Any thoughts? I was considering picking this up tomorrow but it's been bashed quite badly by reviews....it looks amazing though.

Couple things:

1) I don't play online, so it's really just for me and friends.

2) I love the Ridge Racer feel, and I can enjoy GT3 style (I hear this game has drifting ALL the time and is quite annoying)

3) Worth getting as a blind buy?

I've had the import version for a few month, and it's an okay game. It doesn't have that RR 'arcade' feel to it. I think it's more like a cell shaded GT. Very pretty game, smooth & fast.

The import didn't have online gameplay on it, so I've only played 1 on 1 w/ friends, or took turns racing with them.

I'd say give it a 'rent' before a blind purchase. I only paid like 35 bucks for my copy used, and after playing it... I don't think I would have wanted to pay any more.

-k
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I bought it on release day, just like every other racing game, and I can easily say it looks great, but plays like one of the worst, if feels like you are ince and not pavement. I played like three races, and now it is on ebay.

I Would rent if I were you.

Big disapointment from every review I've read. Looks like a rental at best.

I played it at an in-store kiosk. Not very fun from what I saw.

I purchased the game on release day as well. My initial impression was not that great. The cars seem to handle poorly and the voice commentary was horrible at best. However, after spending some time with the game and tuning my car, I am really starting to enjoy the game. I knew when I purchased the game that the physics would not be comprable to that of GT3, which it seems like many expected. It is true that this isn't the most realistic racer out there, but then again neither are most of the other race type games are. The cars do tend to slide a bit more than they should, even with upgraded tires and suspension. However, after spending some time with the game, I have found that it is very controllable. I do however, love the cell-shading technique and the level of customization that is afforded to you in Auto Modellista, it's much more personal than anything esle out there, even GT3. All in all, unless your a fan of import cars and japanese flavor (a la Initial D) you may want to hold of until this game can be had for cheap. However, if you are willing to spend some time with the game, it is a lot of fun - in my opinion.

I'm only a casual racing game fan and generally dislike cel shading, so I'll pass on this. I can deal with cel shading in something like zelda, because it kind of works (though I'd still prefer the more"realistic" space world zelda).

But for racing games, top of the line, realistic graphics are a must (mario cart, crash team racing type games aside) for me. Mainly because I prefer realistic racers like GT3, and it doesn't make sense to have realistic gameplay and cartoon graphics IMO.

The graphics are actually surprisingly good, but you have to adapt to the cell shading... the drifting is really annoying, but tolerable and you'll get used to it.

The biggest complaint I have is that poor players (like me) can just ram into the side of the wall on a turn, bounce off, and be neck and neck with a good player who properly drifted into the turn. Especially with online play, that gets annoying for the good players, and there's really nothing you can do about it. No damage either.

The two player mode also looks much worse than the one player mode, not only because of the split screen, but the lack of speed lines, etc. Also, the tracks are pretty sparse. I would only recommend it if you want to race online.

I hope you aren't saying this game is anywhere near the caliber as Gran Turismo?

The only similarities are the fact that they are both driving games, everything else in AM is sub par. Like mentioned before the most unforgivable of these flaws is the control, I never liked the drift effect of the Ridge Racer series but it was still controllable and fun. Auto Modellista's drift aspect is way over exaggerated causing you to skid all over the road. End result is fustration and nowhere near enjoyable.

If you manage to get use to this horrid gameplay factor it might be enjoyable for you. Otherwise, stay way clear of this morsel of gaming crap and go for Midnight Club II instead for your online and racing fix. At least until Gran Turismo 4 is released.

I wasn't saying that. I was telling him how the games' racing 'felt'. AM is way less forgiving than any RR game. It feels more like a GT game in the sense that if you misjudge a turn, you're going to slide out and loose some big time.

-k
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