Expert: Octane - 11/24/2008

Question
Hello Mrs. Helen Joan Casper

Firstly, I would like to wish you "Merry Christmas!" in advance and would like to thank you very much for taking time away from your busy schedule to respond to this inquiry, I really appreciate it!

Now, I do not have "Gamefly" and paying $60.00 plus taxes for a game is a lot of money, especially if you don't like and are forced to return it to the store because the game sucked(where you get like $30.00 credit & you loose about $35.00 in the process).

I've never played any of the of the "Need For Speed: Underground" series or "Need For Speed: Most Wanted" and I own an Xbox 360.  Just so you know, I absolutely loathe "Racing Simulators"(Realistic car handling, car can be totalled, you have to watch fuel guage, etc...  A perfect example of this is "TOCA 2," which is a 100% racing simulator by the way) and "Hybrid Racing Simulators"(50% racing simulation & 50% arcade.  A perfect example of this is "Need For Speed: Prostreet") because I have a lot difficulties controlling my car and if by some miracle that I do manage to make it near the finish line, my car's performance is so horrible(due to collision damage, basically, I have a lot of "red" in by my speedometer)that the CPU will just blow right past me!  Oh, did I mention that your car can be completely detroyed so that you don't even get to finish the race too?

I do however own "Need For Speed: Carbon" and I absoutely love this game because the cars are very controllable, as a result I have a lot of fun playing it!  This game is a "100% pure arcade racer"(the focus is "fun over realism" and controlling your car is easy.).

..........MY QUESTIONS..........

(1)Is "Need For Speed: Undercover" a 100% arcade racer or something else?

(2)Is that recently released "Midnight Club" game(sorry, I forgot the exact title) a 100% arcade racer or something else?

(3)Do you have any recommendations for me?

Sincerely and appreciatively yours, LG

Answer
Gday LG,

(Unfortunately Helen has completely disappeared of Allexpert so you have to put up with me)

Need for Speed Undercover is Undercover is more similar to your Carbon then the Prostreets, not really a true racing game more of a race and chase.

The Midnight Club series is also more arcade then Simulator but your cars have more Bling.

If it is Arcade action you crave I would highly recommend you looking into the Burnout series.  (Simply because wanton destruction is not only encouraged but rewarded)  It's a really fun game.  You race by your own rules.  

I would also recommend you look into the Project Gotham Racing Series.  The online version of this where you can race against anyone in the world is really nice.  Great selection of cars.

Forza Motorsport series I liked it was very technical but my not be your cup of tea.  (It a good game but highly customizable)

Hope this helps.

Octane