| The PC racing simulation category isn't what | | | | driving school, unlocking a few championships |
| it once was. While the PC used to be home to | | | | and competing in a few of these early series. |
| a big variety of classic, in-depth racing sim | | | | In all, if you go so far as to compete in all |
| series, the ever-increasing power of game | | | | 142 challenges found in GTR 2, you'll be well |
| consoles and the promise of more sales have | | | | on your way to mastering the fundamentals of |
| led many would-be racing developers to | | | | driving quickly and have a good idea of how |
| abandon the PC altogether. Consider SimBin's | | | | the 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 sim | | | | Once you're done with the tutorials and have |
| racing. It's an expansive and challenging | | | | built up a heap of early-game confidence, |
| sequel to one of the best racing games of | | | | you'll find a number of game modes and |
| last year and, at its price, it remains one | | | | options 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 go | | | | improve 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 that | | | | touch--though the one found in GTR 2 isn't as |
| much different from the original. The game | | | | dynamic as the feature in Forza. As a result, |
| still revolves around GT racing--a compelling | | | | you'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, and | | | | extra tenths. The same can be said for the |
| many more, all competing on a cosmopolitan | | | | turn indicator signs that pop up when turning |
| lineup of real-life tracks from all over the | | | | laps, which also suggest the gear you should |
| world. Additionally, the driving model, which | | | | be in to attack a particular corner. Many |
| so authentically captured the thrilling yet | | | | times you can safely ignore the recommended |
| often twitchy experience of driving a highly | | | | gear in favor of what you know works better |
| tuned sports car in the original GTR, is even | | | | in a particular car. |
| more finely tuned in the sequel. The lion's | | | | |
| share of the game's improvements, then, can | | | | With multiple car classes available, you'll |
| be seen in the slight planing down of the | | | | easily 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 GTR | | | | weekend, championships, and 24-hour race. A |
| developers have done this is through the | | | | race weekend is a single event, complete with |
| driving school, an expansive tutorial that | | | | multiple practice and qualifying rounds, as |
| has seemingly been designed to take you from | | | | well as the actual race itself. Championship |
| the ground up--from your first moments in the | | | | mode includes both the 2003 and 2004 official |
| car to competing tightly with the game's | | | | FIA GT seasons, as well as the custom |
| demanding artificially intelligent drivers | | | | championships you open up by completing |
| (or with up to 27 other players via the | | | | challenges 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 include | | | | Spa-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, and | | | | endurance 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 that | | | | would in a 24-hour race. |
| covers the theory behind each racing concept, | | | | |
| as well as the specific goal you need to | | | | There are three difficulty levels to choose |
| accomplish in order to pass that particular | | | | from--novice, semi-pro, and simulation. And, |
| challenge. You can also practice the | | | | as you may expect, the difference in handling |
| challenge before an "official" attempt | | | | between novice and simulation is dramatic. At |
| against the ghost car or watch the ghost | | | | the novice level, every option from antilock |
| car's lap to view proper braking or turn-in | | | | braking to various aids, such as stability |
| points, which is essential for some of the | | | | and 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-class | | | | semi-pro level turns off most of these aids |
| championships that are graded in difficulty | | | | but leaves traction control and your ABS |
| levels; some of the first championships you | | | | system intact. The simulation level of |
| open are quite easy and serve as an excellent | | | | difficulty grays out all options and leaves |
| introduction to the kind of intense on-track | | | | you 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 by | | | | to) to count on. |
| simply going through the basic tutorials in | | | | |