Well, before I continue I would just like to say that I liked the demo, if you didn't like the demo, you won't like the full game and you probably should leave the thread right now and go play Burnout or something.
Right, on with the show. As I said I liked the demo, and could see a lot of potential in the game. However, I only played it about 3 times because I've found over-playing a demo can ruin the final game. I *think* based on my hazy memory of the demo, the framerate is improved, along with the graphics. The handling is tighter, and there are a variety of cars each with their unique handling. Some are far worse than the demo (you need to handbrake turn around every corner), some are very, very good (can take a normal racing line if you're so inclined).
The aim of the game is still very much wanton destruction. BLOW %$&£ UP! However, I came in expecting basically just that, but it offers a lot more. There are various race types, including the typical Sprint, Circuit, Lap Knockout from the NFS games - however this time if someone gets ahead you can blow them up! There's also a new 'race' type that is quite frankly, just fun bottled up and then sprinkled on the source code. Its called 'Rampage' and the aim of the game is to not only get to the end of the sprint under a specified time - you also have to blow up a certain number of cars. Suffice to say you'll be seeing so many explosions that you won't even be able to see 1m ahead of you, pure carnage! However, if you focus too much on carnage, you'll not post a good time; so there is definitely strategy to be found here.
There is also a 'rivals' feature, essentially one car in some races (or even multiple/all cars in certain race modes) is your 'rival' and highlighted as such with an arrow above it. If you blow this guy up, you'll get mental wreck points as well as immense satisfaction (he's usually tougher, faster, and likes to overtake you a lot). Its very satisfying to see 'Rival Assassinated', 'Rival Obliterated', 'Rival Shredded', etc. appear on the screen.
The music score is a mix of rock/metal, all ~95% instrumental. Sound effects very from very good, to not quite so good. Some of the explosions lack a strong deep sound, but it definitely doesn't detract from the game.
When you first play the game you'll have some difficulty using all the controls, despite being a racing game, you'll actually use all the available buttons on the pad (and thats with automatic shifting!). Don't worry though, in about 15-30 minutes you'll have no problems using the controls at the right times. Aiming your primary weapon can be quite difficult when your moving around the track, shooting, using the secondary weapon, using the handbrake, etc. But it helps to separate the best players from the average players. This might annoy some people, but just firing straight ahead isn't a problem, and you can switch to a weapon loadout that doesn't offer the ability to aim.
Most races restrict your choice of car and weapon loadout unfortunately. So a versatile driver is preferable, but you can basically get used to two or 3 loadouts and carry on from there.
The tracks I'm not so sure about. They're good, don't get me wrong, but I haven't come across a track where I've thought 'yes, this is a GREAT track'. I haven't seen all the tracks yet tho, so I'm hoping that they'll improve. This is about the only place I have found a real 'fault' so far. There is a nice burning building with a clock tower, its a very good landmark in multiple tracks. Driving through it is quite fun, with all this destruction you're bringing to the world, driving through a burning building is really quite apt. I've found no slowdown when driving through any tracks so far, even with lots of action on screen its been very stable. Quite impressive imo.
I'm not going to give the game a score, since inevitably they mean very little. I could give it a 90%, but would someone who hates driving games with a passion think that 90% means the game is good? Not at all. What I will say is if you like driving around, shooting things then this is the game to get. If you prefer a realistic driving game, and don't like arcadey racing then think twice before purchasing. I'm thoroughly enjoying this game, and I hope you do too
I think if you liked the demo, you'll definitely like the game. If you didn't like the demo, I'm pretty sure you'll hate the game Seems to be one of those love or hate games imo, probably why OXM gave it such a bad score - the reviewer didn't like it. Incidentally EGM gave it an 8.5, a score I definitely agree with.
