SimHQ.com - Motorsports Zone - Review: Grand Prix Legends 2004

GPL has the second-to-none Papyrus online code so you can race against other drivers once you've grown tired of the AI which is by no means bad. Actually, it's rather good.

Traditionally, online racers connected through VROC. Since the release of the 1965 mod, a new online tool has been in use called iGor. The great advantage with iGor is that it checks and prevents cheating, so if you were entertaining hopes of sneaking in in a race with 65 cars using a 67 car, you can forget that. Thankfully it can't be done. iGor can be downloaded as a part of the 1965 mod.

Where to Get Updated!

From the tracks database here you should get the "all-in-one-patch". This ensures you have the latest patched exe file and the patches are installed in the correct order.

You can also download add-on tracks. These days they come with an easy to use track-installer and there are more than 400 tracks to choose from!

Another brilliant offering is that you can download a small file (GEM+autoupdater) that will let you connect to the tracks database, and then it will ensure that you have the correct entries in your .ini files!

Carsets

Then go to GPLEA to get the latest, greatest ´67 cars. They have been hugely improved in the last year or so. Top, top quality work!

While you're there, download the GPLEA tracks. They're all stunning, especially Clermont-Ferrand.

Get GEM+2 and the 65 mod here with accurate graphics and new physics. Highly recommended. iGor; in the same package is the new online tool that will get you going with other racers around the world.

There is a 1968 carset (with the original GPL physics) here. At the bottom of the page there is a single download with all the cars and if I remember correctly, the files are packed in such a way that you will get an additional season and not overwrite any of your existing stuff. To change between seasons you use the Carset Changer utility which is included.

There are good carsets (with the original GPL physics) for 1966, and 1969, but the installation procedures are not terribly friendly for newbies.

Tracks

Here are my favorites:

The huge and highly updated Monaco.

The brilliant Monza update here.

Isle of Man — absolute high-speed terror on the isle.

Clermont-Ferrand from GPLEA.

Other essential downloads

GPL Today: Klas’ extremely fine gfx updates for some of the Papyrus tracks is here.

The legendary GPL Replay Analyzer is here. This simply amazing tool to analyze your laps to bits in terms of where to change gears, G-loads, entry, exit and top speeds, rpm's, comparing your own lap with laps driven by other GPL drivers, etc. etc.

The links page here is a sure way to check out all possibilities with GPL!

Reviewer's System Specs

Intel Pentium 4 2.53 GHz CPU
512MB RAM
128MB Geforce 4 Ti 4200 / NVIDIA drivers v61.77
AC97 onboard sound
DirectX Version 9.0c
Windows XP Home with SP1
Logitech Driving Force Pro

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