17 replies to this topic

[Valentinik]

Hi All,

Which has the better racing simulation games, PS2 or Computer?

I remembered few years ago, computer is the better choice for racing simulation. But not sure if PS2 games had caught up. PS2 is traditionally more famous for arcade mode racing games, rather than real hardcore racing simulation.

But it is cheaper to buy a PS2 than a computer.

Pls shed some lights -

Formula 1 - which is the best games producer

WRC - which is the best company

MotoGP - which is the best company

Touring Car racing - which is the best company

[AyePirate]

Atlas has an excellent racing sim forum

http://forums.autosp...id=7&daysprune=


happy hunting

[well]

I am a hardcore sim racer, and I simply don't have a PS, so I can only have my say on PC based sims.

For most authentic F1 racing experience on PC, sadly the choices are limited, since Sony has been in charge of the business, leaving only an almost four years old sim for us---EA's F1 Challenge 99-02 . It was developed by ISI, also the author of the next generation sim rFactor. rFactor has a brilliant F3 mod, which almost single handedly saved it from being disputed. And it seems there are also some F1 mods available for rFactor. LFS should also be noticed, now it has got the BMW F1.06 car which is very well modeled for the game. LFS has a fairly good physics engine and a variaty of cars to choose from, you should definitely give it a try. netKar pro is another candidate for the best sim, I've never been able to try it but reported it has many flaws upon first release, but at the same time has a lot of merits as an original hardcore sim. You may also want to try Grand Prix 4 , although I personally think it's too arcade a game, many others claim it as the best F1 sim, I can't figure out how it could outweigh F1C but there you go...

[sejanus]

F1 05 for the PS2 is brilliant.

I play it on a 42" plasma, with a full geeky seat/steering wheel setup (wife hates it), and you play it online against 10 people.

Playing online you are into it so much I literally break into a sweat during a long race, you get really pumped up racing against others who are at a similar skill level.

[PassWind]

Originally posted by Valentinik
Hi All,

Which has the better racing simulation games, PS2 or Computer?

I remembered few years ago, computer is the better choice for racing simulation. But not sure if PS2 games had caught up. PS2 is traditionally more famous for arcade mode racing games, rather than real hardcore racing simulation.

But it is cheaper to buy a PS2 than a computer.

Pls shed some lights -

Formula 1 - which is the best games producer

WRC - which is the best company

MotoGP - which is the best company

Touring Car racing - which is the best company

While this question is one many have brought up over the years I think some relevance should also be sought.

When we say simulation it is a like activity designed to simulate the real thing. The level of simulation is goverened by many things and the fidelity of the software is just one of them.

Software is only a part answer, hardware is the critical link, it should'nt really matter what platform you play it on(but it does). In general there is much more scope for customisation in a PC based racing game. Also there is a far wider range of high fidelity hardware to use with racing games and you could easily spend 3-4 times the price of the PC to get some very good hardware.

So for accessing the bottom end of sim racing then a PC and simple wheel, to actually do some real hardcore sim racing then its alot more money invloved. As for the software, RFactor, GTR, GTL and of the NetKar Pro bits I have played with, Netkar Pro will be the nearest in sim, not talking alot about the physics of the game but how much detail is simulated. You have to start the car, there is a massive amount of adjustement in the cars etc.

RFactor is pretty good in that regards and to a certain extent the GT series.

F1C 99-02 needs heavy modification to make it good but I still feel it has the best modern F1 game for gameplay, it really isn't much of an F1 simulator.

Unfortuantely Sony has rights to the F1 official games and this hurts the PC community.

[MaxScelerate]

I "play" Grand Prix Legends, I race against Jim Clark and Surtees, or against people from all countries over the net. I get to race on over 300, real life, circuits (and ex-circuits).

[GhostR]

Originally posted by sejanus
F1 05 for the PS2 is brilliant.

I would class that as an arcade game, not a sim. A beautiful arcade game and a good racing game, but nevertheless it does not come close to being a good sim.

[well]

Originally posted by MaxScelerate
I "play" Grand Prix Legends, I race against Jim Clark and Surtees, or against people from all countries over the net. I get to race on over 300, real life, circuits (and ex-circuits).

How could I forget to mention GPL again?!

[Valentinik]

Originally posted by AyePirate
Atlas has an excellent racing sim forum

http://forums.autosp...id=7&daysprune=


happy hunting

sorry for my ignorance man, did not realise there is racing sim forum. Great!!!

[Valentinik]

Originally posted by PassWind



While this question is one many have brought up over the years I think some relevance should also be sought.

When we say simulation it is a like activity designed to simulate the real thing. The level of simulation is goverened by many things and the fidelity of the software is just one of them.

