NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK RACING

An options packed racer

By MARTY J OYCE

Sierra Sports NASCAR Craftsman Truck Racing certainly offers a different alternative to the more traditional racing simlations.

With a high degree of realism, and an accurate physics model, Craftsman Truck Racing recreates the feel and speed of driving a NASCAR truck with great authenticity.

Those gunning for a fast ride should leave this game alone, as CTR plays and feels like a truck should, with its slower than average acceleration and its inability to take corners with excessive speed. More emphasis must be placed on tactics and, by focusing on lap times rather than the opposition, victory will come.

The graphics are certainly nothing to write home about, but they are sufficient and, as with most racing games, detailed graphics play a distant second in the order of importance - playability is the key.

It must be said that those of us with graphic accelerators other than 3DFX will sadly be only to play in software mode. It concerns me that in today's computer world there are games that still only have this limited support.

Offering advice, your Crew Chief and Spotter will help you negotiate your way around the track. Add to this the use of the pits, and the plethora of garage set-up options and it soon becomes apparent that CTR has all that could be wanted in a racing game.

If you enjoy the thought of racing trucks then you will be more than happy with CTR, but if speed is your thrill then perhaps you should look elsewhere.

ORIGINALITY 85%
SOUND/GRAPHICS 75%
PLAYABILITY 70%
ADDICTION 70%
ENJOYMENT 70%