Demo V2 first impressions of TOCA RD3 for PS2 and Xbox.
EDITED
After I've jumped into conclusions that Xbox and PS2 versions looks almost same except for the lack of jaggies on XB, I have to redraw my words. Futher comparation reveled that Xbox has far better models on graphicaly-demanding courses such as Spa. I did some extensive testing of XB version yesterday, and I have to say that gameplay sections of TOCA 3 on XB looks almost good as GT4.
Unfortunately, PS2 version can't compare at the point, but it still looks gorgeous, taking into concern all factors: 20 cars on track, full-damage, simulation model.
I'll stick to PS2 version, since the DFP finally works. And it works very good.
You can calibrate dead-zones, FF strength, acc and brk strength. Also, DFP works in both 240 and 900 deg mode.
I'm using 900, strong ff, no calibrations whatsoever. CLK DTM on Spa Francorchamps is a heaven.
Said that, Spa is in, many new circuits are in: all 3 new F1 circs: Bahrain, Istanbul and Shanghai, Laguna Seca (in the same daytime setting as in GT4; comparation reveals that TOCA offers a better on-track-feeling and somehow a more true-to-life emotions while driving, but GT4's graphics are stunning when compared), all V8 Supecars circuits, all DTM circuits and many more - but there is no Nordschleife or Suzuka and many worldwide circuits form TOCA2 are missing as well. But now we have Brno, Zandwoort and many "small" circuits for Karting or Hondas' Landlawer (yes, you've read well) races. Many UK circuits are back: Silverstone, Donnington, Brands Hatch, you name it.
A.I. set on 70% means nice racing, but on 90% it becomes battle for the crown. 110% is something to seriousely train for. 20 cars on track per once, very decent AI behaviour. Nice touch - in some cahmpionships there are 2 classes on track per once - mainly in GT races.
Still no JGTC, there is a championship with light-tuned NSX' and Nismo Zs and some champs with Evos and 22Bs.
Honda has it's own champioship venue, with cups for landlawers, Civics, NSXs, Honda Ariel Atoms (nice feature car) and 2006 Civics.
In-Car view is great and sound is best when racing from cabin. Left-right views are great too, and there is a option to configure the clutch button, but I have stick to manual-shifting-only so far. Stick works as in GT - down-up and vice-versa. Will try cluth tommorow.
Graphicaly, TOCA3 is not drasticaly better then TOCA2, but textures are more stable now, as far as this demo is concerned. There is still much difference in graphic of cars and tracks, but we're all been spoiled with GT4s' utter prefection. Replay is still a joke, it just looks like polished version of PSone game and has remained the biggest visual dissapointment of the series.
Weather effects are displayed in menus (sunny, rain, storm), but they do not work in demo.
As for sound, it is almost perfect, with Dolby Pro Logic II (XB features Dolby Digital of course), pit-commentaries of your beloved manager in World Tour nd Career mode and fabulous engine-noises. However, there is much place for improvement in race-sound since the noise of other cars is often too excessive when compared to their proximity.
Add-on of new championships has happend (look the previous thread for first list), and many "bonus" venues is in now, mainly featuring champioships that could never happen in real life: like V8 Supercars race on DTM or F1 circuits, or (personal favorite) Williams F1 suicidal run on Bathurst - which pretty much explains everything regarding questions like "Why there is no F1 racing on Bathurst?". There are 177 championships now in total.
Game structure reveals two main modes: World Tour (resemblance to TOCA:WTC title from PSone is obvious) and Carrer Mode (as seen on previous two games). Online, multiplayer and LAN are not unlocked in this V2 demo.
Driving sensation is much more nervous then in GT4, while braking plays very important role in driving-model. Brake-lock is very easy to achieve and the ancient proverb says: "Brake-lock leads to sliding, sliding leads to skidding, skidding leads to full-frontal-damage, and full-frontal-damage is the path to "You've wrecked your car. Retry?" screen". I just love the brake-lock in TOCA3.
"Nervous driving-model" means there is no fluidity in car-movements such as in GT4, but TOCA3 could easily become the best driving simulator available for consoles - mainly because of the way that braking and gearing works in conjuction. It is pretty difficult to explain by words, but you'll get the picture in February. The best comparation of driving model would be somewhere between F355 Challenge and GTR.
DFP works very fine indeed, and I find TOCAs' driving-model much more challenging then GT4s'. It is a way more "simulation" then any previous TOCA title and I see many hours spend in topping the V8 or DTM championships, together with all beautifull GT venues. It is not a sunday-driver game at all. With all the sim-options enabled it fairly becomes a true hard-core experience.
I see much LAN and online potential for all serious drivers out there.
Settings section allows tweaking of standard parts, with newcomers (in the series) such as toe setting or tyre management.
EDITED:
There is a new thing in series - parts tuning. All parts are licenced from known manufactorers. In some races you can tune the cars with dufferent parts, such as brakes, mufflers, injection systems, seats, roll-cages, etc (full list's coming).
The managament of parts is intresting - the vehicle has a limited number of "slots" available. Every part occupies some number of that slots, so you must micro-manage the tuning in order to achieve the desired performance. For instance, best brakes-kit take s 12 slots, while middle-kit takes only 5. You must work on efficiency rather then on full-power. Very intresting. At this point, you can't modify all vehicles in the game.
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