SimHQ.com - Motorsports Zone

Preview: GTR

Multiplayer was not included in the preview version SimHQ had access to so we can't comment about that apart from mentioning that the developer will set up dedicated servers for multiplayer use and they will organize multiplayer events.

The AI seems pretty intelligent and should provide good racing if you're not in the mood for online racing or just want to practice new lines.

Graphically, GTR looks a lot more clean and polished than for example F1 Challenge which used a previous version of the ISI graphics engine. To my eyes the colors look a bit to cold and blue-ish, especially the skies look wrong to me. Some of the cars look like more attention to textures and details could be needed, but otherwise: Good job SimBin!

This is probably a question of personal preference, but to me the menus look like they were designed by Depeche Mode in a substance-induced fit of anger. The black and chrome look is "eighties", but what is more important is that some menus would benefit from a more well-thought out approach.

Apparently, I have to choose at the start of each session whether I'd like Arcade, Semi-Pro or Simulation physics. This selection ought to be done elsewere, so the game would keep my preferred setting until I decide to change it instead of asking me every time I launch the game.

I really miss a replay button when I'm in a session. I like to drive a few laps, then watch a replay, rewind, fast forward and save a portion of it while I'm in the garage, then drive some more laps etc. This is not possible as the replay-system works in the same way that we know from F1 Challenge. There is the instant replay option ("r" button) that let's me view up to 180 seconds of the most recent driving, but in order to study my driving from several viewpoints, I have to quit the session I'm in completely and go to the main menu where the replay button is located.

It's places like this where the ISI engine that powers GTR announces it's presence.

And when you decide to end your track session, you're presented with an overlay screen asking if you want to restart session, go to garage or select another of the five or six options that are available to you. Options are great, but this is the only place where the mouse does not work! Arrow keys and enter key rule here, my friends!

Techno music in the menus. Apparently something for the fans who drive in one of the many arcade modes; Sunday driver, Veteran, Alien on wheels etc. It's also possible to have the music playing when you're driving. I could easily do without music though, at least if I wanted some, I'd play something to my own taste. The good news is that I gather that you can put your own mp3's into the game.