Fans of racing games who want a more realistic take on the professional racing scene may want to consider gettingNascar Rivals. Unlike other casual racing games,Nascar Rivalssimulates the 2022 Nascar Cup Series, giving players a means of using both existing teams and custom ones to prove their supremacy and perhaps even rewrite history - potentially replacing 2022 champion Joey Logano with their own version of events.
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Aside from the game’s similar team-management system to other games,Rivalsis unique with its “rivals” system, allowing player drivers to forge friendships and rivalries with other AI drivers depending on their performance in the race. With these things in mind, just what shouldNascar Rivalsnewcomers do in order to work their way to absolute supremacy?
10No Shame In The Difficulty
One of the most important things players should consider regardingNascar Rivalswould be its inclusion of Difficulty Presets, something it shares similarities with otherracing games. At its core, this difficulty slider adjusts the intensity of the races in general, as well as how tricky it could get for players to both control their vehicles and establish their supremacy in races.
The Difficulty Presets range from Casual, Normal, Hard, and Expert. Each setup affects a set of Gameplay characteristics that involve car identifying, damage, and race length, as well as Driving characteristics that involve driving aids and AI settings. It’s ideal for players to start from Casual and progress their way upward as they get a hang of the game, with Expert giving the most “realistic” experience for console play.
9Ease Up On Gameplay Expectations
Given its nature asa console racing gamefor a portable handheld like the Switch,Nascar Rivalsisn’t necessarily an extremely “difficult” game compared to other hardcore titles likeProject Cars. Players would immediately notice that the brake and gas don’t provide as much input on the get-go, and it’s only when using a Switch Pro Controller that there are more precise inputs for these controls.
Another important reminder for players in this regard is to remember the kind of third-party wheels they’re using when playingRivals. For instance, the racer-popular Hori MK Wheel isn’t wholly compatible with the game, making it slightly more problematic to use than the usual wheel.
8Adjust Specific Settings To Preference
There’s a reason specific settings exist inNascar Rivals, and how this fully optimizes one’sracing game experienceis the most important use of this menu. Instead of focusing on how to make the races more challenging,Nascar Rivalsplayers may want to start adjusting these options to their liking.
It helps to remember that while there aren’t any custom option setups players can apply to their experience, there is a range of things players can still adjust for their experience. These include options like damage, race length, tire wear, flags, and even DNF or did-not-finish settings.
7Join A Team First In Career Mode
As with otherNascarracing games,Nascar Rivalsalso allows players torelive some of the most exciting Nascar racesout there with its Career Mode. With this mode, players can choose to either create their own team or join a pre-existing team, both of which will eventually branch out and allow players to choose to play as more teams depending on the kinds of things they can achieve in the course of the game.
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For newcomers, it’s best to join a team first in order for players to slowly gauge the overall management experience. Remember, the game needs players to fulfill certain objectives for the teams they’re choosing, and these objectives usually “match” with a particular playstyle that a certain team is encouraging. Using these teams and trying out these respective styles is a great way for players to familiarize themselves with the game’s deeper career mechanics before eventually branching out to form their own team.
6Get Strategic With Sponsor Goals
5Grab A Super Speedway Car
Unlike other racing games on consoles thatfocus on street races,Nascar Rivalsgives players a quick tour of the many kinds of races players can participate in, similar to the overall franchise. These include Speedway, Short Track, Super Speedway, and Road Courses - all of which also serve as categories of specific car ranges.
This makes team management rather tricky, as players don’t just need to pay attention to winning races, but ensure they have a car that is built specifically to handle these challenges. For the beginning player, it’s ideal for them to start grabbing a Super Speedway Car. While the Daytona 500, the season’s first race, often encourages a usual Speedway or Road Course Car, opting for a Super Speedway Car can secure players relatively safe spots for both the Speedway and Super Speedway Races in the bulk of the season.
4Think Long-Term When Upgrading Cars, Engineers
As withother racing games,Nascar Rivalsalso allows players to upgrade their various vehicles. In the game proper, players can improve on various departments of a certain car, namely Engine, Aerodynamics, Suspension, Speed, and Accuracy - all of which with their respective sub-categories. Likewise, players can also improve upon their various staff and personnel such as Engineers to further improve the kinds of buffs they can provide their cars.
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Ideally, players should have maxed out upgrades for these two (2) departments, right? However, players need to remember to conserve their limited resources before going crazy with their upgrades. For instance, players may first want to consider building a decent car and a decent team that has middling performances for the first season, and slowly build their way to a niche in the seasons to come.
3Check Calendar For A Basis In Planning Upgrades, Decisions
Contrary to other generic racing games,Nascar Rivalsinstead follows a career mode that is more strictly constrained in its original material. For instance,Nascar Rivalsfollows the standard Nascar Cup Series, which is a series of 36-races that start in Daytona and end in Phoenix. Depending on the player’s settings, allowing DNF will have players forfeit the race if they crash hard enough. Likewise, simulations are available for players who don’t want to directly compete but still manage toearn credits in the racing game.
What’s interesting here is considering the count of races first when deciding on the kind of upgrades and purchases for one’s team. For instance, there are six Road Courses, six Super Speedway Races, eight Short Tracks, and sixteen intermediate Speedway Races. In turn, it’s ideal that developing a Speedway Car for these races is the way to go. This is also probably an ideal order of prioritization when choosing specific cars.
2Practice Against Other Players In Multiplayer
One of the best waysNascar Rivalsplayers may be able to train their way to the top is to actually capitalize on the game’s multiplayer option. This allows up to sixteen players to contend with themselves or a number of AI cars, with a host being able to choosemost racing detailsthat the game often sets in a race. Theoretically, this option for the racing game can make for more enjoyable party nights for players who have their Nintendo Switches with them.
However, one better way of using this mode is to constantly practice against both real players and AI. With this mode, players may be able to hop straight into a race and practice their strategies against other AI drivers and especially real people. It helps to practice new tactics against other real racers, as this determines how likely the AI is to react a certain way based on how real players react to the player’s approach.
1Establish Rivals, Partners In Matches
Unlikeother racing gamesthat are straightforward in their approaches,Nascar Rivalsis rather more specific in its “social” component. As the name implies, the game’s AI is more careful in studying the patterns of players and their behavior when contending with other racers.
For instance, players get into rivalries with other racers if they do them dirty throughout races, making these drivers more eager to ruin the player’s day in matches. Likewise, players who help or work well with other drivers will have them statistically likely aid players in future races. Theoretically, friendly drivers may be able to pin down aggressive rivals to ensure they’re not as intrusive in a player’s progress.
