rec.autos.simulators

        This one showed up some time ago at my local Babbage's and I was
wondering if anyone has opinions on it?  As Rally Racing is something
that I am some what into, it caught my eye.  However, I've yet to hear
anything about it, and am a bit weary of just impulse buying a game..
Any reviews of it would be greatly appreciated (please email them to me
in addition to replying public if you do, as I don't read this news
group all that often, thanks!).

I just bought it this past weekend.  Here are my comments:

Graphics:
I have been used to 3dfx accelerated games and was very weary of a
non-accelerated game, as I LOVE good framerate and filtering.  I must say,
while there is no filtering, the graphics are very nice and smooth.  I have
all graphics options on (hires, far drawing...).  I have a K6-200 with a
Verite 2d card.  The only negative is that for areas where trees line the
road, it seems like you're driving next to a wall with trees painted on it.
 Have a choice of in-car with and w/o dash and chase views.  In past games,
I usually liked in-car with no dash.  This game, the in-car with dash is
absolutely incredible...I'll get to that later.   Fog and Night driving
look incredible.

Physics:
I am impressed with the driveabilityof these cars.  You have the choice of
about 6 reality-based rally cars, and each handles differently.  Different
surfaces act appropriately.  Just seems 'right'

Sound:
I haven't made my mind up of this one.  All views have their own sounds...I
like the in-car with dash sfx the best.  All in all quite nice, but not
outstanding.

Immersion:
OK, this is where the fun starts.  I own about every racing sim out there,
arcade and sim alike, and this one wins the "Being There" award for me.
There is something about driving in the rain or snow with the wipers on,
where the water drops hit the windshield with a smooth splat and snowflakes
with a dotted splat.  The effect is quite incredible.  The snow and mud
"dust" the cars as they drive.   The feeling of speed is great.  One you
get going really fast, you get that "Oh shit, I hope I don't hit a hairpin"
feeling.  

The In car view is most equated to the on bike view in Motoracer...very
immersive.  You views get the bump and shake, especially at high speeds and
it feels great.

The invisible walls are there unfortunately, which is the main spoiler of
immersion.  AI is changeable, and it is VERY hard to pass when tracks are
set to narrow and AI to Hardest.  You really have to plot and plan a clean
pass...way cool.

As you can tell, so far, I really like it.  I hope they come out with a
3dfx patch...it would be incredible.   I've only driven several hours, so
there is much to be explored.  There are large number of tracks (~30), each
unique and based on reality.  The scenics don't vary a huge amount, though.
  I like it MUCH better than Sega Rally overall.  

Rick

I bought it and like it a lot

I agree wholeheartedly, RAC Rally ROCKS!!!!!!

What about the heavy rainfall and thunder and lightning effects, great or
wot?

I personally didn't notice *too* much difference in the handling? but the
cars are cool anyway?

Snow and Ice are brilliant, very slippery, excellent for power slides
around those long bends, and tip-toeing around hairpins....

I love the *popping* of the turbo, very realistic.

I didn't think the AI is that good? certainly not as good as gp2?

All in all........Buy it today.

d:~))

 **Peter**

Roy

http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Heights/1333/
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This game is a blast, it has a lot of great arcade playability, and
I'm glad that I've bought it.. but...
I'll say it again:   The damn AI drives me up the wall!
The cars in front of you invaribly drift across the road into your
line. Now, I know they're blocking or whatever, but every single car
does this. You're at 120 mph hurtling down the road in the rain, and
some volkswagen in front of you is doing 60 mph and he decides its a
good idea to swerve Into you!  I'm trying to tell myself it's just a
game, but man this bugs me after a while.
just the price you pay for graphics I guess..

Rae
Together w/ Style
HTML Racing/ Monkey 97

R

Too bad it uses the RAD Game Tools MSS audio drivers (formerly known as
Miles Design drivers) which makes the use of a joystick unbearable with
GUS MAX soundcard.

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Hi All,

I just bought Rally Championship yesterday and it seems ok - nice change
of pace from GP2 and N2, but not in the same league - but I am not
having any luck with getting it to accept my wheel/pedal setup. I'm
using the CH Flight Yoke and CH Pedals, and when I pick the wheel/pedals
control and attempt to calibrate, it takes me thru the usual paces (turn
left and click button, turn right...), but ay the end of this routine,
it just loops back to the begining of the calibration routine rather
than jumping back to the control options screen. Has anyone out there
been able to get a similar wheel/pedal setup to work with Rally
Championship? I can calibrate my wheel fine as a "joystick", but I want
to use my pedals...

Any help is appreciated!

Thanks,
Paul

Europress has a patch for Rally Championship to allow using CH pedals.
They have a couple of other patches, too.

Their web page is http://www.europress.co.uk

John

% Paul: I too, bought Rally C and had the same problem, albeit with a
% Thrustmaster T2 wheel/pedals. My problem was I needed the TM "axial
% adapter" installed at my machine's game port exit.  This cured my
% problem.  I'm not familiar your wheel/pedal combo, but perhaps if you
% contact the company that made it, they can supply their version of TM's
% "axial adapter".  Or, it could be that TM's will fix you up?  TM does
% have a web site, but I've forgotten the URL.  Hope this at least gives
% you a direction to head off in.

Just for the record Thrustmaster's URL is http://www.thrustmaster.com

--
**************************** Michael E. Carver *************************
     Upside out, or inside down...False alarm the only game in town.

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