Race Condition Reviews

Race Condition is built as a retro open wheel racer to which it succeeds, However it also contradicts that and its own steam page through the story mode's unbalanced AI (by design) that ensures one racer is constantly ahead of the pack with incredible speed; This coupled with other issues makes the gameplay frustrating despite its uplifting visuals. [h3]Elaboration[/h3] The choice to create a story about an AI rival cheating with a modified car works in making the player push and take all the risks they can to get first place & beat the odds, BUT it fails at providing a genuine "fair play" arcade experience as a result. The lack of delivery is not helped by track & pit stop design issues, near uncontrollable vehicle handling on corners and the AI's racing lines forcing them to skip corners entirely without losing speed. While the game has three pre-set handling setups available, they don't offer much when it comes to track conditions or track variation; your selection of pre-set comes down to which set up you can handle whether its high speed or low speed; although low speed will have you barely keeping up with the AI; Not to mention corners are extremely finicky with ineffective brakes that can't manage your momentum on corner entry, usually resulting in a spin, flying into a wall at Mach 10 or losing positions by slamming to a halt to avoid that. Most tracks are functional however there are a few tracks that have poor layouts that only the AI can take full speed or without losing positions; e.g. there's a track with a tight chicane after 350km straight followed by a hairpin turn that you have to sacrifice positions (if you're in the pack) in order to take without issue. The game is based around Formula 1 or Open Wheel racing and yet it's near required and enforced due to the aforementioned AI pathing that you cut corners by driving through sand/gravel traps in order to beat and surpass the AI who themselves match & amplify their speed based on your positioning (rubber banding). On top of the Asphalt being irrelevant on corners, the Pit Lane may as well be a shortcut on certain tracks as it barely limits your speed during refuel and can provide you with a few seconds lead while getting a fuel tank fill up in the process. I should note that there are issues with AI name tags obstructing your view when in close proximity, making close racing or overtakes on straights a hassle when you can't see the corner entry. There's also the case of every car crashing upon race completion that while entertaining to watch after a hard race, feels out of place given the open wheel car format. I completed the world tour experience in three hours with first place podium positions on all tracks. The experience was average and as someone who has no plans for multiplayer or split-screen sessions, three hours is all I’ll get out of the title. [h3]Conclusion [/h3] I don't think Race Condition is worth the full $10 or the recent $5 on sale price; [b]HOWEVER I do recommend the title if you can get it cheaper than the on sale price, otherwise play the demo as from what I've heard you won't be missing much if you choose to do so. [/b]

Fun and challenging racing game! I wish it was longer. Handling + Music + AI + Tracks + Story (rivalry with Dickmann) +