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This is a European sport, though it has been aired in America on Speedvision, and PASS/Fox Sports Net. Basically, it consists of the years best FIA World Rally Championship drivers. They then are put in equal cars and run side by side on a looping track in a best 2 of 3 format at a Canary Islands Track. This determines the Ladder, much like Drag Racing. In a way, it's like the Rally Championship MVP or All-Star race.
So, how's the Game? Glad you asked. It's the best arcade game. I mean it's the best simluation engine. I mean it's just the best Simultainment you can buy right now (other than Escape from Monkey Island).
Oddly, like Test Drive LeMans, it is based around 1 event. The WRC Race of Champions at the Canary Islands (Gran Canaria). Unlike TD:LMS, this game has plenty in the box. There are several fictional Race of Champions tracks, along with 4 car offroad races (same car, same track), as well as rally races.
The physics are spot-on and give a good feel for the car. Wheather you use pedals or the keyboard, you'll be powersliding and giving it opposite lock. Adjustable dificulty gives everyone a chance. Car setups are spartan, but appropriate. Relative gearing, suspension, tires, etc. let you pick the setup style for the course you'll run. Automatic gears are also available.
I hope to see the one
event format take off, as there are plenty of Great Events to model like
the Paris-Dakar Rally, Baja 1000, Pikes Peak Hillclimb, Isle of Man TT,
and a few others.
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NOTES
How is there a game based on 1 track? Extra (realistic) tracks and race modes, even a rally segment. Tha WRC class on the Gran Canaria track is the only REAL event
What cars/classes are in the game? Plenty of cars, from Formula 2, World Rally, and Legendary Marques. Some are locked, so you'll need to D/L the patch to drive all cars.
Tips:
Driving:
If you flip or
tip, keep driving. Even though it's an external view, your car is
live.
Co-Driver:
What's those
funny phrases?
He'll speak in
the form: {Long, 1-5, Hairpin, Square} {Left, Right, Straight} {Caution:
Bridge, Jump...}
He's discussing the
upcoming road abnormalities. This first part is the severity of the
turn, 1 being a no steer to 5 being a virtual hairpin. Hairpin and 90's
are indicated by him telling you explicitly. The next part is wheather
you'll turn left, right, or be going on a straight segment. If anything
will be in the road, he'll warn you with Caution! Jump, or Bridge.
(NOTE: CMR2 uses opposite logic, IE 1 is the sharpest turn)
Is there a demo? Yes, and it's even the real track these guys compete on. Get it at 3dfiles.com.
The tracks are nice, and between classes or events the gates can be switched and you'll have a different course in the same location. (Like Midtown Madness)
I don't know if it's complainable, but there is no over-rev engine damage. But with the price of these cars there SHOULD be engine management so I'm not complaining.
Pros:
Legend Cars, Excellent
Physics. Playable via keyboard. Rally and autocross racing
in one game. Excellent graphics, car models, and effects. Realistic
sound, turbos whine, bumps grind... Cars modelled with individual
damage levels, reliabilities, and proper drive (FWD, RWD, 4WD). Even 7th
Gear!
Cons:
(This is mostly nitpicking,
it is a really GREAT game) Cars show damage, but damage model is soft.
Damage remains until you fix it, but visually repaired after each stage.
Windshield does not show rain, snow, mud, cracks. Real driver names
NOT used in RALLY option. Arcade-style gauges in the In-Car view.
In single-seaters, Co-Driver still can be heard speaking. Camera
cuts to external view upon flipping. Invisible wall restricts excessive
off-road driving.
Rating: 4.5 of 5 It's good, but a wee bit watered down. Better than GP3, more fun than GPL, but less realistic than N4.