rec.autos.simulators

by **SlipStrea** » Fri, 10 Mar 2000 04:00:00

If you see RatBags Powerslide you should get it....by far the one of the
most exciting arcade racers of the 99 season and a ball to race online...if
anyone is still out there on Heat.

> Apparently I'm a retrograde racer, it seems -- after starting out with
> various "***" sims like ICR2, GPL, and, more recently, Dirt Track
> Racing, I recently went looking for something a little less serious. I
> have NFS3 and NFS4, but neither had really impressed me much compared
> to the more realistic, "***" sims, so they didn't spend much time
> on my hard drive.

> As a diversion, I recently downloaded the "Hot Chix 'n Gear Stix" demo
> from the 3dfiles site, and found myself having a blast with this nifty
> little arcade racer. I bought the full version, in fact (hey, it was
> only $15), and quickly mastered the entire game, but I found myself
> having a lot of fun -- with a blatant arcade racer! (Don't tell the RAS
> folks!)

> Just for kicks, I decided to re-install NFS3/4, and to my surprise, I
> found myself really enjoying both games quite a bit -- much moreso than
> I did at first. Then, just a couple of days ago, I happened upon a
> cheap copy of NFS2Se, and since I'm a 3DFx guy, I picked it up. WOW!
> I was really impressed -- as much as I've been enjoying NFS3 and 4, I
> REALLY found myself enjoying NFS2.

> In some ways NFS2 is obviously more archaic than 3 or 4, but in others
> it's far superior to either 3 or 4. I really like how the AI cars in
> NFS2 react when you hit them -- unlike the AI cars in NFS3/4, they're
> not invulnerable slot cars that aren't bothered by your presence (or
> your bumps), and the engine note sounds better (especially the sound of
> the power band as you run through the gears). The environmental
> effects are VERY cool, too -- I don't remember which track it is (the
> Australian one, I think), but the part where you encounter the swarm of
> bugs that splatter on your windshield is AWESOME (yeah, I know, it's
> just eye-candy, but it DOES help enhance the realism).

> All in all, it seems to me that NFS2 *may* be somewhere near the same
> league as ICR2 in terms of physics modeling (break out the branding
> iron, folks -- I've committed heresy!). The cars respond "properly" to
> on- and off-throttle actions, the acceleration seems about right, and
> you can actually carry a drift through a corner -- PLUS you CAN get
> airborne, which indicates full 3-axis modeling, which may put it
> slightly ahead of ICR2. Granted, we're not talking GPL quality here,
> but ICR2 was (and still is) pretty darn good in the physics department,
> IMO.

> So what's the general consensus from some of the rest of you "***"
> devotees? Am I the only one (besides Randy Magruder) who seek guilty
> pleasure in the form of the various NFS games, or are there other
> "closet" racers out there? If there are any others "in the closet,"
> what's your view of the NFS2 vs. NFS3/4 issue? Inquiring closet cases
> want to know . . . <G>

> ;-)

> -- JB

> Sent via Deja.com http://www.racesimcentral.net/
> Before you buy.

by **jbo..** » Sat, 11 Mar 2000 04:00:00

Apparently I'm a retrograde racer, it seems -- after starting out with
various "***" sims like ICR2, GPL, and, more recently, Dirt Track
Racing, I recently went looking for something a little less serious. I
have NFS3 and NFS4, but neither had really impressed me much compared
to the more realistic, "***" sims, so they didn't spend much time
on my hard drive.

As a diversion, I recently downloaded the "Hot Chix 'n Gear Stix" demo
from the 3dfiles site, and found myself having a blast with this nifty
little arcade racer. I bought the full version, in fact (hey, it was
only $15), and quickly mastered the entire game, but I found myself
having a lot of fun -- with a blatant arcade racer! (Don't tell the RAS
folks!)

Just for kicks, I decided to re-install NFS3/4, and to my surprise, I
found myself really enjoying both games quite a bit -- much moreso than
I did at first. Then, just a couple of days ago, I happened upon a
cheap copy of NFS2Se, and since I'm a 3DFx guy, I picked it up. WOW!
I was really impressed -- as much as I've been enjoying NFS3 and 4, I
REALLY found myself enjoying NFS2.

