For NASCAR fans, NASCAR Heat Evolution is cause for celebration. At long last, NASCAR is available on this generation on consoles. The feeling is, unfortunately, short-lived. Although boasting one of the most realistic Career Modes in recent memory, the rest of the package leaves a lot to be desired.

NASCAR Heat Evolution deserves credit for delivering a fast, solid game. Carving your way through the pack of 40 cars feels fast. Framerates are locked in without the slightest hints of slowdown. It’s so steady I want to forgive NASCAR Heat Evolution’s other visual shortcomings, but I just can’t.

Car liveries are intact, but for reasons I can’t quite put my finger on, something seems incredibly "off" about the car models. Much of this can be attributed to car damage. I can’t recall ever seeing a massive wreck during races, yet at the same time, car damage sometimes seems out of proportion with the force of impact.

Tracks feel underwhelming and lack the "big race" feel. Tracks look nice, though the ambient audio is incredibly flat. Engines lack power and music sounds stock. Much of the audio is, it seems, focused on what the driver actually hears in the cockpit. So, instead of music and crowd noise, there’s turn-by-turn advice. In theory this is cool, though is indicative of NASCAR Heat Evolution’s core issue; a focus on realism at the expense of fun.

Career Mode is the prime NASCAR Heat Evolution experience. You can jump into your favorite car and complete a quick race, or chase after a trophy in a series of Championship races. Throughout, you’re also challenged to complete a series of real life scenarios.

Of the quick play modes, Challenges are the more interesting, mostly because you have an actual goal to work towards. Here, winning a race isn’t enough; instead, you’re presented with a scenario and need to replicate the exploits of a driver. It’s a great mode, though the actual information you’re given (i.e. knowing what you’re actually supposed to do) is scant. The intro explains it, though a few weren’t very clear. Some sort of in-game reminder would be helpful.

The quick play modes eventually reveal NASCAR Heat Evolution’s biggest issue; the lack of interesting content. Each race is different, yet exactly the same. This isn’t completely NASCAR Heat Evolution’s fault; it’s the nature of the sport. At the same time, some of the stagnation can be directly attributed to the desire to deliver realism.

You’ll eventually get tired and want to try your hand at building your own NASCAR legacy. Career Mode is just as sterile and barebones as the rest of the package. There isn’t much to manage, nor do you do much in the way of tinkering. Conversely, Career Mode is incredibly realistic in terms of difficulty.

Most Career Modes start you at the bottom, only for you to quickly rise to superstar level after a few hours. In other words, they sell the sports fantasy. NASCAR Heat Evolution takes a different route. You start at the bottom with a sponsor-less car and NASCAR dreams. Your initial goals seem obtainable until you enter a race and realize your car doesn’t cut it against the established cars. Suddenly finishing in the Top 30 feels like it's impossible. It’s the cold splash of reality most Career Modes lack, and with reason – it’s not much fun.

The power difference is especially noticeable while playing with sponsored cars. Top 30 finishes aren’t just doable, but top 3 finishes are the norm. A part of me appreciates the distinctions, but it doesn’t make NASCAR Heat Evolution any less frustrating to play.

The focus on simulation-style play has some advantages. NASCAR Heat Evolution handles great and, like the framerate, is incredibly solid. Off the bat, I wholeheartedly recommend learning to drive in standard mode. Compared to automatic, the ability to shift delivers a little more speed.

You can also tweak you car’s setup between races, allowing you to adjust for each track’s unique demands. To most, NASCAR races are little more than driving around in a circle 200+ times. True fans know there’s a little more to it. Every course offers unique challenges similar to how every golf course plays differently. The goal is the same; the difference is in how you get there. I lack the real world experience, but can say every course feels different. It may lack the "big race" feel, but NASCAR Heat Evolution nails the actual racing.

NASCAR Heat Evolution isn’t a great game, but it does get a lot right. For NASCAR fans who want a challenging experience with a heavy lean towards realism, NASCAR Heat Evolution will fit the bill. There isn’t much else going on beyond the core gameplay, which will disappoint fans looking for more of a big time experience.

I was provided a copy of the game for my review by Dusenberry Martin Racing. The opinions I share are my own.