A must buy for all racing fans
Written: May 02 '05
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Good story, good graphics, cars take damage, LIVE play
Cons: Floaty physics, damage models aren't so great
The Bottom Line: While it falls short in some areas, this game does so many things right. Definitely a must buy for all racing game fans.
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| catchflipside's Full Review: Toca Race Driver 2 for Xbox |
Have you ever played a racing game and then sat back and wondered what it would be like to not only race, but to be a part of a story being played out on the screen in front of you? Well, you’re in luck. ToCA Race Driver 2 Ultimate Racing Simulator might be just what you are looking for.
While ToCA 2 may not be the definitive sim racer out there, what it lacks in sim detail, it makes up for in variety and story. With 15 different types of motor sport events, 50 real world tracks, and tons of licensed cars, ToCA has enough variety for any racing fan. And, for some championships, you’ll get a choice between two types of motor sport events. Start one race and decide you don’t like its style. No problem. Just retire from that championship, and choose the other style.
In between each of these rounds and sometimes after special races, you’ll get to watch ToCA 2’s captivating story. While it is mainly told in short, first-person view cut scenes, it keeps you coming back for more. But, it doesn’t stop there. The story goes with you to the track as you may be trying to defeat racers that your coach just told you about or listen to the coach give you advice as you race. While what your coach says is a lot the same from track to track, it changes based on your placing in the race giving a deep sense of immersion. And, of course, when something big happens – like a big crash – your coach will make sure to inform you of it and scold you from time to time.
Some of these crashes can be caused by the floaty feel of the cars. They seem a bit loose when compared to some other racers. For example, drive into an area of sand on Laguna Seca, and you’ll find yourself facing the opposite direction on the track before you know what happened. But, this is where you get to see how well ToCA 2’s AI is done. If you find yourself facing backwards on the track, you’ll get to see the other drivers slam on their breaks or swerve out of the way to miss you. To add to the challenge, each type of car from the different motor sports handles differently on the same track and the AI responds in kind. But, the more you race, the more you’ll be able to learn and compensate.
Each of ToCA 2’s championships has its own set of goals, and the goals can vary between finishing in a certain place to making a certain amount of money. They aren’t too much to handle, but they will seem overwhelming at first simply because there is a large learning curve to this game. But, when you do finally get the hang of it all, the game becomes a lot of fun. It’s really exciting to watch those tough drivers fall behind as you begin to make perfect turns and whip around the track.
The tracks look clean and clear, and you’ll see very few jaggies as you admire this game’s draw distance. Cars have a lot of detail, but the reflections don’t pop like other racers on the box. I actually had to force myself to look for them, as they just don’t stand out. But, unlike a lot of licensed car racing games, these days, these cars take damage.
Unfortunately, It doesn’t seem like the damage is really as varied as it should be. Get tapped in the rear right fender or get slammed in the rear left fender, and you’ll see the rear end of the car bend in exactly the same pattern each time. But to throw a wrench in the gears, with each hard hit, your car performs worse and worse. Take too many hits in the gearbox, and your car will begin to get very erratic when switching gears. Too many hits in the engine, and you’ll hear the engine start to grind as you wind up.
On the other hand, when you don’t slam against walls or run into too many other drivers, the cars themselves sound great. Each type of car has its own unique whine or rumble which gives the feel of driving the real thing. One other thing I really do like about this game is its soundtrack…or the lack thereof in this case. While ToCA 2 does allow you to use your own custom soundtrack during a race, it does not come with one of its own adding to the realism of the simulator.
This game can be frustrating as you will find yourself restarting races quite often, but the story and the variety make it all worthwhile. Playing online via Xbox LIVE is a treat as you can have up to 12 players at a time, and I have yet to see any lag during online play. ToCA 2 is definitely a must have for all racing game fans.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
catchflipside
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Reviews written: 2
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