Help starting out appreciated

[seadog777]

Just bought PC2 from PSN as on sale (65% off!!).

It downloaded (so I thought) and I started looking around.

I only have the "quick race" or options selectable. Career and other bits greyed out.

In quick race there is Custom Race or Private Testing - both have one car (a Mclaren) and one track (Long Beach).

Do you need to "progress" or anything to get the rest of the game??

Thanks for any advice / tips / info!

 

[Drex124]

Check your notifications on your PS4, sounds like it hasn't downloaded everything yet.

 

[Sentry87]

Just bought PC2 from PSN as on sale (65% off!!).

It downloaded (so I thought) and I started looking around.

I only have the "quick race" or options selectable. Career and other bits greyed out.

In quick race there is Custom Race or Private Testing - both have one car (a Mclaren) and one track (Long Beach).

Do you need to "progress" or anything to get the rest of the game??

Thanks for any advice / tips / info!

The game is not done installing yet. All cars, game modes and tracks are available from the start (outside of the DLC). THe game lets you use 720S at Long Beach while it installs.

 

[seadog777]

Thanks both! That's exactly what happened. When I bought it last night I got a notification saying it had downloaded and was installed on the PS4.
Checked this morning and was running as described above but was downloading "something" that I thought was the free "fun pack".... but no, it was the rest of the game!
Cheers, looking forward to seeing how it compares to GT Sport!!

 

[slthree]

Thanks both! That's exactly what happened. When I bought it last night I got a notification saying it had downloaded and was installed on the PS4.
Checked this morning and was running as described above but was downloading "something" that I thought was the free "fun pack".... but no, it was the rest of the game!
Cheers, looking forward to seeing how it compares to GT Sport!!

Welcome to PC2 seadog

I'm very interested in how you compare this game to GTS because I came from GTS myself. My story is chronicled in other threads here but I can tell you that I first bought project cars 2 and after trying to play it for a few days I shelved it because it was too hard for me.

I broke down and got GTS and played that for quite a while. At the time I was a controller user and GTS was much easier to use.

I spent a great deal of time on liveries because it's the first time I've run into something like that and my daughter thought it was cool. I enjoyed driving for a while until all the cars felt exactly the same to me and all the cars sounded the same to me. On top of that, I really wanted a career mode because I'm mostly an offline player.

So, I finally re downloaded PC2, began slowly and got a lot of great information from these forums. I found project cars 2 to be so much harder to control the car but I eventually got a wheel and slowly learned to drive for the first time properly.

Every car feels different to me and the sounds are different. For me, the career mode is fulfilling. The multi-class races are phenomenal.

Every once in a while I wonder if I'm missing somethings and re-download GTS. I've downloaded and deleted it five or six times.

Its just not visceral enough for me. It's hard to explain but it feels plastic and simple. I always get mad at myself for even trying it again. This is not to knock GTS because I had a lot of fun with it but it was not as as SATISFYING as PC2 to me.

Keep in mind that my perspective is from an offline player

 

[Sick Cylinder]

Thanks both! That's exactly what happened. When I bought it last night I got a notification saying it had downloaded and was installed on the PS4.
Checked this morning and was running as described above but was downloading "something" that I thought was the free "fun pack".... but no, it was the rest of the game!
Cheers, looking forward to seeing how it compares to GT Sport!!

I hope you are able to give it plenty of time and don't expect too much too soon. I find the cars take quite a while to get used to and it is much harder to produce consistent lap times - braking slightly too late is punished - but I find it very satisfying when I click with a track and car combination.

 

[seadog777]

Thanks SC and sl3..... really good advice. Shouldn't judge a game until you've found your way around it and had some practice.
I am fiddling with wheel settings to try and get a setup that works well. Very different feel to GTS so far.
Early days and no comments or comparisons yet!
Have blasted the Bentley Speed 8 around an oval!! Great! Started my career in the Ginetta, qualified 11th (not as bad as it seems as only 1 second off first!) and finished 6th (but gained most of those places at the start!). I have dropped AI "skill" down to 40 and aggression down to 30, just while I get started.......

 

[seadog777]

Hello again!
Well, haven't played nearly as much as I should because been immersed in GTS!

