All:
I went out and bought ICR2 today at Best Buys. Here are a few of my
reflections so far:
Pros:
The graphics are a lot better than ICR1, but I'm not really into the
graphics as much as the play. I believe ICR, ICR2, and NASCAR are 3 of
the best out. I have not played Formula One GP, so excuse me you guys
if I have left it out.
The paint kit is finally added. Sure is nice to bring it to the same
capability as NASCAR. Now if they would just beef the paint kit up a
bit, that would be even better.
High resolution mode provides some interesting capabilities. However, I
have a 486 DX4/120 with a Diamond Speedstar Pro SE (Cirrus 5430), and
the frame rate is a bit too low for my taste. I'm going to go in and
tweak it a little to see if I can sustain a decent frame rate with only
the essential graphics on (skids, grandstands for reference points).
Cons:
The manual says the minimum requirements for high resolution is a 486
DX2/66. My experience so far is that you can run the game with a
DX4/120, but you can't get a very high frame rate without reducing the
number of drivers and turning off a bunch of graphics.
The driving is completely different from ICR. I have been playing ICR
for about a year now, and have grown accustomed to hitting certain
curves at certain speeds. In ICR2, the speeds at which you can take
curves is dramatically different. For example on turn 5 at Australia,
right after the long right hand turn, I used to hit the brakes hard
right after turn 4 ended, and make it through turn 5 by applying a hard
left. This got me through the turn, and my vector was set up so that
the car would be pointing straight up the track for the short straight
heading toward turn 6. In ICR2, if I use the exact same approach, I'm
into the wall at turn 5. This is starting to frustrate me, but I guess
I'll just have to learn the physics applied to the new game.
The sound bites. I liked the sound in the old game. I have a
SoundBlaster 16, and in the old game it was a good balance of sound for
the entire game. Now, all of the new sounds are really tinny and
actually sound like 8-bit mono, even though I have 16-bit stereo
selected. Guess I'll have to play with that a bit. When the game comes
up, I briefly see: SB16 8 S, but I don't know what that means. I guess
it's possible that means it's using the SB16 driver with 8Khz mode in
stereo. Who knows.
The car slide a lot more now than it did in ICR. I guess this is pretty
much reality, as Indy Cars running at 160-250 MPH is like trying to ride
a bicycle on the slickest known surface ever.
All-in-all, it's a pretty cool update, but I think I'll still go back
and play ICR from time to time, as the driving feels a bit more fluid.
And, since we lose a whole lot without having the perspectives of being
in the actual driver's seat, there are certain things that have to be
added to make it at least playable on the computer.
Just my $.02 worth here.
--
Senior Systems Engineer (703) 379-3881
Simulation Technologies, Inc. FAX (703) 379-3890
I pretty much agree with your reflections.
At VGA modes you can tell that you have a much smoother frame
rate than the original ICR. However, perhaps due to the improved
AI and the more realistic looking cars, I found my 486-66 unable
to handle the same amount of opponents to race with compared to
ICR. However, I guess it is better to race with fewer better
drivers than to race with more stupid drivers. Luckily, my system
can barely run at the SVGA mode while I am alone on the track
with most of everything turned off. It was an amazing experience
for me! It was like I was finally able to drive with my glasses
on!!! So, I use the SVGA mode to learn the new tracks since I
have never bought the add-ons for ICR.
The thing I like best about ICR2 is the ability to disintegrate
your car and your opponents car! I just love to crash into some
innocent victim still parked in the pit while I rear end him at
220mph at Michigan! I believe I have never had that much fun at
crashing!
As for sound, yes, I was kinda dissappointed in that too. Just
listion to Paul Page's voice at the beginnig, he sounded better
at ICR! I sorta like the tire noises, but the engine sound just
sucks. Well, I do have to admit that I am kind of getting use to
these sounds now though.
Myself, I'd like to be able to view the car I want to include in my
carset, add it to the carset and then switch wich carset I'm working on
*without* leaving paintkit. I want the paintkit program to do the
renaming so it becomes a one button affair.
How's that for an idea of beefing it up?
One other thing it might be able to do: edit the drivers file while in
paintkit. After all, that technology is in the game already.
Mike
: The paint kit is finally added. Sure is nice to bring it to the same
: capability as NASCAR. Now if they would just beef the paint kit up a
: bit, that would be even better.
You say you'd like the paintkit beefed up a bit : what would
you like to see? (besides fixes of annoying bugs!;)
--
Josh DuBois
Carleton College, Northfield, MN
