Codemasters has published a racing simulation with a twist - an RPG racer. Pro Race Driver for Xbox gives you advanced video thrills plus a story line. You play the role of Ryan McKane, son of a race driver killed on the track fifteen years ago. You're on a quest now to become world champion, have a running feud with your race driver brother, and must to come to grips at some point with your father's tragic death. The story may seem cheesy at first, but with the rivalries that can develop with the drivers you cut off, bump into retaining walls or otherwise humiliate, there's real potential here for unpredictable variations and challenges.

Codemasters has experience in the purely racing simulation genre; take a look at Touring Car Challenge for PlayStation 2. And, it shows in Pro Race Driver for Xbox. Good animation and car handling, identifiable tracks and real world cars are not exactly ground breaking features, but they are quite well done and fresh. A new feature that does set this game apart from the pack is the car body damage system; structural points can sustain minor smash ups and impact and retain the resulting damage while the car continues to race. Loose doors, fenders and grills are visible. Damage can effect how the car handles, too. When a point like the steering column is hit, handling becomes more difficult. Codmasters has also built personality traits into the opponent AI. Some drivers are more aggressive while others handle corners and curves better. The effect makes for a bigger challenge in every race.

I'm waving the checkered flag on Pro Race Driver for Xbox. Good physics, polished animations and visual detail, plus a story line will make this game a winner.