Xbox 360 UK launch review

Project Gotham Racing 3

Of all the launch titles, this was the one we have been anticipating the most. We've been practically salivating over every screenshot of PGR since the first ones hit, and so it was with trepidation that we fired it up. Could it possibly be as good as we were hoping?

Obviously, one of the key selling points of the new PGR was the graphics, with developer Bizarre Creations promising us amazingly lifelike visuals. They delivered - to a point. Recent speculation has been that Gotham does not run at 1280x720, but runs at a slightly lower resolution internally and is then scaled up - we'd certainly suggest that is the case. The details are often there, but the game doesn't look quite as crisp as the other launch games.

The background scenery, in particular, looks amazing. Driving around the Las Vegas Strip, all the hotels, the palm trees are in place. Even the new Wynn resort is there, complete with the odd construction crane still outside. London is brilliantly recreated and although I've never been to New York to compare, that area looks pretty nice too. Buildings are exquisitely textured, and the detail of these can be clearly seen on a high-definition display. The game definitely has breathtaking moments.



Cars are fantastically detailed, although they suffer a little on the track. The car models in your garage - where you can walk round and inspect your collection acquired - appear a little different from the ones you get when racing, which can seem slightly lower-poly. Although they're all clearly recognisable, they can look a little flat up close.

The Gotham gameplay is still there and, to be honest, little has changed in that department. There's still the same races, the same Kudos Challenges, cone runs and the like - all the things we've come to know and love from Gotham. It's a little sad that there's no new gameplay mechanics, but then, I suppose we can't have everything.



One of the innovations the game does offer is GothamTV, which is a way of allowing spectators in games. This rather looks like a feature directly designed for e-sports, much in the same way of the Counter-Strike spectator mode. GothamTV lets you watch your own races back, but it also comes configured with a 'Heroes' channel, allowing you to watch the top few players in the world in their own races. This could, if exploited, be a hugely important innovation, and be a driver of online sport.

Undoubtedly, you should own this game. It's an amazing racer, and one of the best launch titles. The graphics can be spectacular, and the online play will keep you occupied for a long, long time. Just don't expect the crispeness of 720p.