In some ways NFS2 is obviously more archaic than 3 or 4, but in others
it's far superior to either 3 or 4. I really like how the AI cars in
NFS2 react when you hit them -- unlike the AI cars in NFS3/4, they're
not invulnerable slot cars that aren't bothered by your presence (or
your bumps), and the engine note sounds better (especially the sound of
the power band as you run through the gears). The environmental
effects are VERY cool, too -- I don't remember which track it is (the
Australian one, I think), but the part where you encounter the swarm of
bugs that splatter on your windshield is AWESOME (yeah, I know, it's
just eye-candy, but it DOES help enhance the realism).

All in all, it seems to me that NFS2 *may* be somewhere near the same
league as ICR2 in terms of physics modeling (break out the branding
iron, folks -- I've committed heresy!). The cars respond "properly" to
on- and off-throttle actions, the acceleration seems about right, and
you can actually carry a drift through a corner -- PLUS you CAN get
airborne, which indicates full 3-axis modeling, which may put it
slightly ahead of ICR2. Granted, we're not talking GPL quality here,
but ICR2 was (and still is) pretty darn good in the physics department,
IMO.

So what's the general consensus from some of the rest of you "***"
devotees? Am I the only one (besides Randy Magruder) who seek guilty
pleasure in the form of the various NFS games, or are there other
"closet" racers out there? If there are any others "in the closet,"
what's your view of the NFS2 vs. NFS3/4 issue? Inquiring closet cases
want to know . . . <G>

;-)

-- JB

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

by **Archangel0** » Sat, 11 Mar 2000 04:00:00

You got that right......Powerslide is a great arcade racer. I even prefer it
over DTR.

> If you see RatBags Powerslide you should get it....by far the one of the
> most exciting arcade racers of the 99 season and a ball to race
online...if
> anyone is still out there on Heat.

> > Apparently I'm a retrograde racer, it seems -- after starting out with
> > various "***" sims like ICR2, GPL, and, more recently, Dirt Track
> > Racing, I recently went looking for something a little less serious. I
> > have NFS3 and NFS4, but neither had really impressed me much compared
> > to the more realistic, "***" sims, so they didn't spend much time
> > on my hard drive.

> > As a diversion, I recently downloaded the "Hot Chix 'n Gear Stix" demo
> > from the 3dfiles site, and found myself having a blast with this nifty
> > little arcade racer. I bought the full version, in fact (hey, it was
> > only $15), and quickly mastered the entire game, but I found myself
> > having a lot of fun -- with a blatant arcade racer! (Don't tell the RAS
> > folks!)

> > Just for kicks, I decided to re-install NFS3/4, and to my surprise, I
> > found myself really enjoying both games quite a bit -- much moreso than
> > I did at first. Then, just a couple of days ago, I happened upon a
> > cheap copy of NFS2Se, and since I'm a 3DFx guy, I picked it up. WOW!
> > I was really impressed -- as much as I've been enjoying NFS3 and 4, I
> > REALLY found myself enjoying NFS2.

> > In some ways NFS2 is obviously more archaic than 3 or 4, but in others
> > it's far superior to either 3 or 4. I really like how the AI cars in
> > NFS2 react when you hit them -- unlike the AI cars in NFS3/4, they're
> > not invulnerable slot cars that aren't bothered by your presence (or
> > your bumps), and the engine note sounds better (especially the sound of
> > the power band as you run through the gears). The environmental
> > effects are VERY cool, too -- I don't remember which track it is (the
> > Australian one, I think), but the part where you encounter the swarm of
> > bugs that splatter on your windshield is AWESOME (yeah, I know, it's
> > just eye-candy, but it DOES help enhance the realism).

> > All in all, it seems to me that NFS2 *may* be somewhere near the same
> > league as ICR2 in terms of physics modeling (break out the branding
> > iron, folks -- I've committed heresy!). The cars respond "properly" to
> > on- and off-throttle actions, the acceleration seems about right, and
> > you can actually carry a drift through a corner -- PLUS you CAN get
> > airborne, which indicates full 3-axis modeling, which may put it
> > slightly ahead of ICR2. Granted, we're not talking GPL quality here,
> > but ICR2 was (and still is) pretty darn good in the physics department,
> > IMO.