Have put a few hours in, came third in first tournament (career mode / Ginetta) but what really held me up and put me off flashing it up was the Silverstone race in that tournament in the rain. Started 5th, quickly got to first and then it rained. After many, many tries, and many unexpected spins, I finally just nursed the car around the track and came 4th. AI didn't seem to be bothered by the rain, I most certainly was. I've looked and can't see that rain can be switched off!!

The other issue is the wheel settings..... I just can't get it right and have tried lots of advice from this forum. I can't get a natural feel. For example, sometimes I can turn the wheel a few degrees, zero resistance, other times high resistance, other times it just seems to "flick" for no reason. Not knowing whether I'm going to get resistance or not is making it not easy!

A few other "issues".... I tried to turn the track section on the HUD off, it's pretty useless for me as too zoomed-in and it takes up a lot of the screen. I'd found an on/off setting (had to use controller as wheel didn't work) and switched to "off" but there it was again next race!

Having said all that, there's a lot to like about the game and I will likely be playing much more in future.... if only I could get the wheel to behave! It's fine on GTS and F1 2018.
No doubt all the little quirks will become manageable once I get used to it!!

 

[slthree]

In career mode, you have no control over the weather. Rain can be frustrating but you'll learn to live with it.

You can only control weather when you set up custom races.

To turn off the track map (or anything else) in HUD you need to first press square to activate the box you want to customize. Then, cycle with the triangle button and one of the options is "off".

You must make sure to put the little circular pointer on the "Save" button (which is rectangular shaped, and press X

If it saved, it will back you out of that screen. This is permanent and will stay as you set it, both in and out of career mode.

But, you have to set it individually for each view and save each one.

I have a Fanatec CSL Elite wheel and I've settled on settings that feel very good. Of course, it takes time to get that right.

I don't know what wheel you use but I'm certain you'll find good settings. My wheel allows me to make individual settings on the wheel itself and then I adjusted the settings in game.

 

[seadog777]

In career mode, you have no control over the weather. Rain can be frustrating but you'll learn to live with it.

You can only control weather when you set up custom races.

To turn off the track map (or anything else) in HUD you need to first press square to activate the box you want to customize. Then, cycle with the triangle button and one of the options is "off".

You must make sure to put the little circular pointer on the "Save" button (which is rectangular shaped, and press X

If it saved, it will back you out of that screen. This is permanent and will stay as you set it, both in and out of career mode.

But, you have to set it individually for each view and save each one.

I have a Fanatec CSL Elite wheel and I've settled on settings that feel very good. Of course, it takes time to get that right.

I don't know what wheel you use but I'm certain you'll find good settings. My wheel allows me to make individual settings on the wheel itself and then I adjusted the settings in game.

Thanks SLthree! Have now managed to turn the map off in HUD...... think I didn't press "save" last time.

Yes, I'll keep fiddling with the wheel..... I think the trouble is there are so many settings for it, it's getting the right mix! In GTS you have 2 only, which makes it much quicker to find the sweet spot, but probably not as precise.

Will come back with a comparison once I've spent a decent amount of time with it.

 

[slthree]

A decent amount of time is exactly what anyone needs to really "get" this game

I tried GTS about a month ago, played in Sport Mode for a week, numerous races. Some of my experience was thrilling but there were so many things I missed:

Limited tracks
Only 1 cockpit view
No customizable camera views
No HUD customization
No Spotter
Too easy to drive on the limit
Didn't "feel" elevation changes (Bathurst)
No fear of random failure in the pits
No great/distinct car sounds
No career mode

There are still things I'm discovering over a year later.

I've only just recently started tinkering with the FOV settings and I'm astonished how deep it is. The options are insane.

If you don't get motion sickness, you have to look in to the options where the FOV gets really close up and the camera turns in to the curves. Then it widens progressively as you increase speed (so you feel the speed sensation better) and can be set to really wide on Long straights.

It's so impressive that I have downloaded 4 YouTube videos and watch them over and over. It's helped me a lot. You can get lost in these camera settings

 

[Beezer215]

Just be patient and drive drive drive. I'm still using features in this game for the first time. Seems like I'm on a Rallycross kick right now. Being able to use a multitude of different cars/trucks on the multitude of rallycross tracks is time consuming and thrilling to say the least.
Vintage cars/tracks. Really the list goes on and on. A real ability to tune the cars.
The more you play, the better the game gets. You'll get the wheel where you want it. Remember that in this game you might need to adjust some FFB settings to fit certain classes of cars to your liking. There may not be a "set it and forget it" setting for you.
Get ready for your GTS to get dusty. If I have time to get a daily car real quick I bust it out. And for the updates to try a new car but truthfully, after you play PC2 or AC, all the cars in GTS just feel more or less the same. In PC2 you get the feeling you're in that car you're driving more so.

