I hate it.
I knew I would hate it from the moment I heard about the intent behind it, and I was right all along: I hate it.
The obvious effect is that it actively prevents me from having fun the way I want. Namely to pick a random car, upgrade it, race it, decide if I discard it to the trash pile or mark it to drive again later, and move to the next car. The game doesn’t allow that. At all.
And for what? I’ve read the words “progression” and “built not bought” thrown a lot, by devs, marketing, and proponents of this system. I cannot agree with that. I don’t care about these things to begin with, but I don’t think the system accomplishes those things in any meaningful way.
I think the system is poorly thought out, coming from a place of extreme gamification. It feels to me this is one of those situation where XP bars were tacked on as an afterthought on how to respond to those people who need “progression”.
I mean, this “progression” firstly has no business existing out of career mode. But then even inside it, it doesn’t make sense. It isn’t driven by career progression. It’s only car levels that dictate the build you can make, not how far you are into the career.
This is how you end up in the absurd situation of being stuck with a 298PI car for a 500PI event. And with the current patch it’s even more absurd because I have access to all the parts I would need to upgrade to the PI limit. But I can’t, because I don’t have enough car levels. I’ve done 3 out of 5 races so far, and my reward is my car still wouldn’t be eligible if this was restricted as a C-class event because it’s stuck in E-class still.
(I had to edit the above. I was mistaken and claimed it was a 400PI, D-class event. It’s not. It’s a 500PI C-class event. My car is two classes under the PI limit. Which makes it that much more absurd.)
That is poor design. I’m sorry-not-sorry for anybody who’s worked hard to make this game, I understand constraints of working on a big project, but this is poor design nonetheless.
The worst thing is I think the driving feel is absolutely marvellous. But none of the qualities of the game matter in my appraisal. It’s perhaps the worst racing game I’ve played because of that system alone.
It wouldn’t take much to change my mind. Just no locked parts and no CP outside career. I actually have a detailed suggestion on the matter, and I’m not above shameless self-promotion. I’d take complete removal as well, but I’m somewhat sceptical this is going to happen.
Until then my review will remain two thumbs down and don’t buy it to anybody who’ll listen.