> > So what's the general consensus from some of the rest of you "***"
> > devotees? Am I the only one (besides Randy Magruder) who seek guilty
> > pleasure in the form of the various NFS games, or are there other
> > "closet" racers out there? If there are any others "in the closet,"
> > what's your view of the NFS2 vs. NFS3/4 issue? Inquiring closet cases
> > want to know . . . <G>

> > ;-)

> > -- JB

> > Sent via Deja.com http://www.racesimcentral.net/
> > Before you buy.

by **john moor** » Sat, 11 Mar 2000 04:00:00

you might enjoy pong

> Apparently I'm a retrograde racer, it seems -- after starting out with
> various "***" sims like ICR2, GPL, and, more recently, Dirt Track
> Racing, I recently went looking for something a little less serious. I
> have NFS3 and NFS4, but neither had really impressed me much compared
> to the more realistic, "***" sims, so they didn't spend much time
> on my hard drive.

> As a diversion, I recently downloaded the "Hot Chix 'n Gear Stix" demo
> from the 3dfiles site, and found myself having a blast with this nifty
> little arcade racer. I bought the full version, in fact (hey, it was
> only $15), and quickly mastered the entire game, but I found myself
> having a lot of fun -- with a blatant arcade racer! (Don't tell the RAS
> folks!)

> Just for kicks, I decided to re-install NFS3/4, and to my surprise, I
> found myself really enjoying both games quite a bit -- much moreso than
> I did at first. Then, just a couple of days ago, I happened upon a
> cheap copy of NFS2Se, and since I'm a 3DFx guy, I picked it up. WOW!
> I was really impressed -- as much as I've been enjoying NFS3 and 4, I
> REALLY found myself enjoying NFS2.

> In some ways NFS2 is obviously more archaic than 3 or 4, but in others
> it's far superior to either 3 or 4. I really like how the AI cars in
> NFS2 react when you hit them -- unlike the AI cars in NFS3/4, they're
> not invulnerable slot cars that aren't bothered by your presence (or
> your bumps), and the engine note sounds better (especially the sound of
> the power band as you run through the gears). The environmental
> effects are VERY cool, too -- I don't remember which track it is (the
> Australian one, I think), but the part where you encounter the swarm of
> bugs that splatter on your windshield is AWESOME (yeah, I know, it's
> just eye-candy, but it DOES help enhance the realism).

> All in all, it seems to me that NFS2 *may* be somewhere near the same
> league as ICR2 in terms of physics modeling (break out the branding
> iron, folks -- I've committed heresy!). The cars respond "properly" to
> on- and off-throttle actions, the acceleration seems about right, and
> you can actually carry a drift through a corner -- PLUS you CAN get
> airborne, which indicates full 3-axis modeling, which may put it
> slightly ahead of ICR2. Granted, we're not talking GPL quality here,
> but ICR2 was (and still is) pretty darn good in the physics department,
> IMO.

> So what's the general consensus from some of the rest of you "***"
> devotees? Am I the only one (besides Randy Magruder) who seek guilty
> pleasure in the form of the various NFS games, or are there other
> "closet" racers out there? If there are any others "in the closet,"
> what's your view of the NFS2 vs. NFS3/4 issue? Inquiring closet cases
> want to know . . . <G>

> ;-)

> -- JB

> Sent via Deja.com http://www.racesimcentral.net/
> Before you buy.

by **Martin Urs** » Sat, 11 Mar 2000 04:00:00

>So what's the general consensus from some of the rest of you "***"
>devotees? Am I the only one (besides Randy Magruder) who seek guilty
>pleasure in the form of the various NFS games, or are there other
>"closet" racers out there? If there are any others "in the closet,"
>what's your view of the NFS2 vs. NFS3/4 issue? Inquiring closet cases
>want to know . . . <G>

Personally, I find the original NFS (and NFS:SE) to be the
best of the series. I still get a thrill out of sliding the Porsche
around fast sweepers on the Coastal highway. For an "arcade" racer,
its driving and physics model was surprisingly competent and, sadly,
unsurpassed by any of the later NFS games.

Although I had a bit of fun playing split-screen NFS2SE
against a friend, the actualy driving was nowhere near as enjoyable as
the original's. NFS3's was even worse. NFSHS was slightly improved
but the fastest way around a track, unfortunately, did not involve the
use of brakes (handbrakes, maybe...).

As far as other arcadish "guilty pleasures," I enjoy Colin
McRae Rally, the TOCA series, Carmageddon 2 (yep), Stunts (on my hard
drive since 1990!), Big Red Racing, Moto Racer (the original), and
Sega Rally 2.

