Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

ADVAN Racing plunges you into the high-octane world of Japanese motorsports with a surprisingly deep and varied gameplay suite. From the moment you fire up the game, you have access to 16 meticulously modeled cars representing both roadsters and rally beasts straight from real ADVAN competitions. This immediate availability keeps the momentum high and allows you to dive into competitive racing without the usual grind or unlock hurdles found in other titles.

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The control mechanics balance realism and accessibility, making ADVAN Racing enjoyable for both seasoned sim racers and newcomers. Steering feels precise, with weight transfer and tire grip accurately simulated, yet forgiving enough that casual players won’t be instantly punished for slight oversteer mistakes. Drift aficionados will appreciate how easily the game allows controlled slides through tight corners, giving rally car fans a taste of that sideways adrenaline rush.

Game modes cater to diverse playstyles: exhibition races let you quickly hop into any track and car combo, while the official ADVAN GP mode offers a structured championship experience that mirrors real-world racing calendars. Each event ramps up difficulty incrementally, challenging you to fine-tune setups—tire choice, suspension stiffness, and gearing—to stay competitive. For friends looking to settle scores, the one-on-one split-screen mode delivers head-to-head thrills that still hold up in local multiplayer sessions.

Graphics

Visually, ADVAN Racing borrows inspiration from Gran Turismo’s celebrated aesthetic and refines it with sharper textures and more vibrant lighting. Tracks boast dynamic environmental details, whether you’re tearing through a sunlit mountain pass or skidding across a rain-slicked rally stage. Reflections on bodywork and evolving weather effects help immerse you in Japan’s varied racing locales.

Car models are crafted with impressive fidelity, capturing body lines, sponsor liveries, and authentic ADVAN branding down to the smallest decal. Even the cockpit view—while lacking a visible steering wheel or detailed dials—still offers enough visual feedback to feel engaging. Although purists might miss a fully fleshed-out in-car dashboard, the cutaway interior ensures unimpeded visibility of the road ahead.

Performance remains steady on modern hardware, with frame rates rarely dipping even when particle effects like dust and smoke kick up during drifts. Load times between races are kept minimal, letting you sustain that sense of speed and flow. Overall, the graphical presentation stands out among mid-tier racing titles, delivering both style and substance.

Story

ADVAN Racing forgoes a traditional narrative in favor of authenticity, weaving its “story” through the structure of the official ADVAN GP. Rather than characters and cutscenes, you’re immersed in a competitive story arc that spans multiple racing disciplines—from tarmac sprints to gravel rallies—mirroring the real-world journey of a professional ADVAN driver.

The progression system itself tells a tale: your early exhibitions serve as training grounds, building up to the glory and pressure of championship events. Each podium finish feels like a chapter of your personal racing saga, marking milestones in your ascent through the ranks. The absence of a scripted plot allows you to write your own racing legend on track.

Complementing the core racing is a subtle undercurrent of Japanese motorsport culture, visible in pre-race ceremonies, pit-lane banter, and sponsor billboards. While there’s no voiced dialogue or dramatic cutscene, the ambiance conveys the prestige and intensity of ADVAN competitions, making every start-light countdown feel consequential.

Overall Experience

ADVAN Racing strikes a compelling balance between accessible arcade thrills and nuanced sim-style handling. Its diverse car roster, authentic ADVAN branding, and faithful track designs combine to deliver a racing package that appeals to enthusiasts seeking realism and casual fans craving instant fun. Whether you’re mastering a quick drift in a lightweight roadster or battling for championship glory in the ADVAN GP, the game offers enough variety to keep you engaged for hours.

While the in-car view could benefit from a more detailed dashboard, the game’s overall polish—from graphics to performance—outshines that minor oversight. The inclusion of split-screen multiplayer is a welcome nod to traditional couch competitions, and the robust exhibition mode makes it easy to jump in and out without commitment.

In sum, ADVAN Racing is a standout choice for anyone curious about Japan’s extreme car scene or fans of series like Gran Turismo looking for a fresh, focused racing experience. Its blend of real-world authenticity and solid gameplay mechanics ensures that both new racers and veteran drivers will find themselves returning to the track, lap after intense lap.

Retro Replay Score

null/10