The designers have clearly gone for the TOCA 2 approach - an arcade game
which has some credible sim elements with limited tweakability.
I wasn't expecting much from the game, but was pleasantly surprised at the
actual Le Mans circuit graphics, topography and the general car physics
modelling. The cars are fun to drive and feel powerful.
This will be going straight back to EB though, as I'm sure the PC version,
out later, will be graphically superior and will play more satsfactorily on
a decent wheel (the PSX dual shock controller isn't up to the job on this
occasion, in my view).
At times I wondered if we'd ever see this game, as its been in development
for some time. While, to me, it isn't in the class of RC2000, N3 or GPL, or
even SCGT/GP500, it's fun to play and, at last, one can race around the
Sarthe circuit. As someone so rightly said on this newsgroup the other day,
these things are above all else games and, as a game, I quite like it.
If they produce more of a sim feel with the PC version, then Le Mans 24
hours will be a winner; not only with the casual arcade racer, but with the
super-critical folk on this newsgroup too.
Plus points -
- It is clear that the design team has put a lot of effort into the game.
- Nice graphics - the Le Mans circuit is convincingly modelled.
- Cars look and feel good.
- Quite nice pre-race interface.
- Easy to pick up and play (if you like that sort of thing).
- Save game facility (i.e. you can race the full 24 hours in several
sittings).
- You can simulate the 24 hour race in several time options.
- Transitions from day to night and vice versa.
- Changeable weather.
Minus points -
- Absolutely awful pit stop interface (you adjust your car as you watch
highlights of other cars
still racing) - hopefully the PC version will change this.
- No in-car view, bar a bumper view, which is not a disaster by any means.
- Only 16 cars in a full 24 hour race - perhaps will be different on PC?.
- Repetitive and unoriginal Tiff Needell commentary (no offence Tiff, I just
hate in-game
commentaries) - can be switched off however.
- Bizarre selection of other fantasy tracks which are named after famous
parts of the Le Mans
circuit.
- One lap qualifying.
- Very limited set-up of car.
What I would most liked to have seen that's not included -
- More realistic qualifying/practice sessions.
- Full grid.
- Decent pit-lane sequence.
- Bigger variety of in-car views.
- An "old circuit" option without those dreary, but real, chicanes along
Mulsanne.
EB tell me they expect the PC version on December 10th - could be
interesting.
Also just looked at the PC demo on PC Format, and it dosnt look much better.
Isn't it strange how different people have different tastes. I have just
purchased Leman, and I have to say it is one of the worse Playstation
driving games I have come across, from the wobbly graphics, to the out of
scale track, to the zero feel off driveability. The cars are sometimes
unrecognisable, and the polygon flicker and sorting problems are extreme.
And whoever thought that letting Mr Needell do the commentary would help the
product was mistaken, the commentary is bitty and patronising.
As for the sim side, or feeling involved, well there is none. Imagine my
surprise when I drove into the pits in a race, to have the view cut away to
some other car, and then when the pit stop is over the view returning to the
my car just as it leaves the pits.
Mike
Where do I find this demo ??
I cant find it on Infogrames site, or on the Le Mans game site.
Borchers
The PC demo is on the this months PC Format, but its only a rolling demo.