By the way, I did play the Hot Chix demo to completion when it
first came out. Unfortunately I was impressed only by the music and
the delightfully tacky artwork. :-)

Martin
Long Live Nigel Mansell!

by **Jan Verschuere** » Sat, 11 Mar 2000 04:00:00

Agree completely, NFS series took a very wrong turning after it's first
installment. However, it's next installment (with the Porsches) promises a
return to a more realistic handling approach. There's a message here
somewhere which points to a chat transcript on the matter (I wish someone
would post about those chats here before they occurred!).

As ever I will remain firmly on the fence until I play it myself, but it's
got me past the "bwoh, just another NFS game"-, to the "hmmm, have to check
it out"-stage.

CMR and TOCA1/2 are indeed very entertaining diversions. Not enough there to
give them big replay value, but very relaxing if a certain track in GPL is
giving you a rough time,

I like arcade too. Haven't had something to shout about recently, but I
really loved ReVolt a while back (the kid in me I guess). Wasn't actually
half bad in sim-mode either.

Jan.
----

> <Snip>
> Personally, I find the original NFS (and NFS:SE) to be the
> best of the series. I still get a thrill out of sliding the Porsche
> around fast sweepers on the Coastal highway. For an "arcade" racer,
> its driving and physics model was surprisingly competent and, sadly,
> unsurpassed by any of the later NFS games.
> <snip>
> As far as other arcadish "guilty pleasures," I enjoy Colin
> McRae Rally, the TOCA series, Carmageddon 2 (yep), Stunts (on my hard
> drive since 1990!), Big Red Racing, Moto Racer (the original), and
> Sega Rally 2.

> <snip>

by **jbo..** » Sat, 11 Mar 2000 04:00:00

YES! I forgot all about Powerslide -- what a GREAT game! I
"discovered" it about a year ago. VERY enjoyable, with what may be the
best physics model of any arcade racer, IMO.

-- JB

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

by **jbo..** » Sat, 11 Mar 2000 04:00:00

Gee, what a well thought-out response. I thought you had to go to
rec.autos.sport.indy to get this kind of asinine response to a
meaningful post, but it looks like I was wrong. Thanks for the
enlightening commentary, Oh Great Wise One.

-- JB

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

by **Peter Nilss** » Sat, 11 Mar 2000 04:00:00

>Apparently I'm a retrograde racer, it seems -- after starting out with
>various "***" sims like ICR2, GPL, and, more recently, Dirt Track
>Racing, I recently went looking for something a little less serious. I
>have NFS3 and NFS4, but neither had really impressed me much compared
>to the more realistic, "***" sims, so they didn't spend much time
>on my hard drive.

SNIP

>-- JB

>Sent via Deja.com http://www.racesimcentral.net/
>Before you buy.

"Hi! I'm Peter. I'm a closet racer."

[Applause}

"I've recently been enjoying Microsoft Monster Truck Madness 2 and
Beetle Crazy Cup".

There, I feel much better now... :-)

/petern

by **Peter Nilss** » Sat, 11 Mar 2000 04:00:00

>YES! I forgot all about Powerslide -- what a GREAT game! I
>"discovered" it about a year ago. VERY enjoyable, with what may be the
>best physics model of any arcade racer, IMO.

>-- JB

Best physics? What about that FRAMERATE then!

/petern

by **SlipStrea** » Sat, 11 Mar 2000 04:00:00

Ratbag took everyone to framerate school and nobody has learned from the
master yet as far as I have seen..

> >YES! I forgot all about Powerslide -- what a GREAT game! I
> >"discovered" it about a year ago. VERY enjoyable, with what may be the
> >best physics model of any arcade racer, IMO.

> >-- JB

> Best physics? What about that FRAMERATE then!

> /petern

by **Zoll** » Sun, 12 Mar 2000 04:00:00

My psychoanalyst sais, there is nothing wrong with you, JB, even a ***
simmer needs some chix now and then... (he, he).

;-)

Zolli

by **Dan Belch** » Sun, 12 Mar 2000 04:00:00

I'm a sap for the Nintendo 64 game Formula One World Grand Prix. It's arcadish
as hell (although it claims it's a sim, heh) but it's fun, with racey AI that
drive, in the Formula 1 spirit, with nothing but constant blocking maneuvers.
Rather fun to try to get that win in the last few turns at Monaco on the last
lap. I still haven't won the championship in Champion difficulty. I can't
seem to get around Brazil or Suzuka for crap!

Dan Belcher
Team Racing Unlimited
http://simcrashes.cjb.net

rec.autos.simulators

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