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#1
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TOCA Race Driver II (PS/2) - review of sorts...
I know it's not PC (as it were) but if anyone's interested, below is a
recent post I made about the PS/2 TOCA Race Driver II game after someone asked if anyone had played it. It's a bit sim-like so I thought you might be interested... "anyone played etc etc..." I have. And still playing TOCA RD (1) too, so have been able to do a fair comparison. Gear: PS/2 to 21" TV, Digital Surround, Logitech GT Driving Force Steering wheel. For: Graphics - Although some reviews have said that curbs etc are poor quality polygons, you really don't notice it. And what's more everything else makes up for it. It really is a nice game to sit back and watch the reply of, or maybe enjoy on a longer straight. Sound - Sound is excellent, esp' if you can get surround. hearing the cars behind and the engine in front etc is spot on. What's more in replay mode the classic doppler (Sic?) sound as a pack of cars go past is excellent. Physics - Great. Really do feel like you're connected to the road. Lots of feathering the throttle on exit of corners, and not so easy to lock up as it was in TOCA RD 1. Damage - Pretty good. but I'm not sure why I always have a dent in the back of the car like I've reveresed into a lamp post every time I brush a barrier. TOCA RD 1's damage was better, but the the car graphics are better in RD 2. Driving in a pack - The SEAT racing was a blast. Really close racing and probably the best racing in a game I've ever done (although I did feel I had a speed advantage!). Generally though the race experience is excellent. Against: Physics - I know it was a for, but it's just too real. Or just too stiffled. When you startup it defaults to "sim" which is basically massive traction control and a bit of ABS. It makes it easier to drive for sure, but you keep getting terrible bogging down out of the corners if you induce a little slide. If you select "pro race mode" (and why can't you save this!!!) then it's almost too much, anything with over 300Bhp is basically like driving it on ice. Lots of fun but really not a race winning proposition. There needs to be a sliding scale on the traction control or something to dial it in as you need it (a bit like F1 04). Oh, and rally mode (which I've been trying out) is ****-poor I think. Someone needs to be shot, after a few goes on GT3 or WRC2. Locked tracks - This is a big disapointment. When you start you have only two classes unlocked. And only a few cars at that. As you progress (see below) then you unlock more classes, but you have to be demon quick to unlock all the cars in that class. As a simulator it's too much like arcade mode. Career Progression - No chance to qualify. No chance to setup car. No chance to learn the track it seems. All a bit clunky when it comes to the career mode. Amazing as it is I think I preferred TOCA RD 1 for this, and I thought that was bad! Top speed handling - 150Mph in a DB9 down the back straight of Bathurst and if eyelid twitches I'm off... it's too sensitive with a L'tech Driving Force wheel. It's almost impossible to not crash when at full chat which is a real shame, and I'm dreading my first big car race at Monza or similar! Driving view : Why isn't there an uninterrupted head hight driving postion, ala GT3. I'm stuck with bumper cam, or roof cam which is plain silly when you're racing the F150 trucks... Overall : I'm frustrated every time I play it. But I'm really enjoying the racing. I think if I was to go and do a few laps of GT3 I'd probably go off TOCA RD2 quite quickly, but at the moment I'm enjoying the pack race feel. Is it better than TOCA RD1? Not sure, a I think so, but to be honest RD1 is a friend I know well, and a good race will get you to the front. In RD2 (and "pro race mode") a good race will get you into several spins... Would I recommend it? If you've got RD1 and GT3 probably not to be honest. If you want a very nice looking game and a more "arcade" feel than RD1 then it's probably the one. Final word: Perhaps I'm hard, after all I'm not a professional racing driver, so my ability to drive a GT40 round Leguna Seca without traction control might be accuratley represented in the game. But why have a game that reflects reality to readily? better to have one that flatters a bit ;o) |
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#2
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<snip decent review>
Question that comes to my mind is why the heck didn't you simply wait for GT4? |
#3
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Let it be known that on Fri, 29 Oct 2004 22:42:33 GMT, Destroy
> wrote: ><snip decent review> > >Question that comes to my mind is why the heck didn't you simply wait >for GT4? Online play, more real racing circuits, car damage, online play, more then 5 opponents, $30 price, and online play. |
#4
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In article >, crossbone > wrote:
>Let it be known that on Fri, 29 Oct 2004 22:42:33 GMT, Destroy > wrote: > >><snip decent review> >> >>Question that comes to my mind is why the heck didn't you simply wait >>for GT4? > >Online play, more real racing circuits, car damage, online play, more then 5 >opponents, $30 price, and online play. Yes, the choice of racing circuits in this game is terrific! A lot of courses you'll never see elsewhere. And getting tired of waiting for Godot, err GT4! |
#5
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"Destroy" > wrote in message
... > <snip decent review> > > Question that comes to my mind is why the heck didn't you simply wait > for GT4? > I was going to, but GT4 is now slated for early 05... too far away. And, compared to GT3, TOCA RD1 was the better race track racing game. Better AI and better (i.e. real) tracks. Don't really regret buying it I think. AndyC |
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