GTR Evolution

The game is good. but needs improvment in graphics , a future update will be needed.

The title of this review is not an understatement.

I got this game in October, 2008 & became completely immersed in it. I'm going 2 tell you up front that you cannot effectively play this game without a Racing wheel/pedal set. I played it with an XBox 360 controller 4 two months & as soon as I got a Thrustmaster Universal Challenge Racing Wheel/Pedal set, I learned the true meaning of car control. There are things you can do with a wheel that you just can't do with any other controller when it comes 2 racing games. Trust me. You must get a wheel 2 play this game. I'd suggest the Thrustmaster Universal Challenge wheel (which is what I am using at the time of this review), but the upshift & downshift levers are plastic & will brake like mine did (I had 2 remap up & down shifts 2 buttons on the wheel, which wasn't a problem)and this wheel measures 8 inches compared 2 the Logitech MoMo. Haven't had it long so I can't tell you how it holds up over the long haul, but since I practice daily & race weekly, I may find out sooner than I think. You want the MoMo 4 a variety of reasons, not the least of which are that it has steel paddle shifters & a sequential gear shift. But back 2 the point of this game.

The Graphics are amazing & the realism is astounding. You're going 2 want 2 download & install STEAM 2 get the full use of this game when you go racing online. Single player is fun but the REAL fun is when you join a racing league & race against other racers online. That is where this game shines & kills other Racing SIMS. This game's only competition comes from a product made by the same guys. That product is GTR2.

GTR Evolution is great fun. First comes the good stuff. Great simulation. The physics & the graphics are great. Lots of different tracks 2 race on in lots of different cars. No limitation of what car on what tracks. All the cars have different handling & speed characteristics. Lots of different damage settings. A custom season mode 2 create your own season as long or a short as you like with any of the tracks in the game using any style of car set you like VERY COOL. Adjustable race length settings. Lots of different views 2 drive from including an in-car view. The types of cars range from street cars open wheel formula BMW & Formula 3000 2 sports cars & popular GT cars. Now 4 the stuff I don't like. No career mode 2 start a low level of racing & work your way up the latter. Fewer options on setting the strength of the AI drivers. GTR1 & GTR2 had both speed & ability 2 set 4 AI drivers. GTR Evolution just has skill level. When you put the skill level down lower the AI drivers go slower & they spin out more too. In the older versions they could drive slower with higher skill levels making it harder 2 pass them. I have not used it online so I do not know how it works 4 that. If you like road racing simulators especially European type racing IT IS A MUST BUY!!! One other thing the game needs is a car telemetry section so you can set the car up better. With out it you have 2 guess a lot & it takes more time if you want 2 get the most out of the car you are using.

Since the game play details have already been extensively discussed in prior reviews here, let me discuss what I consider a major flaw in the implementation of GTR Evolution that not one reviewer has covered.

The game comes in four parts:

1) Steam
2) GTR Evolution Offline
3) GTR Evolution Online
4) Race 07 Dedicated Server

Installing ALL aspects of this game eats up approximately 9 GBs of hard drive space!

The Steam application is used 2 look 4 online games (not just GTR Evolution games) as well as chat with your buddies & everything else, except the kitchen sink (basically, it's another version of GameSpy bloatware). You MUST install Steam in order 2 play online.

GTR Offline only contains the game made 4 offline playing & there is no way 2 play online once you have loaded this version of the game. Instead, you have 2 exit the offline version & load in the online version of the game. This is a ridiculous implementation & the first time I have seen such a convoluted design in a game. The load times are horrendous! I have a 4 hard drive (7,200 RPM) RAID array & it still takes a fair amount of time 2 get the game up & running.

GTR Online is the EXACT SAME GAME as the Offline version, except it contains the Multiplayer menu option. It seems that the designers want you 2 think you have 2 install the Offline version of the game in order 2 play a Championship, but this simply isn't true. You can play the exact same Championship in the Online version of the game as you can with the Offline version (Championship mode has nothing 2 do with being online or offline). The silly thing is, if you start a Championship in the offline version, the online version can't see your saved progress (and vice-versa). So, you can actually have two entirely separate Championships going, one in the offline version of the game & the other in the online version of the game (remember, being "online" has absolutely nothing 2 do with the Championship mode).

Here's the really STUPID part of this whole mess... If you launch the Online version of GTR Evolution & have the audacity 2 actually host a game you are LOCKED INTO PLAYING THE SAME TRACK OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND... well you get the picture. There is absolutely no way 2 change tracks if you host this way. You need 2 stop your server from within the Online version of the game & start a new server with the next track you want 2 race -- your buddies will also have 2 rejoin your server. Pure genius programming. What you have 2 do is...

