rec.autos.simulators

The graphics, sound, track design, etc. are all uparalleled in any current
racing game, and are particularly amazing for an Xbox game.  It is
incredible to me that they can wring this much performance out of a system
that is basically a P3-733 with a GF3+.  Solid 60 fps frame rates almost
without exception.  All kinds of weather effects, puddles, airborne dust,
swaying trees and grass, etc.

Not going to say much about the physics.  First I don't really expect sim
quality physics from a console game, and secondly I don't really know much
about RL rallying, so I wouldn't know realistic rally physics if I saw it.
But I will say that from a controllability standpoint the game actually
seems to have improved somewhat, which is again amazing because the previous
game was already quite good in that area.  Just a bit easier to control a
slide and drift around the corners tail-out than it was before.

Track design is great.  Still have the odd mix of tracks, where a stage in
the US might be followed by a stage in Argentina.  Also some of the ice
racing and rallycross tracks appear to be a bit more complex than what I
have seen on TV.  But the tracks are still exciting and challenging to
drive, particularly the Monte Carlo tracks which have a high percentage of
tarmac.  In most cases it is much easier to see the road surface than it was
in the previous game, especially on snow and ice tracks.  Also the addition
of crossover tracks is welcome, they are a lot of fun to drive.  Put it this
way, I enjoy the tracks more than in the previous game, despite being a
little uncertain about how realistic they are.

Overall a significant improvement over the previous game, which was itself a
tough act to follow.  Keeping in mind that it is possibly still a little
more oriented towards fun than realism, nevertheless if you have an Xbox I
would highly recommend trying Rallisport Challenge 2.

I wonder, does the game have a***pit mode?

Thanks,

Alanb

Just my opinion but I think the interior cam with hud instruments is
preferable to the artificially tall viewing angle and "looking through a
slit"***pit view that most sims use.  In my RL car I can't see the
instruments without looking down.  My normal field of vision is only
slightly wider than the interior cams used in this game and in TRD2.  So
until someone implements a "look down at the instruments" key, i.e. a
virtual***pit like they have had in flight sims for years, I would prefer
the console style interior view to a sim style***pit with working
instruments.

It also has a hood view - which gives you a somewhat better view of the road
while still being able to see where your car is on the track - a roof view,
and the normal assortment of chase and bumper cams.  I confess, in this game
and in TRD2 I drive from the hood view most of the time.  When sitting 9
feet away from a 29 inch TV even the non-simmy interior views are just too
restrictive.

BTW in wet races the "raindrops on the windshield" effect seems to stay on
no matter which view you choose, which though unrealistic is kind of a nice
touch because it means the graphical effect penalizes everybody, not just
those who like to drive from inside the car.

Still looking for you on Live, Alan.  I think there must be a time zone
difference between us.  I'm in the U.S.A., but based on when you guys
typically post you and Can Gencer appear to be in Europe.  So you guys are
most likely already in bed by the time I get off work.  Oh well, I'll catch
up to you guys one of these days.

Thanks.  I'll probably pick up this title.

I haven't been on Live lately.  I do live in the US, ET zone here in Ohio.

Alanb

Funny isn't it, PCs today are probably 4 or 5 times faster than the Xbox,
and yet they are still doing things with the Xbox that have yet to be done
on a PC.  Not sure which that says more about, the efficiency of the Xbox
memory architecture or the crappiness of current PC architecture and OSes.

Yes I'm in Sweden and this game hasn't been out here yet. It might take me a
while to buy it because I just spent my *** money on some other games. I
haven't been online much, waiting for the TRD2 patch among other things.
I'll buy RSC2 sometime within June, I think.

Can

Not wanting to start a console vs. PC banter, but can you give some
examples? As far as I know PC has done everything a console has and
better.(I own a PS2 and PC btw.)

I think the fact that consoles are limited to TV resolution allows them
to add more gfx goodness since they don't have to worry about 1280x1024
with 4xAA and 16xAF on.

HDTV is gonna make a dramatic impact on console games and systems
requiring them to be able to pump out 1280x720 or 1920x1080 at a decent
frame rate.

I think he's refering to the games coming out on the Xbox first, then coming
out on PC a few months later. Its all because its simplier to produce
something for a console (preset hardware and all) then it would be to do the
same for a PC (millions of different combinations.)

Plus, well you just have to see RC2 in action I think, I am really not aware
of anything else like it on any platform.  Admittedly it is lower resolution
on my TV but it supports 480p.  Also the detail level is phenomenal.
Granted it is not normally required to render more than 4 cars but still the
amount of detail in the trackside scenery is comparable to some of the
better shooters and MMORPGs out there, if not better.

though computer games like unreal 2004 cannot be duplicated on xbxo, control
wise..now if xbox came out with a keyboard mouse combo, pc watch out

I'd have to disagree.  Though I am not calling TW 2004 a simulation by any
means, the game plays more like a simulation on the PC than it does the
XBox.

The fun feeling that you feel is probably because it is more arcade-like.
That game-- PC or XBox-- is just no where near the real game of golf-- the
physics are all wrong, and lie and wind have virtually no affect on the
ball.

Everyone here knows what golf game I prefer.  And I'm not talking about the
one for the XBox, though Links 2004 for the XBox is twenty times a better
simulation than TW 2004, XBox or PC.

But to the topic-- I got RS2 and am enjoying it.  What you don't get with
XBox racing games is frame problems, which can be a big deal in racing
games.

That's the only drawback, albiet a big one.  Otherwise, I still prefer PC
racing games, slightly.

Alanb