Race great cars in great games


GTR 2

The PC racing simulation category isn't whatdriving school, unlocking a few championships
it once was. While the PC used to be home toand competing in a few of these early series.
a big variety of classic, in-depth racing simIn all, if you go so far as to compete in all
series, the ever-increasing power of game142 challenges found in GTR 2, you'll be well
consoles and the promise of more sales haveon your way to mastering the fundamentals of
led many would-be racing developers todriving quickly and have a good idea of how
abandon the PC altogether. Consider SimBin'sthe  many  tracks found in the game operate.
GTR 2, the sequel to 2005's GTR FIA Racing, a
hearkening back to the good old days of simOnce you're done with the tutorials and have
racing. It's an expansive and challengingbuilt up a heap of early-game confidence,
sequel to one of the best racing games ofyou'll find a number of game modes and
last year and, at its price, it remains oneoptions in GTR 2 just waiting to beat you
of the best bargains of the year for the PC.down and bring you back to earth. Open
practice and time trial are two good ways to
Wave the green flag because it's time to goimprove your lap time. The inclusion of a
racing  in  GTR  2.color-coded racing line feature similar to
that found in Forza Motorsport is a nice
From a content standpoint, GTR 2 isn't thattouch--though the one found in GTR 2 isn't as
much different from the original. The gamedynamic as the feature in Forza. As a result,
still revolves around GT racing--a compellingyou'll often find points where you can
mixture of multiclass sports cars from makers"fudge" the race line in order to gain a few
such as Ferrari, Porsche, TVR, Saleen, andextra tenths. The same can be said for the
many more, all competing on a cosmopolitanturn indicator signs that pop up when turning
lineup of real-life tracks from all over thelaps, which also suggest the gear you should
world. Additionally, the driving model, whichbe in to attack a particular corner. Many
so authentically captured the thrilling yettimes you can safely ignore the recommended
often twitchy experience of driving a highlygear in favor of what you know works better
tuned sports car in the original GTR, is evenin  a  particular  car.
more finely tuned in the sequel. The lion's
share of the game's improvements, then, canWith multiple car classes available, you'll
be seen in the slight planing down of theeasily  find  a  ride  to  suit  your speed.
original  game's often steep learning curve.
GTR 2's three main racing modes are race
The first and most obvious way the GTRweekend, championships, and 24-hour race. A
developers have done this is through therace weekend is a single event, complete with
driving school, an expansive tutorial thatmultiple practice and qualifying rounds, as
has seemingly been designed to take you fromwell as the actual race itself. Championship
the ground up--from your first moments in themode includes both the 2003 and 2004 official
car to competing tightly with the game'sFIA GT seasons, as well as the custom
demanding artificially intelligent driverschampionships you open up by completing
(or with up to 27 other players via thechallenges in the driving school. New for GTR
game's excellent online multiplayer racing).2 are the 24-hour races on tracks such as
Categories covered in driving school includeSpa-Franchorchamps, Monza, and China's Zuhai
the basics, such as acceleration and braking,circuit. You can scale down these grueling
up through cornering and overtaking, andendurance races to a more manageable size
finally, into section-by-section breakdowns(say one or three hours) and still experience
of many of the tracks featured in the game.the same gradual day-to-night transition you
Each category includes a text breakdown thatwould  in  a  24-hour  race.
covers the theory behind each racing concept,
as well as the specific goal you need toThere are three difficulty levels to choose
accomplish in order to pass that particularfrom--novice, semi-pro, and simulation. And,
challenge. You can also practice theas you may expect, the difference in handling
challenge before an "official" attemptbetween novice and simulation is dramatic. At
against the ghost car or watch the ghostthe novice level, every option from antilock
car's lap to view proper braking or turn-inbraking to various aids, such as stability
points, which is essential for some of theand braking assists, are available to be
trickier challenges. By beating challenges,toggled on and off at your discretion. The
you unlock a host of restricted-classsemi-pro level turns off most of these aids
championships that are graded in difficultybut leaves traction control and your ABS
levels; some of the first championships yousystem intact. The simulation level of
open are quite easy and serve as an excellentdifficulty grays out all options and leaves
introduction to the kind of intense on-trackyou on the asphalt with only your skill
action that forms the heart of the game.behind the wheel (and whatever deity you pray
Those new to the series are well served byto) to count on.
simply going through the basic tutorials in



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