(In fact, the only reason I considered EA's latest is, uhm...I own GP3.)
I've googled around and wasn't able to find much on F12k2, so if anybody
knows any good sites, I'd appreciate a heads-up.
Some comments on the game:
System:
GA-7DX mobo with 1ghz T-bird CPU
256 meg DDR 2100 ram
Maxtor 7200 rpm hd
ATI AIW 7500 vid card
WinXP home ed
Performance: ran fine out of the box excepting the intro videos are
scrambled and sometimes the playback studio vanishes (you can hear the mouse
go over the buttons, but you're still on the 'select replay' screen. If you
can remember where the buttons are, maximizing will fix things. Quite odd.)
Frames rate smooth, even glassy, with the default settings. Putting every
graphic option at max (everything in the red except shadows) left it still
very smooth while driving (30+ fps at Spa) _except_ when a lot of effects
(dirt, dust, smoke) were on-screen. Playback was a bit choppy, though.
Criticisms: I googlegrouped r.a.s. and had a peek at previous comments. I
would say that the blistering this game took as a result of a leaked beta
was/is entirely undeserved. As an example, A1-ring was thoroughly lambasted
as not being remotely similar to the real thing - well, compared to GP3, it
was nearly identical. A1's my favorite track and the only one I know
_really_ well (from GP3), and it seemed quite familiar to me. Otherwise, a
lot of the comments about playback oddities, etc. were more or less valid.
I'm not sure about the AI - I've had at least one instance where I thought
somebody pulled a bone-headed block on me, but the replay showed it was as
much my fault. In general, at 25% aggression, they seem to drive well
enough. Damage model....argh. I'd rather have the GP1 cut scenes! A big
shunt ought to at least reduce the car to the tub, ala HHF...;)
Good stuff: When you push the tires to the limits, you hear an obvious
scrubbing sound instead of a squeal. You can actually catch and correct
oversteer (up to a point, of course) The AI is tweakable, which makes it a
heck of a lot more fun than GP3. The graphics aren't necessarily
mind-blowing, but still damned good. (Trees swaying in the breeze, even.)
Grid girls! ;) Lots of radio info from the pits, which I like (it's
adjustable). The physics engine might not be perfect, but it seems to work
'well enough', at least for me. It does do some odd things, though. You can
slide on your roll hoop for insane distances, for example. The oddities thus
far seem to be limited to the unusual; while properly driving the car, it
_feels_ right.
It also accepts inputs from my decrepit old analog game-port wheel 'n'
pedals with no hassles at all; I may just buy a new FF Momo due to this
'game'/'sim' whichever you prefer. ;)
My bottom line: you can create the perfect blend of driveability, challenge,
and looks to keep it FUN. In playability and entertainment, it's the equal
of GP1 (<<that should be taken as high praise indeed).
Well, that's my gut reaction after just a few days - I feel I got my money's
worth, which is, I guess, the most important thing.
tt
rdb