ATV racer PURE. It is a truly excellent game and is exactly what I always imagined an HD 3D Excitebike would be. The only real negative with it is that they didn't take the extra time to add dirt bikes to the mix. However, what is there is golden. They really nailed the control.
Could not have said it better! PURE is one of the best arcade style racing games this generation (Along with Excite Truck!). As you said, they could have added a bit more "fluff", but what is there is bliss.
I'm surprised to see such love for arcade-style racers, personally I think the sim-style racing is far superior. In PGR4, I get many more 'nice corner' bonuses than for powersliding around them sideways.
The only sim style racing game I have ever liked was Sega GT on the Dreamcast, but I believe the music played a major role in why I kept playing.
Sim style racers go against the entire reason I love gaming. I don't want heaps of realism that's why I play "Video Games". I don't want 5000 different rims, spoilers, scoops and engine parts to trick out my vehicle. I want to race, not sift through part after part menu after menu.
This is why after 9 years i'm still returning to the arcade racer Speed Devils on my Dreamcast. I LOVE Speed Devils and there really isn't a racing game this generation that can compare to it.
As for the 360 I love Pure as stated above and Flatout: Ultimate Carnage is a fun arcade racer. But When it comes to sim racing I don't think any game will ever draw me in like Sega GT did. That game would throw me in a trance like state. Although I do have to admit the new Forza 3 has peaked my interest.
heybtbm
07-03-2009, 08:31 AM
Sim style racers go against the entire reason I love gaming. I don't want heaps of realism that's why I play "Video Games". I don't want 5000 different rims, spoilers, scoops and engine parts to trick out my vehicle. I want to race, not sift through part after part menu after menu.
Me too. I'll take a Ridge Racer game any day over a Forza or Gran Turismo.
s1lence
07-03-2009, 08:41 AM
Forza, PGR and Midnight Club.
NFS titles are annoying, but Undercover is actually not terrible.
Nesmaster
07-03-2009, 12:26 PM
I myself really enjoyed Flatout: Ultimate Carnage. GRiD, Burnout Revenge, NFS Most Wanted/Undercover were great as well. Still haven't played Midnight Club, and I'm not a fan of games like Forza/Gran Turismo. I did enjoy racing the bikes in PGR4, despite not liking PGR3. Never cared for the deep customization the OP is looking for either, I just like to race. :)
Playing FUEL right now, not bad but it's not without shortcomings. Best in small doses.
sisko
07-03-2009, 04:53 PM
As others have said Forza is great. You can get it as the Marvel Ultimate Alliance/Forza combo disc for dirt cheap.
I've been playing Burnout Paradise a lot lately. The cars aren't customizable, but its tons of fun for $20.
Therealqtip
07-03-2009, 11:37 PM
Wait Burnout Revenge! that game is awesome, but Burnout Paradise there's more free roam driving and stuff not sure what you're into
kupomogli
07-03-2009, 11:45 PM
Test Drive Unlimited.
norkusa
07-04-2009, 12:19 AM
Forza but I found it impossible to play without the wheel controller. The handling is way to precise for a pad, at least for me anyway.
PGR4 is was the opposite though because it's a lot faster. I found it a lot easier to use the pad then then wheel.
I hear good things about project gotham racing,... but the customization isnt there?
is it just, pick a car and race? no adding new engine or tires and things like that? dont care too much for painting the cars, but thats cool i guess
ianoid
07-04-2009, 03:05 PM
I play with the MS Wheel, I have been playing Midnight Club LA a lot. I recommend it, it has a good amount of customization, but probably not as much as Forza/GT. They added map and d/l missions to go with it (the map automatically downloads on XBLA, but you pay $10 or so for the missions, which I'll get when I run out of the regular game missions).
I am a big fan of the series in general, I like the tight arcade feel. They went open world this one, but it doesn't belabour you with realism and tedium (one button to garage), and it's quick to get to the action.
People say that if you want the best scores, you play with a stick, not a wheel, but I prefer to have more fun rather than more score.
DKTheArcadeRat
07-04-2009, 04:22 PM
Need for Speed: Pro Street has a decent amount of customization, the racing is solid, the graphics are solid, but its not all traditional racing(Drifting, Drag, etc.).
slip81
07-05-2009, 10:40 AM
Midnight Club: L.A is a great mix of arcade car handling and sim style customization, you can tweak just about every visual element of your car with tons of parts.
Be warned though, the story races are hard as nails, but some (like myself) could argue that it just makes it that much more satisfying when you are able to win. The gameplay could be likened to that of a JRPG, where you have to grind on easier races to build up enough cash and levels to be able to soupe up you car to the max in order to have a fighting chance against the story A.I.
demen999
07-14-2009, 02:35 PM
Me too. I'll take a Ridge Racer game any day over a Forza or Gran Turismo.
I feel that, altho I am a mixed racing fan. I like the options but usually don't use even half or care to find out once I see it! I favor arcade racers a wee bit more than Sims, play instantly and have fun. Burnout has always been great, especially Paradise, PGR4, and Forza games are cool.