Install the Race 07 Dedicated Server application. Basically, what this does is launch a window on your desktop where you select the cars, tracks, rules 4 the races, etc. that you want 2 use on your dedicated server. This is a stand-alone application & has no relationship 2 actually playing the game yourself. Once you launch the Dedicated Server, which takes forever 2 get up & running on my well-equipped system, you then have 2 launch the actual GTR Evolution Online game & look 4 your dedicated server (either in the LAN or Internet areas of the interface -- LAN will give you a better ping 2 your own game, obviously). Here's where the fun really begins... The dedicated server will always start at the first track in the list of available tracks that you have set up & will go through them one by one in order. There is no way 2 tell the dedicated server what track 2 start with or 2 simply be able 2 pick a specific track you want 2 play at any given moment. Instead, what you have 2 do is either step through the tracks in order from within the Online version of the game or go back out 2 your desktop & step through the tracks one at a time until you get 2 the one you really want 2 play. Here's the real gotcha -- every time you change tracks from either within the online game or the dedicated interface on your desktop, the system loads each of the tracks into the game, even if you don't want 2 play that track -- too bad 4 you. So, here you & your buddies are sitting & loading maybe 5, 6, or 7 tracks in order 2 get 2 the one you actually want 2 play. Guess what? There's no way 2 go BACKWARDS in the list of tracks you have selected 2 be available! Let's say you have 10 tracks available & after playing the first two you want 2 skip 2 track 8 in the list. You have 2 skip, one track at a time, up 6 tracks 2 get 2 number 8 (all the time loading in each track as you go, which is a lengthy process). Now let's say you are on track 8 & want 2 play track 7, LOL, guess what again? Now you have 2 loop your way up 2 track 10 & start at track 1 until you get back 2 track 7. Yikes!

One more thing... once you select a specific car 2 race online there is no way 2 switch 2 a different car unless you exit the server & rejoin (selecting a different car at that time).

Finally, I absolutely love playing this game. It is a total blast 2 race your buddies online & the graphics are awesome, but the implementation of the game as a whole is one of the most retarded bits of programming I have ever seen & I've been playing computer games (console & PC) since the early 1980s. Buy this game & enjoy it, warts & all, but just be thankful it's a budget title & you didn't lay out $50 4 it.

The Simbin development team are synonymous with the racing simulator genre & their latest incarnation, GTR Evolution, is a visual & aural feast of fire breathing car racing mayhem on some of the world's more challenging tracks.

Disappointingly, 4 fans of GTR2, Evolution is more of an add-on of Race 07 rather than an upswept stand alone version of GTR2, nevertheless there is still plenty in this package 2 get excited about. All of the tracks from Race 07 are present, but so are some reverse options & most excitingly, the Nurburgring. Oh, & the game advertised on Amazon is the complete version, you don't need 2 purchase Race 07 as well.

Visually & aurally, the game is suitably impressive. The tracks are highly detailed & with a good force feedback wheel you'll feel every bump, off-camber curve, & that rather uncomfortable feeling of: how fast can I go around this corner I'm not really familiar with on the "ring"? It's a simply superb game 4 this, the elevation issues of not being able 2 see over the brim of a hill are exciting at over 200kph, then there's the car leaving the ground. You really, really feel like you're racing.

As mentioned the cars are highly detailed. From the open wheeled ground hugging F3000's, through 2 the mighty GT cars, which spit & skid their way around the tracks. For most of us it's the GT cars which bring the most delight & there are several wild rides 2 choose from. The acceleration of the Koeniggsegg is hard 2 believe & the Gumpert Apollo, is simply insane. I was grinning from ear 2 ear like an adolescent & then I tried the Aston Martin DB9R. Quite frankly the thing sounds like the devil on steroids, it is pure car pornography. It howls & screams like a mutant wounded werewolf, nothing else on the track sounds quite like it. Banging down through the gears one feels like the sequential box is going 2 explode & really it is this attention 2 detail which separates Simbin titles from race pretenders. It's as close as you can get 2 real racing without really racing.

GTR Evolution is not quite perfect however, there are some minor issues which do hamper your complete enjoyment. The first of these is the total absence of some of the GT cars from the previously mentioned GTR2. The new cars are all good & well, but conspicuously absent are the Ferrari's & Porche's. Perhaps licensing issues with these manufacturers were an issue, but it is this which makes the game feel more like an add-on package: it's certainly not GTR3 regrettably.

The game menu's are somewhat arcade like & definitely the set up of the cars is less involved than GTR2. This will limit the enthusiasm of die-hard race fans. Like Race 07, the pit lane experience is less enjoyable & the clunky interface 2 make adjustments in the pit lane, such as repairing damage etc, is a pain in the butt. This is due 2 the sprint race format bias & you need 2 create a pit profile 2 allow auto repair etc. I can see where the developers where coming from, but I find it a little annoying.

