rec.autos.simulators

You will be surprised at how good it really is.

I have spent about six hours during the last week with GT2,
and IMHO it's even better than GT.

Cons:
The graphics aren't up to current PC standards.
The standard control options are limited. (Acceleration is on/off).
Transitions between menus are slow.
Always defaults to running a replay when you finish a race, test, license,
etc.).
No multi-player (only split screen two-player racing in arcade mode).
The car modeling isn't GPL, but it's as good as any other PC sim.
No force feedback.

Pros:
When racing the framerate is fast and smooth.
The replays are wonderful.
Engine sound is good, and you can turn off the music.
Arcade and Simulation modes.
Hundreds of cars, inlcuding American Muscle cars.
Career mode, with License tests. (Easier to earn than GT)
Many car tuning options, with test tracks.
Dozens of real and fantasy race tracks. (Laguna Seca is great)
Rally cars and courses. (Pikes Peak)

Think about this, for the price of a mid-range video card, about $150,
 you can pickup a PlayStation, memory card, and GT2.

BTW - would anyone care to offer their recommendations for PSX controllers?
Are any of the wheels worth buying? Keep in mind that I'm hard to please,
having been spoiled by my LWFF!

Alan

beleive my PSX experiences ( CMcRae, GT, VRally 1 VRally 2 ),

BUY A NEGCON , an analog left-right ( you have to twist the negcon to turn
lef/right , very similar movment as turning a wheel ), 2 seperates analog
buttons ( yon can
push plus or less ),  to accel/brake. + an anlogue trigger in front of pad
 L1 ).

when correctly configured and calibrated ( in GT / GT2 ) , it's really rally
accurate
trajecotry driving line that you'll have !!!!

--
============================================================================
==
Sebastien Tixier - Game Developer

Company Web Site              http://www.eden-studios.fr
Games developed                http://www.vrally.com
Personal/Friends web site   http://www.multimania.com/hclyon
============================================================================
==

It does have a nice feel to it for a console title (GT1).

Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.

Hello,

Regarding your statement on GT of course it is good....

Now for the price of even less than 150$ you can get BLEEM which allows you to play PSX games on your PC, with YOUR LWFF....

If you are a bit vicious you can even get a "cracked" bleem and a "yellow" GT (for the color of the CD)....

mail me if you want more.

Bye

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The views expressed in this email are those of
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University of York, British Aerospace or any
other party.

Alan

Are the users of this NG in agreement? And can we can break out of the
"PC sims only" attitude that appears to be an unspoken rule.

Alan

I'd also like recommendations for controllers ... and I'm also a
Logitech FF wheel user, so a bit spoiled in that department. Not sure
I'd like the "cheapo" PSX wheels. What about those handheld racer
controllers, with the dial for the wheel? Anyone have experience with
them? Are they better than the little analog joysticks? Does the
racing dial controller also have analog inputs for steering/braking?
What abut gear-shifting, are there buttons in convenient locations?

Joe McGinn
_________________________
GA-Sports Writer
http://www.ga-sports.com/

Joe McGinn
_________________________
GA-Sports Writer
http://www.ga-sports.com/

Does it work with analog PC controllers like the Logitech wheel?

Joe McGinn
_________________________
GA-Sports Writer
http://www.ga-sports.com/

Heck, the phsyics and play blow away quite a few PC games, including
the much touted N3.  I'm sure I'll hear it about that one but if one
goes unbiased they'd have to admit it.

PSX 2 should fix that if they stay with the DVD plans.  It would be
interesting to see a photorealistic racing game like GT2k.  Who the
heck would need ESPN? :)

Go with one of the analog dual-shock controllers. They allow full
motion on both steering and throttle and work very well for GT/GT2 and
other games. Cost is about $30 at any Circuit City and likely cheaper
elsewhere.

True.. and it seems that there are two or three menu's that are just
repeating information and could be skipped with no loss to the game.
Probably to enhance the game (less is more in this case).

Another true that would be nice to have a cancel. I guess they are so
proud of their work on it (which is excellent given what they have to
work with) that they want to make sure everyone see's it. ;)

Haven't tried for 2 player yet but there is supposed to be a memory
card battle which would lend towards two player simulation mode. Come
to think of it, I've never even put that CD in yet!

And better than most!

Again, try the dual shock. It works quite well right down to giving
you a 'feel' for the front wheels clawing out of the corners in the
Ruf AWD's and the Skylines or the torque steer in the FWD's. Heck,
it's a blast when sliding around the Escort Rally Car on Pikes Peak
and feeling the dirt 'moving' under your hands.

One other con; the Ai needs to get a bit more agressive, especially in
endurance races. It's too easy to win since they might try to take a
60 lap race with only one tire change, usually at the last lap or two
(duh)? Otherwise they need to progress in skill like they did in GT.

It also changes as you mod the car. Different intakes and exhausts
change the sound. Upgraded turbo's get more pronounced right down to
the pop-off valve (which gets downright irritating after a short
period of time) It also adds a turbo boost guage which reacts and
reaches different limits as you mod the cars.

It could be a bit harder to earn them.. I rather miss the maximum lap
time events which made you work for the higher licenses instead of
handing them to you after 5 minutes of figuring them out.

It would be nice to run rally cars side by side (which is not the way
ti's done in reality, at least not unless one catches another) as an
option.. sometimes you get lucky if you choose the special under the
marque but those are few and far between.
__________________
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day.
Teach a man to fish and he will sit in a boat drinking beer all day.

I used to have one like that for the old Atari 2600 and the theme of
the day was 'hand cramp'.  Granted my hands were a bit smaller 20
years ago but it still something that haunted me for a while.  Make
sure you find it comfortable before you go that route.
__________________
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day.
Teach a man to fish and he will sit in a boat drinking beer all day.

Joe McGinn
_________________________
GA-Sports Writer
http://www.ga-sports.com/

__________________
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day.
Teach a man to fish and he will sit in a boat drinking beer all day.

To your Q's: I like the controller.  I find it much superior to the std
digital control.  Though some others I know prefer the digital.  The
analog brake (thumb push button) and throttle (index finger trigger)
work very well.  The buttons for shifting however are very hard to
access as your two hands are already all over the controller doing the
aforementioned tasks.

Overall, at about $25, I'm very happy with the purchase.