TOCA Race Driver 2 Review

Codemasters returns in triumph with one of the best racing games we have ever played.

There comes a time when racing against AI cars, even great AI cars such as these, isn't enough and one feels the need to take on some human opposition. TOCA Race Driver 2 is blessed with the very thorough Xbox Live setup. Races can be held with up to 12 human players and added AI cars. Damage can be controlled, even allowing frontal damage only to avoid the sort of cheating late-brakers from PGR2 ruining the fun. Private games are allowed for friends lists members only and the very good lobby system shows player nationalities as well as letting players alter car setups. The more realistic and demanding handling of RD2 may cause problems for those used to PGR2's more arcade-based gameplay, especially if childish spoilers enter your game, but with friends the Xbox Live games are wonderful. Players begin with a ranking of 1500 and spoilers are penalised, as are people who leave games early. RD2 encourages mannered online play and should be praised for that. It feels like a four wheel version of Moto GP2 - where a complex and rewarding physics model allows for a great skilled competition between friends. It's a shame the whole game isn't Live aware though, one has to log out of Xbox Live when leaving the multiplayer sessions.

So far it's mostly been rather glowing hasn't it. So why is this a nine and not a ten rated game? There are a few problems that do take the shine off things. The lack of replays is a problem in some modes, and the replay options themselves. More importantly the way cars and tracks are unlocked and used in the free race section is limiting. Some people may not want to play the career mode, and cannot instantly choose the tracks and cars they want. I do understand that Codemasters has the license for certain tracks only if set race types appear there - but many of the circuits are free of restrictions yet the game isn't. Equally there's no control over the weather in free races as the conditions are locked into each track in a competition. The lack of a save options is just as annoying. The career mode has a wonderful save system, if a championship goal is failed, the player can return to any point in the season and continue from there. So messing up the last race means only that one has to be repeated. This cannot be done in free race mode. So, the game may offer the chance to do the full distance Aussie V8 season, which the game estimates will take you over 27 hours, but doesn't offer the opportunity to save along the way. That being the case, the player would be better off playing each race singularly. One hopes this is something that can be fixed in a Live update as it makes a lot of sense.

That's enough winging for now. Let's take a look at the graphics and sound, round things up a bit, and then we can go play instead of wittering endlessly about the game. Race Driver 2 is gorgeous. The cars are beautifully detailed, with excellent lighting and fancy light blooms when the sun glints off the bodyworkl. The tracks too are wonderfully recreated, in enough detail that minor bumps and humps can be felt, and the draw distance at circuits such as A1 Ring and Bathurst is breathtaking. Compared to PGR2 the street circuits are not as pretty, but this is a game primarily designed as a racetrack game. And while the streets of Chicago aren't as impressive here as in PGR2 they are certainly more naturally and attractively lit. The draw distances and reflections maps are excellent too - but don't expect to see other cars reflected in the bodywork as the reflection map is pre-rendered. To see 21 cars, wonderfully lit, barrelling around a detailed race circuit at 60 frames per second is a wonder to behold. Add in some great weather effects, damage modelling and one of the best cockpit views available - you have one of the most complete graphical experiences available to race fans.

The sound is equally well handled. Engine noises are realistic and powerful and help convey a sense of power. Engine tones are significantly different from model to model, the 68 Ford Mustang being one of my favourites. The sound of the AI cars is a little too quiet though and needs upping a bit. But otherwise is very good. Codemasters always seems to excel and getting engine noises right. Voice acting in the cutscenes is good too, especially the Scottish manager, kudos to the developers for writing a script with some realistic dialogue this time around.

Right that's it then. Finished. It only remains for me to say that if you own an Xbox (or a PC, though this review is Xbox based for the moment at least) and are a racing game fan then you have to buy TOCA Race Driving 2. It's not too tough that it will scare off PGR2 fans, yet not so simplistic that the Grand Prix Legends crowd will run a mile from it. The free race mode and Xbox Live options mean this is something that you will still be playing by the time Race Driver 3 comes along. Codemasters really should be praised for developing a game for the strongest console system, because in not being limited to the PlayStation 2, the company has produced one of the best racing games of recent years. If Project Gotham Racing 2 was driving school, then TOCA Race Driver 2 is where the big boys/girls graduate and turn professional.