Reviewer's real world credentials:
Two years ago I caught a brief glimpse of a McClaren F1 car as it raced up and down the track at the
Farnborough Airshow. This clearly qualifies me to compare GP3's long distance audio output when I'm
taking a dump.
Sim credentials:
First met Crammond's work in the form of Revs on the BBC Micro a *long* time ago when the world
was young, hair grew on my head not the out of date tomatoes in the fridge, and Pokemon was what
Glaswegians encouraged their mates to do at the back of dim night clubs.
Bought a PC after receiving a double whammy from a magazine reviewing Tornado (real men only
need apply) and IncyCar Racing. Later, although I enjoyed GP2 it was ICR2 which made me feel much
more connected to a real world vehicle. Got a huge kick out of Need For Speed, but the sequels have
left me cold. Papy's Nascar series and SODA have been entertaining distractions, but never really
captured my interest.
Medical afflictions:
For more than two years I've suffered from simulation constipation... just can't get GPL out of my
system no matter how much bran I eat and how hard I squeeze. I value my gaming time greatly, and
in a world of great games, there is so far only one great simulation of the driving experience, and that
-- for me -- is GPL. I've no interest in 67 as a racing year, little knowledge or interest in the drivers of
that era, but from the first time I started up the GPL demo it just felt "right". I may be wrong, foolish,
naiive or just brainwashed. But I'm also having the most fun I've ever had sat in front of a CRT...
except maybe for the 1st time I saw Barbarella.
Confessions:
I've spent a week or so reading disappointing warez/release reviews of GP3 which have confirmed my
fears and suspicions that GP3 is to GP2 what N3 is to N1... an exercise in spit and polish programming
rather than. I am therefore biased against GP3 from the start.
GP3 -- 1st impresions
The oik in Electronics Boutique told me is was "really cool!". I asked if he'd tried GPL, he asked me what
GPL was. I tried my low key "you really ought to try it but be prepared to struggle" sales approach until
he asked how it compared to the Eidos F1 sims. My lip curled automatically and the conversation was
over.
GP3 -- 2nd Impressions
Installation went fine (Piii683, 256Mb, V3, DX7a) and the automatic graphics test showed me graphics
which were both better and worse than I expected. Better because I was unimpressed by the avi's
released recently. Worse because there's an overall blocky feel to the graphics (at max detail) which
makes GPL at max (admittedly still a CPU hog) look glorious.
Menus:
Mmm... this steering menu looks familiar. Created a custom profile and stuck with the defaults for my
1st trip to the track.
On the track:
Er... it looks like GP2. Er... it acts like GP2. It, er... drives like... er... GP2.5
Ok, broad statement
[email hidden] (Andrew MacPherson) wrote:
> Reviewer's real world credentials:
>
> Two years ago I caught a brief glimpse of a McClaren F1 car as it raced
> up and down the track at the Farnborough Airshow. This clearly
> qualifies me to compare GP3's long distance audio output when I'm
> taking a dump.
Er... unfinished post warning <g>
I went off to do some more driving and got too bored to bother putting any thorough work into the post.
GP3's not shyte, in fact I'd say it's worth the money, but it's definitely GP2.5 and it's definitely -- for me
-- just another gaming distraction, not a "grab you by the seat of the pants" sim like GPL. But then my
credentials as a GPL Cheerleader (without the t*ts and ass to compensate) have already been
established.
Worst problems for me:
1) Frame rate...25fps is *awful*, a solid 36fps in GPL has spoiled my eye.
2) Lack of "involvement" with the driving model.
3) Worrying looking dynamics when you watch the (20s??!!) replays.
4) Menus, pitstops & overall "feel" is GP2 with a facelift (scars visible just under the chin and in the
hairline)
5) Poor sense of speed.
6) Worryingly hard to lose control under hard braking (yes I *have* got all the aids off :-)
Good bits:
1) Wet weather effects are very well done, pretty immersive.
2) Nice overall package.
3) Driving model's better than GP2.
4) Makes me want to get back to fiddling with my Lotus.
Andrew "check your outbox before connecting" McP
Andrew MacPherson wrote:
" and Pokemon was what Glaswegians encouraged their mates to do at the
back of dim night clubs. "
ROFLMAO!, Shit, just spat my tea all over my fcsking monitor!
Hey, Is 'Nice'n'Sleazies' still open in Glasgae?
Alan.
In article
<[email hidden]>,
[email hidden] (Andrew MacPherson) wrote:
> Ok, broad statement
Eh? is that it?
Did you get distracted Andrew?
He he 8-)
*Peter* - http://www.cix.co.uk/~peterpc/home.html
[email hidden] () wrote:
> Did you get distracted Andrew?
Yes, by GPL :-)
One major addendum to make: by lowering the screen res and mirror detail I've found that a solid
25fps is ok in GP3 (must be rock solid as we'vew found in GPL). I spent another half hour fiddling with
steering settings but I still get the GP2-esque feeling I'm driving by remote control.
It'll be fun to tool around the tracks on the day of GPs though, so at least my �30 isn't wasted.
Andrew McP
