Follow us on:
E3 2008: RACE Pro Preview
Unleash your inner speed demon and work your way to the top .
Date: Friday, July 18, 2008
Author: Toni Dimayuga

  • Game: RACE Pro
  • Platform: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC
  • Publisher: Atari
  • Developer: SimBin
  • Genre: Racing
  • Release Date: November 2008
  • Why You Should Care: 46 car models and 300 cars; realistic damage modeling; online multiplayer; can fine tune car
  • Why You Should Worry: May not appeal to those who just want to race.

  • If you take to heart Ricky Bobby’s immortal words, “If ya ain’t first, yer last,” in the movie Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, then RACE Pro is probably the game for you. Unleash your inner speed demon and work your way to the top in Career Mode, or flex your mad driving skills in front of your friends during Multiplayer Mode.

    Developer SimBin really emphasized realism in RACE Pro. The 50 race tracks are based off their real-life counterparts located all over the world. Dynamic weather effects add another level of realism, affecting the conditions of the track. For example, if it rains on a dirt track, it’ll get muddy, which will make it more difficult to drive on.

    SimBin’s attention to detail extends to their depiction of the vehicles. There will be 46 available car models and 300 cars total, ranging from 200 to 1000 horse power. Car manufacturers include Honda, Aston Martin, BMW, Alfa Romeo, and Peugot. There is also realistic damage modeling, and the extent of the damage can affect your driving. For example, minor cosmetic damage from a scrape won’t deter you from continuing. However, slamming against a wall on a hairpin turn (like I did) will cause your bumper to fall off and your car to slow down significantly.

    Although it’s not necessary, pit stop crew wannabes can fine tune their car before a race. I was astounded to see the number of things you can tweak on your car: suspension, brakes, tires, etc. It looked amazingly detailed and complex, and I suspect that only the most detail oriented, diehard driving simulation fan will spend the time to go through this extensive list.

    Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter Review
    Give a man a fish and he eats for a day, draw a man a fish gun and he shoots fishes forever.
    Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Review
    Brash, loud, pretty, offensive, and over the top -- Modern Warfare 2 is a smashing success.
    Mad Catz offers up a slick new controller that isn't just for Modern Warfare 2 fans.
    Nancy is back with another fun, classic (and modern) adventure.
    This smaller version of LBP is a certified winner.
    A look at the Dark Elves race being added to the footballer.
    To include online multiplayer battles.
    Preparing for a number of DLC packs next year.
    Happening alongside the Nemesis Confrontation event.
    Skate 3 Hands on Preview
    Fast becoming the Madden franchise of skating.
    Gratuitous Space Battles Preview
    You most likely have never heard of Gratuitous Space Battles -- well, it's now time to pay attention.
    New Super Mario Bros Wii blends the old and the new.
    Dragon Age isn’t just one of the more hotly anticipated games of the holiday season—it’s the single most ambitious RPG project you’ve ever seen.
    Same game, new platforms.