NASCAR '06: Total Team Control

Last year’s NASCAR 2005: Chase for the Cup made me appreciate the NASCAR style of racing because it was not only the best game the series has produced so far but also better represented the inner workings of what NASCAR racers face off and on the racetrack. Sure, I have an Ashley Judd-like soft spot for the likes of Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. (and not just because they’re dreamy) but it's the thrill of the chase for the top five positions that pulls me in. NASCAR 06: Total Team Control is here and it hopes to climb the racing circuit with its new additions that makes this another great game fans will enjoy.

Total Team Control, as the title suggests, introduces a new feature you’ll get a quick taste of the minute you even reach the main menu. Placed in the middle of a race, you’re taught to make good use of fellow teammates by issuing commands and you even get the chance to issue some commands but also to switch to your teammate ahead of you. That’s right, you’re now driving with your own team that watches your back every step of the way. Yes, this is what racing dreams are made of and with other neat new additions this year’s game has a lot to offer.

For starters there’s the inclusion of an interactive Crew Chief that not only offers plenty of advice or updates but also listens to you during the race. Using the Xbox Communicator headset, you’ll be able to activate a surprisingly large number of commands that range from telling your pit crew to prepare a half gas refill to finding out who has the lead. Sure, it’s funny barking a number of commands into the Xbox Communicator but the game responds to the various commands easily and it allows you to continue racing without having to stop or slow down to press the commands manually. When requesting a teammate to block for you isn’t enough you can always swap cars and play the role of your teammate. All these things might sound gimmicky on paper but they actually enhance the gameplay to a new and more interesting level.

Fight to the Top is the game’s main mode that has you creating a driver from scratch and guiding his career through a series of races while attempting to gain major sponsors, loads of money and a hearty fan base. This mode represents the wheeling and dealing of NASCAR racing as a business, so naturally you won’t be simply concentrating on races but also merchandizing and negotiating important contracts via your virtual phone. On the racetrack you can form allies that will allow you some space or, if you nudge into a car one too many times, get a rival that will make your life hell by attempting to block you or push you out of the race. Depending on how you drive you can acquire a reputation as a hero or a villain, but either way you still get a loyal following. As deep as Fight for the Top is, the mode isn’t very exciting so you either have to be a die-hard NASCAR fan or are the type of gamer that likes the business aspect found in most sports game’s Franchise modes.

Control-wise, the game still plays as excellently as the last two NASCAR games, but now with the new additions and the emphasis on team racing there’s more bang for your buck. You’ll be glad that controls don’t feel too much like a simulator (like ToCA Race Driver 2) because even in the game’s Rookie setting the opponent AI is still able to put up quite a challenge to the point that you’ll often have to request teammates to “work with you” or order a block. Then there’s the Intimidator button, that allows you to put pressure on a driver in front of you, that works to your advantage as well.

When you’re not knee-deep in the game’s career mode, you can always jump into the Dodge Speedzone and earn points by participating in a series of challenges that include passing, breaking or drafting. The Dodge Challenges mode that allows you to relive and change the course of some of NASCAR’s finest racing moments like getting Jimmie Johnson to win over all the Hendrick cars during the NEXTEL Cup or change the course of history by defeating Kurt Busch as Jeff Gordon. Season mode allows you to play through a single season in any of the four major series while in Chase for the Cup there are only ten races left in the series. There’s even online multiplayer that is just plain great.

Somehow Total Team Control is a step down from last year’s game when it comes to the graphics. This doesn’t mean the game is horrible to look at but it’s missing the incredible graphical details of last year’s game. Each racetrack has its own unique look but it is missing those little things like birds taking flight overhead or more realistic-looking fans. The cars do look good out on the track and when you collide with the wall you’ll be treated to plenty of sparks and decent car damage effects. There are so-so victory animations but watching your pit crew at work more than makes up for it.

I have to admit that I’m not a big fan of “mullet rock” tunes of the Joe Satriani and Peter Lehman type that makes up the majority of the game’s soundtrack. There’s a Black Crowes' song but it's not that good and it's repeated often throughout the game. The sound effects, on the other hand, really do stand out though and it’s nicely detailed to the point that you’ll wince at the sound of your car scraping the wall. Everything from the car engines to the pit crew at work sounds authentic. I recommend playing this with the Xbox Communicator since the Crew Chief speaks directly into your earpiece.

EA Sports’ brand of NASCAR racing just keeps getting better and better every year and NASCAR 06: Total Team Control just proves that racing is even more fun when you have a team to back you up. The additions made to the series don’t take away from the overall goodness, rather it just makes this a far more in-depth game fans of all things NASCAR could really appreciate. Buy this one if you’re looking for a great racing game to replace your well-worn copy of last year’s Chase for the Cup.

Gameplay: 9.2
Near perfection is the best way to describe the rock-solid controls that make this a racing game that handles perfectly enough to fit your racing style. The team commands make a major difference on the racetrack and thanks to the Xbox Communicator you don’t have to sacrifice your performance by having to push buttons during the middle of an intense Daytona 500 race. Good stuff, indeed.

Graphics: 8.5
Somehow this one is not as easy on the eyes as last year’s game but the graphics certainly look good on the Xbox. The tracks are true to the famous locales, but they lack detail and polish. While the cars look good they won’t wow you either. Still, there are nice effects in this game and you’ll notice it the second you scrape your car against a wall.

Sound: 8.0
Listening to that engine rev up and the sounds of loud screeching tires during a collision are enough to make a NASCAR fan drool. Top that off with cheering fans and some decent announcing work and we have a game that brings us a cool televised feel. What doesn’t work is the soundtrack that is just too much Joe Satriani for my tastes.

Difficulty: Medium/Hard
This is not an easy game even in its Rookie difficulty setting, but this is why we love the game. It’s challenging and the opponent AI gives us a run for our money. To add to the difficulty, rivals really hate you enough to try hard to block you.

Concept: 8.5
Team racing rules and Total Team Control just proves it with its ability to switch between teammates. The interactive Crew Chief also serves to make this an authentic NASCAR experience thanks to good use of your Xbox Communicator headset. There’s multiplayer action online and it is great.

Multiplayer: 8.5
The multiplayer game is fantastic thanks to a solid framerate online and offline, and an abundance of players online just itching to take you on. I encountered no problems challenging (and being challenged by) Xbox Live gamers matching my skill level.   

Overall: 8.9
NASCAR 06: Total Team Control isn’t able to surpass the overall greatness of last year’s game but with all the new additions this is one is downright enjoyable and a step in the right direction for the series. The game plays great for those who are die-hard fans or for the casual racing fan. You can’t go wrong with this one, either way.