Career mode? This vs Nascar 15?

[Vlad Tepes]

I'm an older NR2003 player, and I realize nothing will ever take the place of that game, however, if I'm looking for a casual NASCAR game to play in career mode (I never play online), how does this game compare to NASCAR 15?

[moto_sapien]

So your question prompted me to fire up N15 again and run a few races before responding.

The biggest frustration with N15 is the AI. Watch gameplay on youtube. In my experience it's hard to finish a race without getting spun or wrecked. NH3 AI seem much better. You can run 3-wide or side-by-side for laps without wrecking. And you can survive minor contact with the AI. So actually finishing a race is more likely in NH3 (more fun in career mode).

N15 graphics are a bit clearer, but not necessarily more realistic. I was never able to get my G27 wheel set-up correctly and the FFB is inconsistent and awkward at times. The N15 physics are different. The cars feel more alive, or touchy. The sensation of speed seems greater to me and the handling is more complicated. E.g. cars in your wake can significantly mess up the rear aero and cause you to spin. Hot tires are very slippery, you have to be very careful not to spin the rear wheels during starts, etc... I typically run with all the assists off. There is a graphic of air coming off the back of cars in front of you indicating you are in their wake. Not realistic but kind of cool. The spotter is much more talkative and interesting.

In N15 my paint scheme in career mode now has the wrong sponsors on it and won't let me run until I update it. But the game crashes every time I try to change it in the paint booth. You do have to run the game in windowed mode when using the paint booth or the game crashes. I got kind of frustrated with all bugs and quit playing.

So NH3 has 4 series. Dirt racing is fun once you get the hang of it. Everything is a bit more polished in NH3 and easier to use (menus, setups..). You don't get the same feed back through the wheel as N15 (when it does work). Everything is a bit more muted I guess. Career mode starts with the dirt series and works up. You get text and video feed back from teams and other drivers. Rivals will try to get even on track.. I never finished a season in N15. In NH3 I'm on season 4 or 5, now in the Xfinity series. Finished seasons in NHE and NH2 (very similar games). I've run a few full length races in NH2 and NH3 (at Indianapolis and Homestead). I believe I got through these with maybe 1 off-track or minor spin each.

So, unless you are very patient with bugs and AI you might not like N15 for career mode. For single races it might be ok.

[Murph]

Here's my opinion short and sweet: NASCAR '15 has better plate racing and better game mechanics and physics. NASCAR Heat 3 has better ai at the rest of the tracks, has a way more in depth career mode, so if you enjoy the way heat 3 is, heat 3's career mode is certainly better

[Vlad Tepes]

Thank you both for your comments! I did go ahead and purchase NH3, played a bit, then asked for a refund. I may have over-reacted, so I may wait for NH4 or buy NH3 again lol.. Not sure. But from your posts, I am convinced not to go back to N15.

On a side note, compared to NR2003 (with any mod or no mods), both Nascar 15 and NH3 seem to draw the tracks too narrow or show the cars too large.. I'm not sure if I'm making sense, but in NR2003, driving into turn 1 and into turn 2 at Daytona, with a pack of cars, I feel like I have more room on the track, even though 3 wide is 3 wide lol, maybe it's the viewing angle (I always leave things at default), but in both of the newer games, it "looks" like the cars are large and take up more of the track, almost like the track is not as wide..

I have no idea if it's just my perception, but it is noticeable.

Other than that, I will probably jump in to one of the newer games. I am glad to hear that you can finish a full race in NH3. I only play full races.
It sounds like NH3 is the way to go, over N15, but I may wait and see if NH4 improves anything.

One more question, do you see a reasonable amount of cautions, other cars blowing up, or dropping out, crashing each other, by the end of a long race?