 

[seadog777]

Thanks again guys!

In GTS I usually drive with ABS on "default" and Traction Control at 1 or 0 (sometimes 2) depending on car. No other assists.

I noticed I had "Driving Assist" in PC2 set to "Authentic"..... which probably means the Ginetta doesn't have them!!

So, I changed that to "Full", with ABS low, Stability Control ON and TC low. What a difference!! The only one I consider cheating is stability control (do any real cars have that???).

The game has suddenly become much more manageable, and therefore much more fun!

I would recommend anyone starting out with this to switch some driving aids on. Huge difference and they can be turned off as you get used to playing.

Sure there are plenty that would advise switching off and getting used to driving properly, but for me, for now, it makes the difference between starting PC2 or not!

PS - braking and steering assist are still off.

 

[VFOURMAX1]

Thanks again guys!

In GTS I usually drive with ABS on "default" and Traction Control at 1 or 0 (sometimes 2) depending on car. No other assists.

I noticed I had "Driving Assist" in PC2 set to "Authentic"..... which probably means the Ginetta doesn't have them!!

So, I changed that to "Full", with ABS low, Stability Control ON and TC low. What a difference!! The only one I consider cheating is stability control (do any real cars have that???).

The game has suddenly become much more manageable, and therefore much more fun!

I would recommend anyone starting out with this to switch some driving aids on. Huge difference and they can be turned off as you get used to playing.

Sure there are plenty that would advise switching off and getting used to driving properly, but for me, for now, it makes the difference between starting PC2 or not!

PS - braking and steering assist are still off.

Learning curve or how to approach such is an individual preference, where you find that using the aids makes the game better for you I find that the use of the aids although may make things easier initially over the long run it increases the amount of time and can hinder in fully coming to grips with the game and reaching maximum pace in the game.

I find that sticking with one car and basically one track during the initial process of learning the games physics or what it allows but with no aids activated that I would not be using throughout the game then although at first the pace may be slower and sometimes it can be frustrating that for the long haul once I start getting comfortable with how the game reacts to my control inputs then basically I am more prepared within a quicker time frame to actually adapt to the different cars, tracks and traction conditions of any situation the game may present you with.

For me anyway using the aids to make it easier makes every time I cut an aid down or off I need to start all over to an extent learning what the game will actually allow or not allow me to get away with before my actions result in a mistake.

I would rather get that learning curve over once and for all in the beginning rather than to an extent keep repeating it by employing the aids to make it easier.

Just my way and my opinion.

 

[seadog777]

Learning curve or how to approach such is an individual preference, where you find that using the aids makes the game better for you I find that the use of the aids although may make things easier initially over the long run it increases the amount of time and can hinder in fully coming to grips with the game and reaching maximum pace in the game.

I find that sticking with one car and basically one track during the initial process of learning the games physics or what it allows but with no aids activated that I would not be using throughout the game then although at first the pace may be slower and sometimes it can be frustrating that for the long haul once I start getting comfortable with how the game reacts to my control inputs then basically I am more prepared within a quicker time frame to actually adapt to the different cars, tracks and traction conditions of any situation the game may present you with.

For me anyway using the aids to make it easier makes every time I cut an aid down or off I need to start all over to an extent learning what the game will actually allow or not allow me to get away with before my actions result in a mistake.

I would rather get that learning curve over once and for all in the beginning rather than to an extent keep repeating it by employing the aids to make it easier.

Just my way and my opinion.

Thanks for the advice, it's appreciated. I did try, but the thing was I was getting so frustrated with it that I was hardly opening PC2 up! Persevered, tried the assists and they make a world of difference.

I'm going to leave them on until I've found my way around the game, got used to the rain (and I had snow today too!!) and understand the physics of it all a bit better.

Sure I will have to relearn when I switch off Stability, but it won't be as much to learn.... if you see what I mean!

