This is my area of expertise! First and foremost, I love realistic racing games. Realistic physics, damage models, collision detection, the works. Here's my problem with racing games on the current gen.Valiance said:
TOCA series, AMAZING games. They started to get a little dumbed down as the series wore on, but still, great games to play. Then Codemasters had a minor stroke and came out with GRID, which by all accounts to any self-respecting realistic racing enthusiast, is virtually unplayable. Who thought those physics were realistic? Who programmed your collision and racing engines? How high were you when you made that game? Who decided to put "real world" locations in the game, then back tracked when you were called on your bullshit? Seriously, they "claimed" that the Long Beach GP circuit was in the game. I lived in Long Beach for three years, and the "Long Beach Circuit" that was in the game was in no way anything like the real life circuit. Basically, Codemasters decided that it was better to go for the almighty buck than continue to make a solid racing game.
Forza Motorsports Series: Generally good games, however, the second was a giant step backwards for them. The physics were good, not great. Braking always felt a bit too touchy, even on the lower end cars. Adjusting the cars setup seemed to have litte effect on the performance of the car. The damage was ok, a little predictable, but ok. I really have two major issues with Forza, specifically Forza 2. I'm sick and tired of racing games opting for the idea that racing fans would rather see the seems in the vinyl graphics than ten or twenty extra circuits. Seriously, there were next to no decent tracks in that entire game. I've been an F1 fan for over ten years, and I'd love to see some of those tracks in a game just ONCE! Second, when you alter a 1967 POS Chevy to the point at which it now has 900bhp and handles better than an Enzo, it's no longer a 1967 POS Chevy. Infact, it's a car that doesn't exist now, or ever. I'm all for mod'ing cars in games, but make it a bit more realistic. There were far too many "glitch" cars in that game. Coupled with the fact that you've raced just about every track after only an hour or two of playing the game makes it a less than stellar entry in the "realistic" genre.
Gran Tourismo series. Great series, great physics, however, the cars have WAY too much understeer. You could set the car up to have no grip in the rear and you'll still suffer from horrendus understeer. Also, the fact that there is ZERO damage kills it for me.
Project Gotham...do I even need to go there.
I apologize for the long winded post, but I'm very passionate about realistic racing sims and what's being "passed" as them in today's market.
For my money, you can't beat F1 2002 for the PC. I dare you to name a realistic racing sim that comes close to it in any area!
