Race Game: PGR 2 First Impressions

[GR8 WHITE]

Ok, so after 2 years of eyeballing this game on shelves, I broke down and finally picked it up for $18.99 at Best Buy.

Rated #1 Race Car Sim for PC with a 9.1 Rating in 2006.

Installed on an older 1.9 Ghz with NVidia GForce 3 Titanium 500, it is "acceptable" to play on, but let me tell you, the game REALLY needs up to date Video Cards and systems to really unlock its killer potential.

The game is as realistic as it can get. What I noticed first as I was steering with the left and right arrows (yes, I had no steering wheel, shame on me) was the Ferrari's I was behind were just like the onces I raced in Germany. And, what amazed me was, the exhaust was so detailed that, as the AI shifted the car, flames actually shot out the exhaust pipes! I couldn't believe it! There are so many variables to adjust on the cars.

Toe, Camber, brakes, ride height front or rear or both, wing, tire pressures, tire types etc etc etc. I cant think of them all which most I have no clue what they do.

But one thing is certain, with the crappy system I have the game is killer and a BLAST to play. I highly suggest the training because it 1) teaches you how to beat the friggen wicked smart AI, and 2) unlocks other tracks as you progress.

So far, I haven't found NurburgRing, but it does have Hockenheim, which I raced on and it is exactly replicated. I knew exactly where the turns were, where I can say "I went over the grass at this curve" and "This is where that one guy wiped out in the sand" or "I almost rear ended a truck in this turn!" or "I lost control of my car in this turn and hit my windshield wipers to turn on" and have the video to prove it!.... The game is very very detailed. Racing at night time in the game is too much for my system so I cant play it, but it is very hard and you can turn on and off your headlights.

Weather effects are realistic, rain, clouds, sun glare in your eyes etc.

You can adjust the daytime setting to advance 2x, 3x, 4x faster so you can play an entire 24 hour race in 24 minutes and still see day to night transitions as you race.

Vehicle damages when racing are accurate. I hit a corner and it crushed in my front quarter panel which ruined my tire, which then started to spew sparks all over the road cause I was running on a rim.

If you break down, you can still sit back and watch the race as if you were watching on TV with total control of every camera imaginable. In car cameras for every and any car racing on the track, on track cameras, nose cameras, rear cameras, low wheel cameras, quarter panel cameras etc. You just select any camera variant you wish to view.

if anyone loves racing and wishes to smash the gas pedal and save money on gas and possibility of a ticket, I am telling you, this game is awesome! I cant wait to get an updated system that can really handle it.

Oh, and since I got it, I found the Momo Force feedback on sale for $79.00 and racing is so much better now! I am even tempted to try and play the game with my helmet on!

I do have my old surround sound speakers and I am swarmed with total race sounds. So, if interested, try and snatch up a copy o fthis game while you can find it!

Have fun!!! ps...Racing with the control arrows SUCKED!!! And when I am losing the race, i just ram the other cars off the track! Hahahahaha

I once ran over the grass to get in first place and I got a ONE TIME WARNING for leaving the track! Hahahahaha..... This game makes you do pit stops and everything! So, I am impressed. Hey at least I don't have to pay for this fun and the repairs associated with all my crashes!

[ZO6 AL-X]

Very cool. Thanks for the review.