Project Cars: Preview

PH games head Nathan gets an early go with Project Cars - should we believe the hype?

A games launch is so much more than just half an hour on a PlayStation now. See Driveclub's day at Mercedes-Benz World and Gran Turismo taking over a town for the sixth iteration. For the Project Cars preview event at Brands Hatch the itinerary included a few laps in an E90 M3 with an instructor plus some solo time around the Indy circuit in an Audi powered Formula Brands single seater. Oh, and some time actually playing the game.

Living up to the 'most beautiful' claim here

Developers Slightly Mad Studios have said Project Cars will be the "most authentic, beautiful, intense and technically-advanced racing game on the planet" when it comes out in November and is being made "by racers for racers."

As a console gamer, I have always been disappointed when games come out claiming to be the best sim ever (numerous Gran Turismo titles, for example) that don't actually deliver when you play them. There are lots of little things that just aren't right and this means that they don't feel that realistic. This game initially seems to have overcome that as so many little details have been paid attention too; you can see the oil temperature rising and the fuel level dropping from the cockpit view. When it's raining your visibility is affected with rain drops flowing up the visor and then back down again as you stop.

Car selection diverse and exciting

The cars are accurately recreated using laser scanning and the tracks have had their GPS coordinates logged meaning the weather is accurate according to the date you set. If the sun would be shining at a certain point on the circuit in real life, so it does in the game. The developers say that for them "realism is about handling and feeling, not difficulty." The game is designed to be enjoyable, which is great news if you're no Lewis Hamilton. The handling felt realistic and very manageable although I'm sure if all the assists were turned off then it would be more of a handful.

Project Cars is unique because it's the first game of it's kind to be funded and powered using crowdfunding. Essentially there are over 80,000 stakeholders including racing drivers such as Ben Collins and Oli Webb (who was with us at Brands Hatch). This kind of input makes for an improved gaming experience game says Slightly Mad, due to the broad skillset involved in making it a very realistic experience in every aspect.

Even as a preview it's damn impressive

The game will be playable at up to 12K (three times 4K screens mounted next to each other) and will be compatible with all manner of virtual reality add-ons so you can really immerse yourself in over 70 cars, more than 80 tracks and nine motorsport disciplines. You'll be able to play against your mates in the Driver Network Time Trials and download leaderboard ghost laps to compete against.

As a casual console gamer, Project Cars is shaping up well with its stunning visual appeal and playability. If you like the idea of a super realistic racing sim then this game fills that brief perfectly; it could change the way racing sims are made and for the better.

Project Cars is due to be released on PS4, XBox One and Windows on November 21. Steam OS and Wii U versions will follow next year.

BAC Mono on the game against real life video here.