After reading a few of the posts for the past several weeks, I got the
impression that allot of people were somewhat disappointed with GP3.
Although I am not a computer expert, I have played GP2, F1RS, and MGPRS2 for
the past several years, and F12000 recently. My favorite has always been
GP2, and I might be a little bias. In the past few years I have been playing
MGPRS2 because of the better graphics and the online playing capability.
When I received my copy GP3 last week, I was pleasantly surprised. I think
the game is fantastic. The installation went without any problems, and even
my Wingman Formula Force wheel worked almost right
away, contrary to some.
It has kept the feel of GP2, but now has great graphics. I really don't
know what people are complaining about. On my machine the game looks great,
just like a real cartoon. Granted that I have a pretty powerful machine
(Pentium 933, with 256 RAM, and a 64mb nvidia geforce2).
There are just a few issues that I have with the game that I am sure
eventually someone will be able to change with some wise computer work:
1. I think GP3 could manage the time display somewhat better. The wheel LCD
display is good, but it is quite difficult to drive and see the split times
that you are posting. Furthermore, the split times are only displayed for a
few seconds, so it is easy to miss it. It is also difficult to see how far
ahead or behind an opponent is during a race, and this information is giving
to you in the same manner, only for a few seconds at the split markers, on
small font on the LCD. I think the way F1RS MGPRS2 manages the split times
is much better. This is displayed, if I can recall, on top of the monitor's
screen, making it quite visible. I also think that during practice runs, or
maybe even in qualifying, your split times are always displayed... not just
for a few seconds, as in GP3.
I believe that for one of the previous racing sims, someone had made a
program that allowed you to change how the split times were displayed, and
even allowed you to increase the number of split markers. Hopefully someone
will do this for GP3, if it has not already been done.
2. In MGPRS2, I like the fact that when you are practicing, and make a
mistake during a "hot lap", you can restart the lap a few corners before the
start finish line. In GP3, after a mistake, you have to finish the whole
lap, or return to the pits, which is also not helpful. I know this is a
simulation, but it would make it much more entertaining.
3. In F12000, I like the fact that your race engineer talks to you on
occasions, and in GP3 you are just sent a visual cue to come in to the pits,
but this is a minor point.
4. I think Gp3 should also have the ability to test a chosen "hot lap" with
your current "hot lap". In other words, use some sort of "ghost" function,
which can also be quite fun to race against your own best lap....
5. And most importantly, I am amazed that they do not have online gaming for
GP3. I know it will probably come in GP4, but why the wait? Online gaming,
when it works, is just so much better. In the meantime, I hope someone will
be able to figure out how to play GP3 online, maybe using a service like
Kali.
In summary, I think the game is great. The physics of the cars, the
graphics, and even the menus are excellent.
I would strongly recommend it to anyone who likes racing simulations.
In article <6kCj5.2745$[email hidden]>, [email hidden]
(Gostal Arcelin) wrote:
> It is also difficult to see how far
> ahead or behind an opponent is during a race, and this information is
> giving
> to you in the same manner, only for a few seconds at the split
> markers, on
> small font on the LCD.
When in the car, simply press "G" to see the gap between the car ahead
and any cars behind.
*Peter* - http://www.cix.co.uk/~peterpc/home.html
> 1. I think GP3 could manage the time display somewhat better. The wheel LCD
> display is good, but it is quite difficult to drive and see the split times
> that you are posting. Furthermore, the split times are only displayed for a
> few seconds, so it is easy to miss it.
Maybe you already know this, but if you press the 'g' key whilst driving, the
last split time (in qualifying) or the last gaps between the driver in front of
and behind you at the start finish line (during a race) get re-displayed on the
wheel for a few seconds. This was in GP2 also. Hope this helps! And I agree
with you about the game, I'm enjoying it even on my old K6-2 300!
--
Take a look at my GPL Tech website!
www.callnet0800.co.uk/myhome/nreverett/gplindex.htm
[email hidden] (Gostal Arcelin) wrote:
> It has kept the feel of GP2
Which is *exactly* the problem :->
Glad you're enjoying it though, each to his own.
Andrew McP
On Mon, 7 Aug 2000 13:24:52 -0400, "Gostal Arcelin"
<[email hidden]> wrote:
<snip>
Since GP3 is very similar to GP2, it won't take long. With a bit of
luck, there will soon be a GP3LAP and then you have all the timing
info you want plus much more!
>2. In MGPRS2, I like the fact that when you are practicing, and make a
>mistake during a "hot lap", you can restart the lap a few corners before the
>start finish line. In GP3, after a mistake, you have to finish the whole
>lap, or return to the pits, which is also not helpful. I know this is a
>simulation, but it would make it much more entertaining.
What about saving the game a few corners before start finish and
always starting from that saved game? Once the key-combination is
memorized, it can go fast :-)
>5. And most importantly, I am amazed that they do not have online gaming for
>GP3. I know it will probably come in GP4, but why the wait? Online gaming,
>when it works, is just so much better. In the meantime, I hope someone will
>be able to figure out how to play GP3 online, maybe using a service like
>Kali.
It doesn't look too well for this aspect if they don't rewrite the
engine....
JoH
