Metacritic Games

IndyCar Series (Playstation 2)

The main game offers immediate high-paced action and player-friendly handling, making the feel both authentic and realistic. It is easy to pick up and play and offers a dynamic difficulty management system to keep the action packed, 200mph maneuvers coming thick and fast. Modes include Quick Race, IndyCar Series Season, and The Indy 500. Features realistic AI and team tactics modeled after real IndyCar Series drivers and tems. Learn more about IndyCar Series tactics from the Masterclass, taught by Indianapolis 500 winner Eddie Cheever Jr. Create your own racing drivers and teams with your own personalized car. IndyCar Series TV-style presentation, which enhances the immersive gameplay experience. [Codemasters]

Codemasters
Racing, Driving
Players: 2
E (Everyone)
Developer: Brain in a Jar
Released May 20, 2003

Overall Metascore

This is a weighted, normalized average of all individual scores given by critics, on a scale of 0 (worst) to 100 (best).

69 / 100

Critic Reviews

85 IGN
The challenge level is great, the dicing through traffic is adrenalin inducing (I had to force myself to release my death grip on the controller a few times), and the focus required to play is high. It just feels real.
85 Gamezilla!
Codemasters have succeeded in doing what they set out to do. And that’s providing Indy Car racing fans with the most realistic and entertaining game to date. If you fall into that category, it’s a no-brainer.
83 GameZone
I have to say that the biggest thing that I found really good about IndyCar was the fact that the physics weren’t perfect, but pretty darned close.
80 Cheat Code Central
Graphics aside, this game is very realistic and sim fans will be rewarded with hours and hours of oval-racing Nirvana.
80 PSM Magazine
Likely to bore gamers who grew up on a diet of extreme games, but those of you who can look past the lack of a turbo boost wil discover a game with more depth than your average racer. [June 2003, p.32]
76 Gamers' Temple
One of, if not the only, Indy style racer out there. So if you’re a big Indy fan then this is your game.
75 Sports Gaming Network
The lack of USB wheel support and no mirrors bring the ranking down significantly. Every time I gear up for a race I think of how much better this game could have been.
70 Armchair Empire
What ultimately makes IndyCar Series good instead of great is it’s inability to really target an audience.
70 BBC Sport
The effort required to make any progress is so frustating that you'll undoubtedly start to wonder what you're doing playing an IndyCar racer when there are plenty of decent Formula 1 games out there already.
70 Game Informer
Graphically, this game is an ugly stepchild, but it does have a great sense of speed. [June 2003, p.105]
70 Eurogamer
The award for best/only recent IndyCar sim that manages to be strangely absorbing while faithfully reproducing the sport, albeit in an aesthetically displeasing way, goes to... IndyCar Series!
70 Adrenaline Vault
Fundamental flaws unjustly hamper the gameplay, and the lack of support for many USB wheels is nothing short of devastating.
69 Game Chronicles
IndyCar Series does a remarkable job of simulating just about every aspect of the IndyCar season and the world famous Indianapolis 500 right up to the point where you get behind the wheel.
67 GameSpy
I can really only recommend this game to those who appreciate and enjoy all the nitty-gritty of the Indy racing sport. If you are one of those people, add about 15 points to my score.
60 Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
The tension isn't there when it comes to working on race tactics. [Aug 2003, p.99]
60 PSX Nation
From gameplay modes to bonus stuff and graphics, “IndyCar Series” is to the PS2 what “Flag 2 Flag” was to Dreamcast: a forgettable racing appetizer.
58 GameSpot
The modes available in IndyCar Series are all pretty shallow, which not only detracts from the overall experience, but also significantly reduces its replay value.
58 Gaming Age
Not that I'm a masochist, but crashes are a reality in racing, lets give the player a reason NOT to crash instead of getting away with poor decisions.
41 TotalGames.net
A well-presented, bland, unforgiving and ultimately undesirable game that’s best avoided amongst an infinity of better racers on the market.
40 G4 TV
The physics appear sound and there are plenty of ways to tweak your vehicle, but the game has no spark. Easy mode is too dull and not at all true to the sport, and normal and pro modes are too demanding.

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