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| Game: |
TOCA Race Driver 2 The Ultimate Racing Simulator |
| Genre: |
Racing |
| Developer: |
Codemasters Software |
| Publisher: |
Codemasters Software |
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| Related Links: |
Coming Soon. |
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TOCA Race Driver 2 The Ultimate Racing Simulator Preview: |
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Hands On Preview:
With what can only be regarded as a time when the xbox has more than its fair share of quality driving titles either currently available or on there way, the question must be is there room for another? Well it appears Codemasters think so and after hours behind the wheel (well controller) all I can say is, thank Codemasters for TOCA Race Driver 2: Ultimate Racing Simulator which is not only coming to xbox but comes complete with xbox LIVE on-line play and features 15 different racing styles with it “yes I did say 15 styles”.
TOCA 2 takes the Codemasters series of TOCA titles into a new era, now not only focusing on Touring Cars, Codemasters have expanded the game to include 15 various styles of racing which include Rally Cross, Ice Racing, Hot Rods, Formula Ford, DTM (Touring Cars) & Ford Mustang to name but a few. There are a total of 33 Championships and 58 tracks and a total of 35 different cars!
TOCA 2 features a story mode which has become common practice with many titles including Codemasters previous TOCA outing on the xbox and featured in there Colin McRae series. Unlike the previous titles, TOCA 2 does allow you to progress thru the game without having to win every race. Why? Some of the goals require you to win a certain amount of cash, whilst others might just need you to beat a certain driver, no matter where you finish in that race. The objectives are built into the story line which is now shown as FMV cut scenes which speeds up loading times.
Each and every car featured are accurately recreated from extensive data used by Codemasters collaboration with the vehicle manufacturers, every vehicle now not only looks like its real life counterpart but handles, accelerates and brakes accordingly.
A new feature to TOCA 2 is the “Terminal Damage Engine”, which Codemasters claim to be the most realistic damage engine ever created or featured in any previous racing games. So what does this mean? Well metal bends, glass shatters and plastics explode with each and every impact, punishing you for any reckless driving.
No longer can you simply crash and continue without remorse, use your opponents as your brake, collide with the walls or barriers and you will be punished. Tyres explode, wheels smash off, your gearbox and engine sustains damage and before you know it you could be out of the race. Now taking damage to the next level Codemasters now use audio and visual cues when damage is inflicted. In addition to the now standard damaged body work and flying debris you will also be able to hear your gearbox dropping gears, engine clanking, brakes screaming and other internal malfunctions, and as Codemasters would say “when your car hurts, you’ll know all about it!”
Graphically there are no vast improvements over previous Codemasters titles, the crowds are still static and the distant scenery is lifeless, but don’t get me wrong because TOCA 2 is graphically impressive, the cars and immediate surroundings are of the highest standards which we have come to expect from one the UK’s leading developers and publishers.
Unfortunately the preview version we have available did not include LIVE play, yet from the single player experience we can see that this is shaping up to be an exceptional racer. Unlike other LIVE racing titles, LIVE gamers will be unable to simply smash and grab the win thanks to Codemasters “Terminal Damage Engine” which encourages gamers to avoid rather than simply collide! TOCA Race Driver 2: Ultimate Racing Simulator is currently scheduled for release in Europe towards the end of April 2004, see get set to don your overalls, rev your engine and we’ll see you all on the starting grid.
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