Riffer87
27/Feb/06, 05:15 PM
Ive had TOCA 3 since its release on Friday. Frankly I am AMAZED at how little public knowledge this game gets. Ill start with the menus. They are well designed and easy to use. Upon entering the game, you are started in a DTM car mid race and after completing a little less than a lap, the cut scenes that make TOCA so famous begins.
That is where I left off on the 'career mode'. Instead, I jumped into the individual championships. Upon deciding which championship series you want to drive, you are started with the 'entry' level cars. For open wheel cars, you start driving the Euro Carts (go carts). These are alot of fun and pretty easy to drive. After finishing in the required standing (it will tell you you must place 3rd or better in the championship to move on) you move to the next level up. I have completed both the Oval series and the Open wheeled series. Of the two, I LOVED the Open wheel series. I am a huge F1 fan and so this series was alot of fun for me. Although, you wouldnt think that the entry level cars would be much fun, I had a blast with the Formula BMW series. These cars are all the same and the racing action is always close. They spin very easily too so a light hand on the throttle is a must.
As far as the damage engine goes, it is a big step up from last year. It does get frustrating sometimes (especially in the F1 series) b/c you really have to watch how hard the cars infront are braking. Hitting a car infront of you at anything over 20 mph will end your race in a cloud of carbon fiber and tire.
The sound engine isnt bad either. Each car series has a pretty distinct sound to it. The Formula Palmer Audi's for example have a high pitched whine\whistle to them b/c of the turbo engine they run on. Formula 1 has that very recognizable scream that although at first seems to high pitched, you really get used to it and after a while, it sounds pretty real (Ive been to the USGP so I know what one sounds like). Its sort of a "thrill" to hear the cars start up on the grid seconds before the lights go out too. Its a very real sounding game. 8\10
Graphics have been stepped up since last year. The cars now reflect in the sun with a very real look to them. The areas surrounding the tracks are a little bland and the crouds are pretty much 2D and dont look that great, its not really about that is it. You dont notice it either when youre going 240 around an oval track. 8\10
The extras are sort of what make the game great. There is a replay mode that allows you to save to the xbox hard drive for later viewing. But what makes the game stand out for me are the options that allow you to change any part of your car. Its not quite Forza but its pretty damn good. I dont know much about telemetry but it does have it and you can change tire pressure, camber, roll bar, ride height ect....One thing that I love about the game is the flag system. Yellows fly when there is a wreck, blue flags (overtaking a car) black flags, and so on are all well done. 9\10
Multiplayer is the area Ive spent the least amount of time in. But Im very impressed. It IS important though to find a good host or know your own limitations. The hosting options are endless aswell. Up to 12 players in a room with AI if you want. Various options include the amount of damage (none, sim, and pro sim. Pro sim is real life-Touch a wall and your out) collisions (none, forward only-prevents people from going backward, and full collision), race length from 1 lap to several hundred laps and so on. The flag system is also very useful in the game. It has basically eliminated cheating b/c it prevents players from cutting corners (if you want to prevent it) by giving them a warning flag (or flags...up to 10 warning flags before you are DQ'ed ) The MP is fun. Give it a try and find a good room
That is my amatuer review of the game. Feel free to ask questions. Ill answer what I can
Overall review (9\10)
That is where I left off on the 'career mode'. Instead, I jumped into the individual championships. Upon deciding which championship series you want to drive, you are started with the 'entry' level cars. For open wheel cars, you start driving the Euro Carts (go carts). These are alot of fun and pretty easy to drive. After finishing in the required standing (it will tell you you must place 3rd or better in the championship to move on) you move to the next level up. I have completed both the Oval series and the Open wheeled series. Of the two, I LOVED the Open wheel series. I am a huge F1 fan and so this series was alot of fun for me. Although, you wouldnt think that the entry level cars would be much fun, I had a blast with the Formula BMW series. These cars are all the same and the racing action is always close. They spin very easily too so a light hand on the throttle is a must.
As far as the damage engine goes, it is a big step up from last year. It does get frustrating sometimes (especially in the F1 series) b/c you really have to watch how hard the cars infront are braking. Hitting a car infront of you at anything over 20 mph will end your race in a cloud of carbon fiber and tire.
The sound engine isnt bad either. Each car series has a pretty distinct sound to it. The Formula Palmer Audi's for example have a high pitched whine\whistle to them b/c of the turbo engine they run on. Formula 1 has that very recognizable scream that although at first seems to high pitched, you really get used to it and after a while, it sounds pretty real (Ive been to the USGP so I know what one sounds like). Its sort of a "thrill" to hear the cars start up on the grid seconds before the lights go out too. Its a very real sounding game. 8\10
Graphics have been stepped up since last year. The cars now reflect in the sun with a very real look to them. The areas surrounding the tracks are a little bland and the crouds are pretty much 2D and dont look that great, its not really about that is it. You dont notice it either when youre going 240 around an oval track. 8\10
The extras are sort of what make the game great. There is a replay mode that allows you to save to the xbox hard drive for later viewing. But what makes the game stand out for me are the options that allow you to change any part of your car. Its not quite Forza but its pretty damn good. I dont know much about telemetry but it does have it and you can change tire pressure, camber, roll bar, ride height ect....One thing that I love about the game is the flag system. Yellows fly when there is a wreck, blue flags (overtaking a car) black flags, and so on are all well done. 9\10
Multiplayer is the area Ive spent the least amount of time in. But Im very impressed. It IS important though to find a good host or know your own limitations. The hosting options are endless aswell. Up to 12 players in a room with AI if you want. Various options include the amount of damage (none, sim, and pro sim. Pro sim is real life-Touch a wall and your out) collisions (none, forward only-prevents people from going backward, and full collision), race length from 1 lap to several hundred laps and so on. The flag system is also very useful in the game. It has basically eliminated cheating b/c it prevents players from cutting corners (if you want to prevent it) by giving them a warning flag (or flags...up to 10 warning flags before you are DQ'ed ) The MP is fun. Give it a try and find a good room
That is my amatuer review of the game. Feel free to ask questions. Ill answer what I can
Overall review (9\10)