 

[slthree]

Thanks for the advice, it's appreciated. I did try, but the thing was I was getting so frustrated with it that I was hardly opening PC2 up! Persevered, tried the assists and they make a world of difference.

I'm going to leave them on until I've found my way around the game, got used to the rain (and I had snow today too!!) and understand the physics of it all a bit better.

Sure I will have to relearn when I switch off Stability, but it won't be as much to learn.... if you see what I mean!

I think you're doing it right. I started with assists on except for steering and braking assistance. I had them off from the beginning. Although, I do understand why @VFOURMAX1 has a different approach. If I was starting from scratch, I might actually do it his way.

Under the assists tab, I used to use all on and now I'm using Authentic. I can't remember who steered me in that direction but I'm so thankful they did

When you go from using a modern GT3 car that has a bunch of natural assists to an older car that has almost no assists, it is, in my opinion, the real beauty of this game.

You immediately know you have to drive differently and much smoother and more carefully. You have to take SEVERAL slow to medium laps before you really feel like you can ramp it up and go full speed.

 

[seadog777]

I think you're doing out right. I started with assists on except for steering and braking assistance. I had them off from the beginning. Although, I do understand why @VFOURMAX1 has a different approach. If I was starting from scratch, I might actually do it his way.

Under the assists tab, I used to use all on and now I'm using Authentic. I can't remember who stared me in that direction but I'm so thankful they did

When you go from using a modern GT3 car that has a bunch of natural assists to an older car that has almost no assists, it is, in my opinion, the real beauty of this game.

You immediately know you have to drive differently and much smoother and more carefully. You have to take SEVERAL slow to medium laps before you really feel like you can ramp it up and go full speed.

Understood - for me it's "slow but sure"!!

 

[VFOURMAX1]

Understood - for me it's "slow but sure"!!

One thing I saw by one of your earlier post was that apparently you started a career right off as you were dealing with rain and weather. I usually am doing practice laps until I can get where I can run some laps with some consistency in my lap times and then I go to custom races where I still control the race conditions.

Trying to race in the different weather conditions to me would be a nightmare as early on I would not know whether it was the reduced traction of the weather or my still not coming to grips with the tire grip, handling physics of the game or the car I had chosen and would be a nightmare.

I also use authentic setting but the goal is still use as little to no traction control on the cars as possible. Brake bias I will adjust but so far I am sticking with base setups as I learn the game.

I have not played much as I have other things taking my time and what playing I had been doing was on PS4. I just downloaded the game on the PC but have yet to play it on that platform so I do not know whether that will put me back to ground zero or not.

It really does not matter as I like the game and I am in no hurry to reach any certain level with it.

As long as we enjoy playing as gamers offline there is no right or wrong way, it is what we enjoy for ourselves!

 

[seadog777]

One thing I saw by one of your earlier post was that apparently you started a career right off as you were dealing with rain and weather. I usually am doing practice laps until I can get where I can run some laps with some consistency in my lap times and then I go to custom races where I still control the race conditions.

Trying to race in the different weather conditions to me would be a nightmare as early on I would not know whether it was the reduced traction of the weather or my still not coming to grips with the tire grip, handling physics of the game or the car I had chosen and would be a nightmare.

I also use authentic setting but the goal is still use as little to no traction control on the cars as possible. Brake bias I will adjust but so far I am sticking with base setups as I learn the game.

I have not played much as I have other things taking my time and what playing I had been doing was on PS4. I just downloaded the game on the PC but have yet to play it on that platform so I do not know whether that will put me back to ground zero or not.

It really does not matter as I like the game and I am in no hurry to reach any certain level with it.

As long as we enjoy playing as gamers offline there is no right or wrong way, it is what we enjoy for ourselves!

Yes, in hindsight it might have been better to get a bit more practice in before jumping into Career! And I chose the Ginetta/UK path so bad weather should have been expected! Too late now - I reached the Clio stage (Wow, that car is slippery in the dry!!).

 

[Beezer215]

It's never too late. You can start as many drivers as you want in Career. Have at it.

 

[David Brooks]

I recommend watching this guy's you tube channel. In particular this playlist on how to drive. It was made with pcars 1 but still holds true.

It helped me to transition from gt6 to pcars immensely.