TOCA Race Driver 2 [PSP]

[John Beaulieu]

how about sorting us out with a review copy so we can cover it

[S0L]

LOL - Cheeky.

I'll have a word with Codies tomorrow and see what I can sort out.

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[englishbob]

Because.... We can't use the hardware to playback MP3's, we don't have the libraries to do it (no doubt for MPEG licensing issues), so we'd have to decode them on the CPU. Which is busy running the game, physics, AI etc. We worked it out, we'd need 60% CPU time to do this - more if the bitrate was too high. Which would equate to a framerate of about - ohhhh - 3 fps.

Instead, we did find a way of using the PSP's media processor to play back a different format - which doesn't require CPU time (well except to pass it to the media processor) and has no impact on gameplay.

Cause, the downside is you have to convert the music first. But Codies provide a tool that converts and writes straight to the PSP if it is connected to the PC via USB. So insert CD, connect PSP, click button. Job done. Easy (and I know, I wrote the design for the tool).

Now - whats better - not being able to play music at all in-game, or to run a tool on PC and click a button, then have all the music you can fit on the stick?

We do these things for a reason you know...

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S0L
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I guess what I mean is that why not convert from MP3 down to whatever format you require. I understand its for a reason (and thanks for the post), but why not from MP3 OR CD?

I've already got hundreds of MP3 converted from my CD's, so why go back to CDs (or in the TOOL, have an option for converting MP3 and CD).

Just like to say I like the game BTW, just been playing. Its a hell of an achievement (I did previously own the Xbox version). It did'nt like the game structure on the home version, but I think it suits the handheld much better.

[Dazzla]

Read the codies page it can convert from MP3 :P Sol mentions it a couple of posts as well.

[Strider]

Don't you have a review copy?

Nah, I'm on holiday. You'll be pleased to know that I've bought Virtua Tennis though, how much of my ?35 will you get mate

[markgreyam]

Agreed. There are, as expected, some framerate issues and also the car bumper reflections are pretty much gone (I play the PC version on a high spec PC at the moment) but it is a solid effort.

Loading and autosave is a pain in the arse though.

I'm not concerned about graphical niceties, but tell me that the framerate issues are minimal, and I'l go pick up a copy payday next week. I want to make sure it's as fast as the console version before I commit to it. Are you racing in car or from behind? I prefer in car and if that helps the framerate then I hopefully wont have any issues. I was going to get it on launch day but wanted some first impressions because it was a PAL PSP launch title so there was nothing to go on.

[MonkeyWrench]

Why not get it from GAME and then take it back if you don't like it?

Anyway, I was having a quick race between sessions on Virtua Tennis and noticed that in the options menu you can flip the controls, so that people who like the d-pad to be on the right can turn their PSPs upside. First game I've played on the PSP that allows that.

[linkster]

I'm not concerned about graphical niceties, but tell me that the framerate issues are minimal, and I'l go pick up a copy payday next week. I want to make sure it's as fast as the console version before I commit to it. Are you racing in car or from behind? I prefer in car and if that helps the framerate then I hopefully wont have any issues. I was going to get it on launch day but wanted some first impressions because it was a PAL PSP launch title so there was nothing to go on.

Like SOL I have to declare an interest in this, but you have the standard four camera views (in car, behind, bumper, bonnet) so can take your pick. No review I have seen has considered the framerate to be anything other than top notch.

[S0L]

The framerate is pretty steady - it will drop when you have 10 car pile ups simply due to the amount of physics running, most of the time you are unlikely to notice it.

As has been suggested, get it on Games 14 day trial if you are unsure. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with it

I forgot about the flip screen mode - it was one of those things we thought would be neat, but weren't sure how many people would use! You can redefine two control sets, one for normal, one for flipscreen. I like it flipped as you can use the nub in a more sensible position for Analog Acceleration and Braking, much more fine control for maintaining grip. But it's horses for courses

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[MonkeyWrench]

So is there anything in there that isn't present in the full blown versions? Not talking about content wise, more Sumo easter eggs.

[S0L]

Hmm. Create a new Profile with the name of 'Fruity' (make sure the case is right). Then go drive on some grass.

That's about it though, we were pretty busy getting it on the PSP with the extra's (the Custom Soundtrack was late in the day for example) and didn't manage to sneak any real hidden stuff in.

Sorry Linkster BTW

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[markgreyam]

Why not get it from GAME and then take it back if you don't like it?

Australia here, so EB is my only option for returns, and they are $10 more than the local dept. store, and on top of that a mag in the newsagent gives $10 off 6 different games, at least two of which I want, so I can get it for $60 all told as opposed to $80 (!) at EB, and from what it sounds like I won't need to pay an extra $20 to have a chance to return it.

[cavalcade]

Another day, another PSP purchase. Toca 2. Where to begin, as yet I've not seen a detailed review of this either...

The long and short of it, it's a slightly rough round the edges looking port of the PS2 version of TOCA 2. If that's all you need to know to buy it, then go for it.

Firstly - the good. The general presentation is top notch. Menus, car select, all the options, just the general feel of it exudes quality. You feel like, even if it's a downsized PS2 game, it's genuinely a quality bit of software, stacked with content, and you've got your money's worth. All modes, as far as I can remember from the home console versions are there - including the wide variety of car classes and racing types. Of course, it also features the superbly voice acted cut scenes from the original - all present and correct, but suffering from the same blurring you get in most PSP video/games when it tries to shift dark colours/blacks about. Overall, you can't complain. The custom soundtrack feature is nice, the wireless multiplay (though untested) would be good I imagine (the original's multiplayer on a single console was decent enough). Load times, while longer than really advisable on a portable game are still well within the realms of not really being worth a mention.

The bad - graphically, it's a strange mixture of good and bad. Squint, and it looks pretty good, but closer examination shows the lovely graphics of the home consoles (especially the Xbox) have taken a battering. I have three major beefs - the wheels on the cars and any vegetation (especially trees) both look awful. The badly textured and animated wheels vaguely remind me of a Saturn game, and the trees are a bit of a mess. How obtrusive both these things are depends on the course, but quite often you'll be feeling quite happy about things, until a tree hoves into view and then your brain goes "this is on a PSP, this is on a PSP...". It's obviously very churlish to complain, when a lot of the graphics are very nice. But it does stray dangerously in Tapwave Zodiac Stuntcar Extreme territory at times.

My other big beef is there is a strange... erm... pixellated feel to the graphics, but it's almost as if you're looking at the graphics through a schoolgirl's sock. It's only visible close up, and if you play the game from about 2 feet away it's not really noticable. But the closer you get, the more irritating it is.

Overall - it sounds like I'm moaning, but I've been very pleased with it so far. It sort of trancends it's limitations, but I would certainly recommend not bothering if you've spent a lot of time with the Xbox/PS2 versions, as you'll be disapointed and spend most of your time squinting. If you're like me, have dabbled in both, and are looking for a racer to tie you over till Burnout Legends, I think it's pretty good.

[MonkeyWrench]

I think the term you are looking for regarding the graphics is a 'stippled' effect. Fired Up also used this effect on the smoke. It must be less CPU intensive than using transparency effects. Maybe SOL could shed some light on this?

[tom-nook]

there is a strange... erm... pixellated feel to the graphics, but it's almost as if you're looking at the graphics through a schoolgirl's sock.

Interesting analogy. Are you talking from experience???

Edit: errrm on second thoughts probably best not to even go there