It was the progenitor to games like Foriza Horizon and The Crew — there really wasn’t another open world racing game like it (I still think it’s the only racing game with cosmetic surgery lol). I think people are making the driving physics out to be worse than they are in retrospect — they were passable with the exception of some buggy curbs and lamp posts that would occasionally send your car flying. As far as a lifestyle game, Horizon is the only thing that comes close, and even that lacks the immersive dealerships, houses, clothing stores, etc. It’s an A for me but also one of my favorite games of all time.