Project CARS is back on GSY

Driftwood
Saturday, February 7, 2015 | 1:35 PM
14 comments

GSY Video PC PS4 Xbox One

Playing Project CARS yesterday allowed us to capture the latest version of the game on PC and we are under the impression that the driving sensations have been improved since last time, based on the few car we tried with our wheel anyway. Visually, it's not always as impressive as we could expect on a GTX 970, even with all options maxed out (but only SMAA activated) like in our two Laguna Seca videos. Engine sounds are great though as you can hear, and the fact that your car can break down (as proven in the end of our Brands Hatch Race footage) is something we truly appreciate. Performance-wise, with 30 cars on the track on Laguna Seca, we had a few dips, but you'll see it's better in the other videos because we lowered shadows, particles and reflections to high. The build not being final, there are still a few bugs, like that deadly curve on Road America, but the game is making good progress and we want to be optimistic.

High quality stream and download

Commented on 2015-02-07 14:18:53

Jaggies and flickering.. Maxed out on PC? I´m underwhelmed.

In reply to

Loneck

Commented on 2015-02-07 14:38:55

Car models are nice, but I am not impressed by tracks at all. Maybe it is because circuits are just not interesting. I miss games like NFS3 and NFS5 where you could drive through canyons and mountains on normal roads with no festival and image building bullshit.

docLEXfisti

Commented on 2015-02-07 18:40:55

From the beginning I had the impression that they were aiming too high for this series premiere. I still hope I'm wrong though.

2PintsOfInsulin

Commented on 2015-02-07 19:30:50

This is the first racing game I've seen for a long time, where the racing looks better than the replays.

Really like the depth of field in the cockpit, although it would be great if they used kinect on the xbox one to adjust that depth of field depending on where you are looking, so you can check your mirrors to see what's behind, or check the dash to see what speed you're doing.

I remember they did the apex-checking with kinect in Forza 4 (I think), and I was surprised at how well that worked, so there could be potential.

Although of course, they'll just ditch that so they can bring it on par with the other versions. A shame.

SheikYerbouti3

Commented on 2015-02-07 21:06:33 In reply to SlicRic

Posted by SlicRic

This is only with SMAA. The game has tons of AA options.
FXAA, SMAA, MSAA, ingame downsampling x2-x9, DSx2M (downsampling combined with MSAA)
TXAA might be added as well since this is a Nvidia gameworks title as far as i know.

bubble2020

Commented on 2015-02-07 21:11:05

This game needs a sequel called Project Cars and Tracks because the cars look fantastic but that environmental detail is so crappy.

At least the gameplay looks like it might be fun. That is as long as they keep those horrific replays to themselves. Never seen replays look so bad before. How could they not get that part right at least? It's been done in so many games before so all they really had to do was follow the cookie cutter guidelines for cool replays.

alxxxxxx

Commented on 2015-02-07 21:19:46

I just watched Oulton Park. So many years and It looks like a new Toca3. And the trees (specially on curves)... mamma mia !!!!! C´mon !!!!!! It seems that (in many new games) the expectations and previews are so "awesome" and later on you can´t finish that high, and for the gamer, that´s sad.

LEBATO

Commented on 2015-02-07 22:02:41

That was a very anticlimatic ending in brands hatch, also I noticed the revs gauge does not match the sound :|

NoClip

Commented on 2015-02-07 22:14:40

Nice.

Driftwood

Commented on 2015-02-07 23:52:34 In reply to SheikYerbouti3

Only problem is that the game isn't smooth with SMAA with one GTX 970, so imagine what it's like when selecting better AA. I'm not sure choosing AA over fluidity makes sense in a driving game, unless you're willing to play at 30 fps that is.

Commented on 2015-02-08 00:06:00 In reply to Driftwood

Posted by Driftwood

I know, I think some settings are fairly overkill though. Like reflections and particle density. If i remember correctly the ultra particle density option enables particles for all vehicles on track, which can cause quite the performance impact when you play in wet weather with 20 or more vehicles. High is limited to 8 cars having particles around you.

With two 970s it runs smooth for me with DS2M + SMAA on high. (as it better should with that kind of GPU power)

timotim

Commented on 2015-02-08 03:02:39

On a technical level, the game looks amazing...but on a artistic level, it doesn't hold up as great at all. Cars are the best we've seen yet, but tracks are so devoid of life and excitement. I've seen upwards to 40 cars on track...but what does it mean when the AI looks this weak. Physics also need work. In some respects, FM5 looks better...in others, its the best looking racer ever...

marker

Commented on 2015-02-08 15:07:11

As far as gfx goes I think DC is some way ahead of the competition but this game is going for 60fps with more than 16cars on track and hopefully console version won't be too different. So considering that it is damn impressive. The sound too is great. I think this game is going to be huge.

Commented on 2015-02-09 14:05:57 In reply to marker

Been playing DC for a while now and 30 fps is plenty. I'm glad Project Cars is going for 60 fps, but I'd rather they fix the environmental details before they try to tackle that higher fps. Cars look great, but it sort of works against them since it makes the terrible environment stand out that much more.