Update: Found some slowdown at certain points on the map in the desert. Not enough to say 'well this game isn't worth buying', as its restricted to just certain parts of the track and once through it clears up. The vast majority of the game (~98%) has no slowdown
Right, on with the show. As I said I liked the demo, and could see a lot of potential in the game. However, I only played it about 3 times because I've found over-playing a demo can ruin the final game. I *think* based on my hazy memory of the demo, the framerate is improved, along with the graphics. The handling is tighter, and there are a variety of cars each with their unique handling. Some are far worse than the demo (you need to handbrake turn around every corner), some are very, very good (can take a normal racing line if you're so inclined).
The aim of the game is still very much wanton destruction. BLOW %$&£ UP! However, I came in expecting basically just that, but it offers a lot more. There are various race types, including the typical Sprint, Circuit, Lap Knockout from the NFS games - however this time if someone gets ahead you can blow them up! There's also a new 'race' type that is quite frankly, just fun bottled up and then sprinkled on the source code. Its called 'Rampage' and the aim of the game is to not only get to the end of the sprint under a specified time - you also have to blow up a certain number of cars. Suffice to say you'll be seeing so many explosions that you won't even be able to see 1m ahead of you, pure carnage! However, if you focus too much on carnage, you'll not post a good time; so there is definitely strategy to be found here.
There is also a 'rivals' feature, essentially one car in some races (or even multiple/all cars in certain race modes) is your 'rival' and highlighted as such with an arrow above it. If you blow this guy up, you'll get mental wreck points as well as immense satisfaction (he's usually tougher, faster, and likes to overtake you a lot). Its very satisfying to see 'Rival Assassinated', 'Rival Obliterated', 'Rival Shredded', etc. appear on the screen.
The music score is a mix of rock/metal, all ~95% instrumental. Sound effects very from very good, to not quite so good. Some of the explosions lack a strong deep sound, but it definitely doesn't detract from the game.
When you first play the game you'll have some difficulty using all the controls, despite being a racing game, you'll actually use all the available buttons on the pad (and thats with automatic shifting!). Don't worry though, in about 15-30 minutes you'll have no problems using the controls at the right times. Aiming your primary weapon can be quite difficult when your moving around the track, shooting, using the secondary weapon, using the handbrake, etc. But it helps to separate the best players from the average players. This might annoy some people, but just firing straight ahead isn't a problem, and you can switch to a weapon loadout that doesn't offer the ability to aim.
Most races restrict your choice of car and weapon loadout unfortunately. So a versatile driver is preferable, but you can basically get used to two or 3 loadouts and carry on from there.
The tracks I'm not so sure about. They're good, don't get me wrong, but I haven't come across a track where I've thought 'yes, this is a GREAT track'. I haven't seen all the tracks yet tho, so I'm hoping that they'll improve. This is about the only place I have found a real 'fault' so far. There is a nice burning building with a clock tower, its a very good landmark in multiple tracks. Driving through it is quite fun, with all this destruction you're bringing to the world, driving through a burning building is really quite apt. I've found no slowdown when driving through any tracks so far, even with lots of action on screen its been very stable. Quite impressive imo.
I'm not going to give the game a score, since inevitably they mean very little. I could give it a 90%, but would someone who hates driving games with a passion think that 90% means the game is good? Not at all. What I will say is if you like driving around, shooting things then this is the game to get. If you prefer a realistic driving game, and don't like arcadey racing then think twice before purchasing. I'm thoroughly enjoying this game, and I hope you do too
I think if you liked the demo, you'll definitely like the game. If you didn't like the demo, I'm pretty sure you'll hate the game Seems to be one of those love or hate games imo, probably why OXM gave it such a bad score - the reviewer didn't like it. Incidentally EGM gave it an 8.5, a score I definitely agree with.Update: Found some slowdown at certain points on the map in the desert. Not enough to say 'well this game isn't worth buying', as its restricted to just certain parts of the track and once through it clears up. The vast majority of the game (~98%) has no slowdown
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I loved the demo, sure it had slow down etc. but it was a demo, not the finished article.
Suffice to say, 'awwwww noooo' is universal across all languages 
To get gold in career, make sure you take down the rival, it gets you the wreck points you'll dearly need.
