Well I was waiting for this years installment to come out to write a NASCAR review, but that's not going to happen any time soon. This game was a must buy for me because I buy it every year. NASCAR 08 was terrible in my opinion and I hoped that EA would change their way of thinking this year. By far this game exceeds the previous installment. The actual racing is nicely refined, giving veterans of the series a more challenging experience while still giving the rookie a chance. There is an opening race where you set up your skill level, actually the game provides its estimate of what you should pick, I chose the veteran driver setting, but if you're a rookie I advise you don't choose it. The game play is fast and furious. Even if you've found the perfect set up for a track and saved the next time around the track will change and you're back to square one just like in real life. I wish they had a tutorial for the setups to help me adjust my car better. I simply adjust air pressure, wedge, and the track bar the rest of the set up is a mystery to me. The career mode is lacking though. There is really no interaction with the team you chose. You can't communicate with team mates or even see who your teammates are. There are no driver changes; everyone is the same every year. There is no trophy room to see your hard earned possessions. The contracts are stupid; a team dropped me a three time champion because I didn't qualify in the top 20 one race. You also can't run more than one series at a time you have to choose which one to run at the beginning of the season. Also I liked in previous years where you could build up your garage and team, and even price your own merchandise. All that has been taken away, you can't even check your stats for the previous year. Come on EA what were you thinking in the career mode. Overall the only choice right now and the game play is smooth enough, but the lack of split-screen still pisses me off.
Presentation- The game has an interactive Jeff Gordon to talk to you as you progress through your career which is nice. The music is a mix of country and rock to accommodate both music groups. The ability to save and watch your replays is nice. 4.5/5
Graphics- It's the same every year. They get a little better. There is nice dirt on your screen when you go through the grass. The damage element needs to be more elaborate, you can't really tear up your car that much. The normal cars look great, but your created cars are missing the nice polished look the other drivers have. The inside camera view is very well done. The stats you can out on while driving really help you adjust the car, though they hurt the realism of the game, I love the tire wear gauges. 4.3/5
Game play- The overall driving is a lot of fun. You actually feel like your driving a stock car. There are a few problems, like the super speedways. If you start 1st you will pull away and never look back, which doesn't happen in real life. The cars actually handle like real cars and don't always make the corner. You have to be precise in this game because like in real NASCAR if you mess up you're going to be in the wall. It has a simulator feel to it unlike any previous game in the franchise. 4.7/5
Story- The career is bare bones and has a lot of problems that I have stated above. The racing really brings you back not the career itself. I've finished 6 seasons and I'm beginning my seventh. It's nice to have a career to keep you playing, but it should have been better developed. 3.5/5
Lasting Appeal- This game has kept my interest for two years now as I await Gran Tourismo 5 which will have NASCAR as one of its series. There is a lack of career options, but it is fun to race and I love this game despite its flaws. 5/5
The Verdict- If you like NASCAR I recommend this game whole heartily. It will be a long time until someone makes a full forced NASCAR game again. GT5 will have the NASCAR series, but its not the focus of the game. This game was a huge leap over NASCAR 08. If you don't mind bad graphics I recommend either NASCAR Thunder 2004 or NASCAR 06: Total Team Control, they have the whole package for their time. NASCAR 09 was a nice effort, lets just hope its not the last. Overall 4.4/5
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