> I have to say that I've been fairly disappointed by the reviews of
> Rallisport Challenge that I've been reading as I was hoping it might provide
> me with a top-notch graphics/physics rally game. It sounds like only the
> graphics make the game good. So what do people recommend instead? I'm
> vaguely familiar with CMR2, but I've had troubles finding it in the US & I
> wonder if the graphics aren't showing their age by now? Is CMR3 planned for
> the PC? I've only found stuff about a PS2 & XBox version.
Rally games are hard to get in the US. You can try looking at
online stores, though. I've only seen a few rally games in stores,
usually in the bargain bins. They don't even have Colin McRae 3 for
the Playstation 2. Must be like trying to get a Nascar game in
Europe.
Colin McRae 2 seems OK. I have only tried the demo. I'm not big on
the driving- it's not exactly arcade physics, but the roads are so
wide and the turns are setup as such than you are suppossed to use
alot of handbrake and slide alot. It just seems really repetitive.
The graphics are fine until you hit a tree.
I think CMR3 is coming to the PC, unless it's been cancelled. I
think it was listed for fall 2002.
Rally Masters (developed by DICE, also did Rallisport) is really
good, I like it the best. The physics are good (maybe a little too
good- twitchy handling sometimes), and the roads are slighly narrower.
It's not as simple as Colin McRae, you can either go all out as long
as you master powersliding, or use a more conservative use of gas and
brakes and still win. The only thing that stinks is the short stages
that take only about 2-4 minutes to do in the "campaign" modes. I get
most of my kicks by driving about 20+ laps in the quick races.
Mobile Rally Champnioship- only tried the demo, hard to find in the
US. I didn't like this one. All the reviews said the graphics were
good, but they look more like a painting than photorealistic. The
roads are all very, very narrow (1 car wide), and the courses are long
without too many big turns. Suppossedly modelled on a real rally.
Maybe realistic, but also boring. I read that there's a patch that
lets you adjust the physics, which weren't that great in the demo-
grass seemed to slow down the car too much.
Rally Tropyh- tried the demo, liked it, ordered it- waiting for it.
The stages in the demo are a good length, not too short, not too long.
The graphics are nice, physics are nice- but different driving than
Rally Masters. Instead of executing precision turns and moderating
your speed, it's more like rocketting down a road, bouncing, trying to
keep from flying off and hitting the rocks and trees.
Master Rallye- PS2/X-Box to PC port. I picked this up for a few
dollars. It's OK, but more like an off-road game- the cars/trucks
slide very little and have alot of grip, but this may not be totally
unrealistic. Unfortunately, it looks like there won't be any mods for
it ever. The physics seem good but a little off (no need to use the
brake at all on the early cars). It also has annoying console style
locks on most of the cars, and the routes get alot harder quick. The
AI drivers are also ***s and will ram you way too much- not very
sporting, and there's no "time attack" mode. It doesn't have a
co-driver, just visual pace notes, which is annoying because a few
turns will pop up too soon and a co-driver really helps. But for 5
bucks it's a good buy. No co driver.
