General gameplay[edit]
Like many racing games, the game has a "quick race mode" and a career mode (called "dynasty mode"). The initial choices of cars and tracks in "quick race mode" are very limited; additional choices are unlocked by progress in dynasty mode". Initially, dynasty mode has a limited number of events available to enter. Placing third or better in races unlocks new races, series of races, and championships. At the same time, the game models the development of the driver using a system that is almost identical to a role-playing video game.
This elaborate system of developing the driver's experience is used to toughen up both the player and the car that he or she uses. Experience points (referred to in the game simply as XP) are acquired for various achievements during a race, such as passing opponents, or driving a clean lap. Similar to the way that XP is lost after dying in some role-playing games, failing to finish the race cancels all XP earned in the event. When certain thresholds of XP are reached, a new driver level is achieved, and a Skill Point is awarded. These Skill Points can be used to develop driver and car. Additional Skill Points are awarded for other achievements. Some races award a skill point for beating a particular opponent for the first time. There is also a list of dynasty achievements, the completion of which awards a number of Skill Points. One such achievement, for example, is going faster than a certain speed in dynasty mode.
Equipment and customization[edit]
All cars in the game are manufactured in real life by Alfa Romeo and in any race the player always races against seven other instances of the model that he or she is driving. The player cannot choose his or her vehicle for a race, except in the "quick race" mode,[3] and even then the opponent vehicles are all the same model. Cars assigned to beginners can go up to 110 miles per hour (177 km/h). Advanced cars, however, can go 200 miles per hour (322 km/h).
Cars cannot be customized; instead it is the driver who gets customized, although some driver customizations do affect car acceleration, handling, and damage resistance. Various achievements in the game, primarily achieving XP point levels, are rewarded with Skill Points which can be distributed across nine different categories to affect car and driver characteristics. In addition, the player wins racing gear—helmets, suits, gloves and boots—by winning "gear races" or by achieving a certain number of victories (as well as knockouts). Gear can also be earned by passing challenges. The gear a driver is wearing can be changed to further affect driver (and car) characteristics. All the gear that is unlocked in the game has a minimum level requirement. Players who do not meet the minimum requirements cannot wear the new gear until they reach that experience level. Different computer-controlled opponents in a race will have different skill points and gear, resulting in differing driving skills and endurance of both car and driver. All opponent drivers have names shown in lineups and results.
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SKU: 853333001035
$6.99Price