Anybody tried Initial D or Corvette for the PC?

I saw both of these titles at my local Wal-Mart (not exactly your average software headquarters, but ya gotta browse where and when you can, right?). I did a quick search for reviews or demos, and I couldn't find anything on either title. The Corvette title looked pretty interesting -- it's distributed by TDK, and it LOOKS a lot like a Corvette-based version of Mercedes-Benz World Racing, but I think the developer was Steel Monkeys, not Synetic (who developed both MBTR and MBWR). Still, if Corvette is anywhere near MBWR or the new Ford Racing II, it could turn out to be an interesting arcade racer -- something along the lines of NFS:PU, perhaps. Initial D looks like it might be an interesting arcade racer, too, given that it's based on a hugely popular Japanese comic book. Dunno about the physics or use of a storyline, though (or even if it DOES follow any kind of storyline). I held out high hopes for Codemaster's Pro Race Driver becasue I thought a story-driven racer with reasonably-believable physics (like NFS:PU, for example) would be VERY engaging, but the physics were deplorable, IMO . . . not even up to "arcade" levels of enjoyment. So, anyway, has anybody tried either Initial D or Corvette for the PC, and if so, is it worth picking up either title? Enquiring minds want to know! ;-) -- JB

I just happen to be working on a review that compares FR2 and Corvette. ;) Probably post it here soon. Here's the short version. FR2 is the clear winner. Corvette feels unfinished, even for a budget arcade title. The interface is clumsy and there are some bizarre graphic glitches such as cars with no drivers in them. Audio is nothing special and car setup consists of choosing between an automatic or a manual transmission. If you want to tweak the enormous deadzone, you need a joystick configuration utility. On 27 Feb 2004 05:41:32 -0800, [email hidden] (jbodin) wrote:

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>I saw both of these titles at my local Wal-Mart (not exactly your >average software headquarters, but ya gotta browse where and when you >can, right?). I did a quick search for reviews or demos, and I >couldn't find anything on either title. > >The Corvette title looked pretty interesting -- it's distributed by >TDK, and it LOOKS a lot like a Corvette-based version of Mercedes-Benz >World Racing, but I think the developer was Steel Monkeys, not Synetic >(who developed both MBTR and MBWR). Still, if Corvette is anywhere >near MBWR or the new Ford Racing II, it could turn out to be an >interesting arcade racer -- something along the lines of NFS:PU, >perhaps. > >Initial D looks like it might be an interesting arcade racer, too, >given that it's based on a hugely popular Japanese comic book. Dunno >about the physics or use of a storyline, though (or even if it DOES >follow any kind of storyline). I held out high hopes for Codemaster's >Pro Race Driver becasue I thought a story-driven racer with >reasonably-believable physics (like NFS:PU, for example) would be VERY >engaging, but the physics were deplorable, IMO . . . not even up to >"arcade" levels of enjoyment. > >So, anyway, has anybody tried either Initial D or Corvette for the PC, >and if so, is it worth picking up either title? Enquiring minds want >to know! > >;-) > >-- JB

Remove "hi" from address or it will bounce....

Let it be known that on 27 Feb 2004 05:41:32 -0800, [email hidden] (jbodin) wrote:

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>Initial D looks like it might be an interesting arcade racer, too, >given that it's based on a hugely popular Japanese comic book. Dunno >about the physics or use of a storyline, though (or even if it DOES >follow any kind of storyline). I held out high hopes for Codemaster's >Pro Race Driver becasue I thought a story-driven racer with >reasonably-believable physics (like NFS:PU, for example) would be VERY >engaging, but the physics were deplorable, IMO . . . not even up to >"arcade" levels of enjoyment.

The recent American Initial D PC game is quite bad (as opposed to the fantastic Japanese arcade game (which I thing was also released on the PS2)). Let's see the problems: * One word: Valusoft. That alone should be enough to make you run tot he hills screaming... * I could not split the Z axis into both gas and brake, so Z had to entirely be all gas or all brake. * The controls I did get to work were extremely squirrely. I suppose they are trying to make it easier to drift, but it was way too much. (This was done much better in the Japanese Playstation Initial D game) * It was impossible to see anything. I know it is supposed to be at night, but they could at least have added a gamma or brightness option. * Then there is my whole beef with how Tokyopop f***ed up the anime/manga in Americanizing it. Frankly, it's not worth the $20. Luckily I had a friend play the fool and actually buy this.

FWIW, I'm working on a FR2 Camera Utility now that will allow you to change the current "bumper cam" view to a higher viewpoint (more of a driver's seat perspective and less close to the ground, so you won't be looking UP at other cars' bumpers), as well as a proper "cowl" view, which will enable you to actually see the hood of your car in front of you. A proper cockpit view isn't do-able because of modeling/clipping issues, but the modified camera views that I have come up with really help enhance the game, IMO. LMK if you'd be interested in sampling what I've come up with prior to release. Looking forward to your review of FR2 and Corvette, BTW! :-D -- JB himrlipid <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

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> I just happen to be working on a review that > compares FR2 and Corvette. ;) Probably post it > here soon. > > Here's the short version. FR2 is the clear > winner. Corvette feels unfinished, even for a > budget arcade title. The interface is clumsy and > there are some bizarre graphic glitches such as > cars with no drivers in them. Audio is nothing > special and car setup consists of choosing between > an automatic or a manual transmission. If you > want to tweak the enormous deadzone, you need a > joystick configuration utility. > > On 27 Feb 2004 05:41:32 -0800, [email hidden] > (jbodin) wrote: > > >I saw both of these titles at my local Wal-Mart (not exactly your > >average software headquarters, but ya gotta browse where and when you > >can, right?). I did a quick search for reviews or demos, and I > >couldn't find anything on either title. > > > >The Corvette title looked pretty interesting -- it's distributed by > >TDK, and it LOOKS a lot like a Corvette-based version of Mercedes-Benz > >World Racing, but I think the developer was Steel Monkeys, not Synetic > >(who developed both MBTR and MBWR). Still, if Corvette is anywhere > >near MBWR or the new Ford Racing II, it could turn out to be an > >interesting arcade racer -- something along the lines of NFS:PU, > >perhaps. > > > >Initial D looks like it might be an interesting arcade racer, too, > >given that it's based on a hugely popular Japanese comic book. Dunno > >about the physics or use of a storyline, though (or even if it DOES > >follow any kind of storyline). I held out high hopes for Codemaster's > >Pro Race Driver becasue I thought a story-driven racer with > >reasonably-believable physics (like NFS:PU, for example) would be VERY > >engaging, but the physics were deplorable, IMO . . . not even up to > >"arcade" levels of enjoyment. > > > >So, anyway, has anybody tried either Initial D or Corvette for the PC, > >and if so, is it worth picking up either title? Enquiring minds want > >to know! > > > >;-) > > > >-- JB > > > Remove "hi" from address or it will bounce....

corvette sucks