Codemasters have built an impressive reputation for creating outstanding racing titles. One of these is the unique and innovative Pro Race Driver. After a successful launch on the PS2 last year, the popular racing simulation is coming to the Xbox and PC this spring. The new edition features improved graphics, and some enhancements with extra  game modes and exclusive levels. Join us as we preview this unique title and find out why it should appeal to racing fans.

Unlike most other racing titles to date, Pro Race Driver takes a unique approach that’s more akin to an RPG than the usual straight-ahead driving simulation. Instead of playing as an anonymous driver, you play the game as Ryan McKane, a young rookie driver who’s looking to make a name for himself on the circuit. Players will thus have a rooting interest in the outcome of the race, giving Pro Race Driver a unique spin on the genre. The game will have a more cinematic feel than most other driving titles and will include cut-scenes and an interesting plot. While the basic elements in the previous version are intact, this new edition will feature enhanced graphics that will take advantage of the extra power on the Xbox. Pro Race Driver should include numerous enhancements that will take advantage of the advanced hardware power of the PC an Xbox. Additionally, the Xbox and PC versions will support Dolby 5.1. The changes go beyond aesthetics because the new edition will include a new qualifying round before each championship race. These enhancements should add depth to the racing while allowing players to experience entirely new features such as Australia ’s infamous Shoot-out qualifying round. The PC version will also include support for online play. The races themselves sound quite intense, with up to 20 cars on the track for each race, creating intensely competitive bumper-to-bumper races that won’t be decided until the checkered flag is reached.

As stated earlier, PRD allows you to take on the role of a real-life touring car professional and focuses on his journey from a no-name test driver to an international champion. While this may seem limiting, the game includes 13 different championship modes that encompass many international races. PRD’s garage encompasses 42 real tour and sports cars, each of which you can customize and adjust between rounds. Following McKane’s career will take players through 38 real-life racing circuits while introducing a dramatic storyline that should immerse players in the story. Following McKane’s story will take players to some of the world’s most famous courses including the Bathurst , Silverstone and Hockenheim tracks. Pro Race Driver will accurately reproduce these courses down to the smallest detail with realistic lighting and weather effects. These effects are going to be much more robust in the new versions to take full advantage of the extra graphical horsepower. Other changes in the Xbox edition include massively increased draw distances, increased texture size, greater color depth. Pro Race Driver’s vehicular details will also feature new elements such as fully modeled wheels and dramatic particle effects that should make it look spectacular.

Pro Race Driver will include and extensive garage full of supercharged racing vehicles, and there will be unique vehicles for each race. Some of the standard models include the Alfa Romeo 147, the Lexus IS200, MGZS, Peugeot 406, Dodge Viper, AC Cobra, Suburu Impreza, and many other models. The game will also allow players to race a number of classic vehicles including the Doge Charger, Mini Cooper S, Mitsubishi Lancer Eco VI GSR, AC Cobra MK4 CRS, the classic 1978 Corvette and TVR’s Tuscan R. Finally, several concept cars are available later in the game such as the Marchos LM 6000, Koening C63, Toyota GT1, TVR Cerbera Speed 12 and the MG Lola Le Mans. The vehicles look incredibly realistic and the models are detailed. Each car has been faithfully reproduced down to the smallest detail from wheels to windshields. The cars will also feel authentic because its physics engine has been tested by actual professional race drivers to ensure its accuracy. This means that they should handle and control just like their real world counterparts. PRD will have more than 30 cars on the track at the same time. Unlike other driving games that feature licensed cars, the graphics engine actually allows for realistic high-impact damage to show up after crashes. The crash physics are also quite extensive, which is a nice change of pace from the norm. The production polish is evident in the special effects such as light-sourcing, lens flares and, extensive weather effects. Pro Race Driver will also allow players to view the action with extensive replays and view the action from numerous angles.

This latest edition of Pro Race Drive will include several modes of play such as Championship and Qualifying rounds that should add to its depth. The most interesting aspect of the game is the career mode, where you take the role of McKane, a driver low in the ranks who you take to the top of the field by winning races and earning sponsorships. At the beginning of the game, his father is killed in a car crash. Since his father never approved of him, he has a strong motivation to gain the championship and validate himself. During the course of his career, McKane will also meet many characters including the members of his racing team and his family. However, PRD isn’t complete fantasy and it will also include real life drivers. This definitely sounds like a unique racing title but its plot-driven approach doesn’t seem like it has detracted from the actual racing. This looks like an intense racing experience and the ambitious design seems like it will flourish on next-generation hardware. Pro Race Driver appears to be a rare breed, the port that actually exploits the most powerful hardware to give the owners of more advanced systems a superior aesthetic experience. PRD’s underlying design aspects are impressive and the numerous technical enhancements should only improve an already solid game. While there are a flood of racing titles on the market, Pro Race Driver’s unique, innovative approach should help to differentiate it amongst the crowded shelves.