The other big complaint is the amount of CPU & graphical processing this game requires. I'm running an intel 3.2ghz dual core chipset & a fairly middle of the road nvidia 7600GT card with 256 mb of DDR3 RAM on WinXP with 2gigs of RAM. This beast of a game soaks that up like a sponge with no diffculty. The ability 2 readjust setting 2 accommodate the games demands 2 your system is fairly coarse compared 2 GTR 2. Thus, when the physics of the racing are compromised, the whole driving experience is also. You can make adjustments, but there are some issues which I need 2 email Simbin about.

Due the sheer size of the files the game takes a while 2 load up: on occasion I've found it simply hangs. Adjusting settings in the set up program - a pregame menu ala GTR2 - I have found similar issues. I suspect these are problems with the copyright protection software which can leave you wondering if anything's happening as you stare at the hard drive activity light. It's annoying.

Let's return 2 the positives however. Okay, the game is a beast, but what a beast of considerable enjoyment when you're flying around the Nurburgring, which is quite possibly my favorite track. It's intensely entertaining & in the month I've owned the game I'm still getting 2 grips with it. Like the previous franchises, there is hours & hours of entertainment here.

So, a lot of the traditional GT cars are missing, but there are plenty of new cars 2 choose from, the Seat Cupra 4 example is a lot of fun & did I mention the Aston Martin? Yikes. I've thoroughly enjoyed blasting around the tracks in all manner of cars & been deeply satisfied with the realism the game offers, especially wet racing with the wiper swishing about in front of me & the tail end stepping out. Ooops! Opposite lock, left foot on the brakes ease off the throttle briefly, then ease on the power again.

Although it's not GTR3, there is plenty of entertainment & 4 the price point it's well worth it. No doubt patches 4 the game will be forth coming 2 iron out the kinks, 4 now I have no trouble reccommending the purchase, just 4 the Nurburgring & the devil on steroids ride that the Aston Martin brings.

Experience the modern version of the monumental track of Nurburgring Nordschleife along with the Nurburgring GP layout. Infamous 4 its incredible difficulty, the track is revered & feared as the most treacherous track ever built?it's known as the Green Hell. GTR Evolution features 19 tracks & 40 different layouts, including the Nurburgring Nordschleife. GTR Evolution also features the top performing GT Pro, GT Club & GT Sport racing cars including the Aston Martin DBR9, Audi R8 GT Concept, Dodge Viper Comp, Coupe, Corvette C6.R, MNW M3 GTR, Gillet Vertigo & Marcos Marcorelly GTC.

The most beautiful GT's. Extreme versions of the already spectacular World Touring Cars. Exclusive roadcars from prestigious brands. You will find that & much more in GTR Evolution, including the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife, a 20.8km long racetrack in Germany.

Game Modes Arcade Extreme GTR Evolution will come with new game modes, of which the Arcade Extreme game mode is the most noticable. In this mode the emphasis is shifted from realism 2 action & fun. This is done by implementing more & bigger backfires, damage & debris & easier physics. Added Championship functionality Other news is the added material 2 Championship & Custom Championship. These new options allow 4 full integration of the GT cars now & offer the possibility of running a endurance championship as well as a touring car championship. Functionality is added 2 the Custom Championship as well, allowing 2 player 2 mix in the GT cars & WTCC Extreme cars with the other content.

49 Unique cars in 12 classes with over 500 variations. Click 2 enlarge.

Race with easier handling, more damage visuals & debris & huge backfires in Arcade Extreme mode. Click 2 enlarge.

Cars

GTR Evolution will contain 5 new classes containing a total of 30 new car models. First there are 3 classes of GT cars, each class with its own type of GT cars. In these classes you can find famous race cars such as the Corvette C6R, Aston Martin DBR9, BMW M3 GTR, Koenigsegg CCGT & Spyker C8 Spyder GT2R.

Next 2 3 GT classes there will be the WTCC Extreme cars. These are fictional designs of the vision of SimBin together with the WTCC Manufacturers on how the ultimate WTCC car could look.

To finish it off there will be the Production Car Class, featuring the road going versions of the Audi R8, Dodge Viper SRT/10, Koenigsegg CCX & Gumpert Apollo.

Key Features & Game Modes

• In total 49 Unique cars in 12 classes with over 500 variations
  GTR Evolution combines the elements of racing with touringcars, GT cars, formula cars & sportscars.
  
  
• 19 tracks, over 40 different layouts, including the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife
  From the streets of Macau 2 the straights of Monza or the Karussell on the Nürburgring Nordschleife.
  