Software is only a part answer, hardware is the critical link, it should'nt really matter what platform you play it on(but it does). In general there is much more scope for customisation in a PC based racing game. Also there is a far wider range of high fidelity hardware to use with racing games and you could easily spend 3-4 times the price of the PC to get some very good hardware.

So for accessing the bottom end of sim racing then a PC and simple wheel, to actually do some real hardcore sim racing then its alot more money invloved. As for the software, RFactor, GTR, GTL and of the NetKar Pro bits I have played with, Netkar Pro will be the nearest in sim, not talking alot about the physics of the game but how much detail is simulated. You have to start the car, there is a massive amount of adjustement in the cars etc.

RFactor is pretty good in that regards and to a certain extent the GT series.

F1C 99-02 needs heavy modification to make it good but I still feel it has the best modern F1 game for gameplay, it really isn't much of an F1 simulator.

Unfortuantely Sony has rights to the F1 official games and this hurts the PC community.

Thats very useful input in terms of the hardware to use.
To be honest, I am pretty much limited by budget, so I will just use the standard PS2 joysticks, but not to worry too much, I had always been good with keyboards and joysticks as well.
I used to play games 5 years ago when I was not busy at work.

Now I want back those great times, and I believe I had lost none of my skills to control joystick or keyboard

Netkar Pro is a saloon car racing?

[Valentinik]

Originally posted by GhostR

I would class that as an arcade game, not a sim. A beautiful arcade game and a good racing game, but nevertheless it does not come close to being a good sim.

Does F105 has very realistic strategy for pitstops, and the car becomes easier to handle and goes faster at the end of the stint?

How about wet driving?

[Valentinik]

Hi Guys,

how about MotoGP game for PS2?

or World Rally Championship?
I understand Colin Edwards Rally 2 or 3 is the best rally game years ago, how about now? which is best rally game?

[sejanus]

I dunno man I think it's pretty good ;

- very nice driving model with the steering wheel - you have real resistance turning the wheel and it feels "right". basically the driving physics seem v.good to me (though i havent driven an f1 car mind you!)

- adjustable traction control, adjustable diff, braking balance all in realtime

- pit stops & fuel loads

- excellent tracks, the models are great

- wet weather

The main weakness of the game is the relatively weak AI cars, this is easily fixed by playing online where there are some crazy fast guys. I'm in the top 5% online (there is a ranking system and fastest laps database) but the guys right up the front are just in a different class.

Originally posted by GhostR

I would class that as an arcade game, not a sim. A beautiful arcade game and a good racing game, but nevertheless it does not come close to being a good sim.

[Linus27]

For proper sims then the only way to go is a PC. The best sims are,

GT Legends
GTR (soon to be replaced by GTR2)
Nascar 2003
Grand Prix Legends
Richard Burns Rally
LFS (Maybe a bit to arcade in place but still great)

These are also good but I do not like so much. They may improve in time though.

RFactor but only for the Porsche Carrera mod. The rest of the game I think is very weak and feels like TOCA race driver. Graphics very nice but physics are to easy and unresponsive compared to GTR/GT Legends.

Netkar pro seems good but still too early in development.

There are no decent sims for modern F1 on the PC.

The PS2 does however have some great racing titles which are not sims but are worth checking out. If you are not into sims in a heavy way then for great racing fun that is more advanced than say Sega Rally or Need For speed then check out the following.

Gran Turismo 4
World Rally Championship 4
TOCA 3

What is a must though is either the Logitech Driving Force Pro which works on PS2 and PC perfectly or wait for the new Logitech G25 wheel which comes with clutch pedal and H box shifter.

Hope that helps but any other questions then just ask. I have been sim racing for about 20 years so have tried most games, consoles, wheels, setups etc. I race regually in a couple of league as seen in my signature. Feel free to ask any questions.

[MaxScelerate]

Originally posted by Linus27
...I have been sim racing for about 20 years so have tried most games, consoles, wheels, setups etc.

20 years?!? Like, wow.. or.. **** me, 20 years!! Yeah, I probably was playing Accolade's Test Drive or some such around that time. ****, time goes fast.

[kamix]

Linus how come you don't mention F1 Challenge 99-02 with RH2005 mod? I love it.

[Linus27]

Kamix

I just think the physics engine is weak and the track mapping is unrealistic. Its good but I still don't feel we have a proper f1 sim yet.

Check this out for GTR2. The incar shots and the guy driving is amazing.

http://www.simhq.com..../GTR2/GTR2.wmv

[kamix]

A late edit, but I should point out GTR is based off the F1C engine, the tracks that are used in F1 are based on the ones that came with F1C (or RH mods). For example the Spa track has only had texture updates no noticable model changes.

I have been playing GTR a lot lately and there is a slight upgrade in physics engine in regard to traction - everything else feels very much the same as F1C with RH05. I am disappointed there is no F1 mod for it yet