Had a fair amount of time with it:
- Handling model is enjoyable(using a controller here, no assists). Its a fair bit less sim than Forza Motorsport 4, but it feels good. Cars are forgiving and there's generally a good amount of grip even on the dirt/gravel, but its all pretty predictable feeling and you're still rewarded for driving well for the most part. So my biggest concern about the game is gone at least. It drives far better than TDU or any other open world racer I've played.
- Graphics are pretty. 30fps is noticeable, but perfectly fine. Backdrops look real nice and there's very few jaggies. Nighttime looks ok. Nothing too special, but on par with most games that have night/day cycles. The piss filter doesn't bother me as much as it does most people, but I do think the overall setting of Colorado might wear thin. Still, should be a photographer's paradise.
- Sounds are nothing to get excited about. Didn't really expect anything in this regard, though. Imagine FM4, but with a little less in-your-faceness.
- The actual races were enjoyable and its nice to have an instant option to race rivals afterwards. AI doesn't seem overly aggressive or anything. Rubberbanding is definitely present, but I'm not sure why it bothers people so much. I suppose my biggest reason for wanting this game isn't the races or anything(at least not against the AI), so it doesn't affect me as much. Traffic AI is mountains less frustrating than in TDU. Very little swerving around right as I'm zooming by.
Overall, I think its pretty much as good as I was expecting. I think the map size will limit my long-term enjoyment of the game, but there should still be enough area to just run around and enjoy driving these cars free of the boundaries of circuits. The best time I had in the demo was turning off all the HUD elements, turning off music(did that from the get-go actually - its not my cup of tea) and just driving around aimlessly.
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