I played the demo that is on the CD of a french magazine called
"Joystick". I thought it may interest someone to see a short review of
it. So:
At the beginig of the demo Ubi Soft say that it is a "beta demo". In
fact it is not very stable but that is not a problem. It is Win95
only.
The track is Monza, only 6 turns. No way to modify car settings in the
demo and it is really hard to stay on the track. Never succeded to
make the start without crashing at the first chicane.
Here are my comments:
Graphics: A 3Dfx card is mandatory. Graphics are 640*480, 65000
colors. Don't know for others resolutions. Very beautiful. For example
spectators on the side of the track are not a ugly texture like in
GP2. Every details of the track seems to be here.
The view in the car is like in Indycar 2 (you see your wheels) instead
of the GP2 view. A good thing.
When you spin and you leave some *** on the track you can see the
marks on the next trun ( la NFS). Only drawback is that I had the
feeling texture are not "polished" like in others 3Dfx games (i.e.
that they are a bit pixelised)
Framerate seems good although I noticed that when there is a lot of
cars present (like on the Monza's 1st chicane!) it is really
unsufficient. 1st image you brake, 2nd you spin, 3d nose and wheels
are away. I hope that will be solved (autodetails?)
Sounds: Bad. Engine nose bad, "proutprout" when you change gears. etc.
Really to be improved. (I read they'll do)
Gameplay: On the demo you don't have enough downforce and it is in
expert mode. So it is hard to make an opinion. AI seems good.
Miscellanous: Villeneuve is named "driver X", because of his special
FOCA contract. When you go into the sand or grass you see some of them
on the wheel(s) for a few moment. Very good. Car seems to fly less
easily than in GP2 although it bend when you go on the borders. Maybe
it will not at all leave the ground. Shame because that was one great
feature of GP2. Release date is said as october 97 (optimistic?).
Conclusion: It seems to be a very promising game. Maybe Microprose
will not sell GP2 as long, and as well, as GP1 because they don't want
to make a 3Dfx patch (no patch at all to be exact). That will make me
a pleasure, but it is only a very personnal thought.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Olivier Crottaz
Department of Inorganic, Analytical and Applied Chemistry
University of Geneva,30 q. E. Ansermet,1211 Geneva 4
Switzerland
Fax: +.41.22.7026830