  
• GT Championship Frenzy.
  26 brand new GT car models in 4 different classes, including a selection of exclusive production cars.
  
  
• WTCC Extreme Cars.
  Evolution concept cars developed together with the car manufacturers of the WTCC. Rear Wheel Drive, over 600hp in 1000kg cars with extended body-kits; these beasts will give GT cars a run 4 their money.
  
  

Enjoy Evolution concept cars developed together with the car manufacturers of the WTCC. Click 2 enlarge.

A racedriver's heaven. Click 2 enlarge.

19 tracks & over 40 different layouts, including the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife Click 2 enlarge.

Cars

GT Pro: Aston Martin DBR9, Audi R8 GT Concept, Corvette C5-R, Corvette C6.R, Dodge Viper GTS/R, Gumpert Apollo GT, Koenigsegg CCGT, Lister Storm, Saleen S7-R GT Sport: BMW M3 GTR, BMW Z4 GTR, Corvette Z06 GT2, Marcos Marcorelly GTS, Mosler MT900R, Seat Cupra GT, Seat Toledo GT, Spyker C8 Spyder GT2R, SunRed SR21 GT Club: Aston Martin DBRS9, Dodge Viper Comp. Coupe, Gillet Vertigo, Marcos Marcorelly GTC, Alfa-Romeo 156, Alfa-Romeo 156 GTA, BMW 320si e90, BMW 320i e46, Chevrolet Lacetti, Honda Accord Euro-R, Peugeot 407, Seat Le—n, Seat Toledo Cupra WTCC '87: Alfa-Romeo 75 turbo, BMW M3 e30 WTCC Extreme: Alfa-Romeo 156 Extreme, BMW 320si Extreme, Chevrolet Lacetti Extreme, Seat Leon Extreme Formula 3000: Lola B02/60 Formula BMW: Formula BMW Mini Cooper Challenge: Mini Cooper S Tracks

Nürburgring: Nürburgring Nordschleife, Nürburgring GP WTCC '06/'07: Anderstorp, Sweden; Brands-Hatch, United Kingdom; Brno, Czech Republic; Curitiba, Brazil; Istanbul, Turkey; Macau; Magny-Cours, France; Monza, Italy; Oschersleben, Germany; Pau, France; Porto, Portugal; Puebla, Mexico; Valencia, Spain; Zandvoort, The Netherlands Additional Tracks: Estoril, Portugal; Imola, Italy; Vara Raceway, Sweden

Features

In-Game File Sharing
It will be possible 2 share files, 2 up- & download setups while being in the game. The same will be possible 4 the ghost-files 4 time trial sessions. You can up- & download ghost files in-game, which can also include the setup that was used 2 make the ghost.

Online Leader-boards & Ranking
Online leader-boards & ranking will be available 4 all the new tracks & classes, both on the website & in-game.

Race-Line
In Time-Trial a feature is added called the Race-Line. This raceline is inspired by the race-line in GTR2, but features much more options. There are distinctive brake-markers 2 indicate braking points, & you can not load just one but even two race-lines 2 compare & follow. These race-lines including their ghost-files & setups can be up- or downloaded in-game as well.

Replay Studio
The Replay system is now equipped with the possibility 2 not only save the full replay after the race but also the instant replays that can be viewed during the race.

Nationality Indicator
The player-profile will now be equipped with a flag & a country indicator, which will follow the player throughout the game. This will also allow 4 country specific rankings & other country specific options.

GT Championship Frenzy
26 brand new GT car models in 4 different classes, including a selection of exclusive production cars.

WTCC Extreme Cars
Evolution concept cars developed together with the car manufacturers of the WTCC. Rear Wheel Drive, over 600hp in 1000kg cars with extended body-kits; these beasts will give GT cars a run 4 their money.

Online rankings & leaderboards
Upload your times online & attack the leaderboards. Do you have it in you 2 be ranked #1?

Full dynamic weather
Dynamic weather changes. Do you see those dark clouds? Be afraid, be very afraid!

Welcome 2 the Green Hell of the Nürburgring Nordschleife
A PC exclusive: experience the modern Nordschleife 4 the first time in a PC title, along with the Nürburgring GP track.

GT Championship Frenzy
26 brand new GT car models in 4 different classes, including a selection of exclusive production cars.

WTCC Extreme Cars
Evolution concept cars developed together with the car manufacturers of the WTCC. Rear Wheel Drive, over 600hp with extended body-kits; these beasts will give GT cars a run 4 their money.

New race-line including a dynamic trackmap
New features supply a driving tutorial 2 educate you 2 become a racing driver.

All-new Arcade Extreme Mode
A brand new game mode; perfect 4 the beginner or 4 the casual gamer. Race with easier handling, more damage visuals & debris & huge backfires.