Driving games: Arcade or Simulation?

[Kongster]

Which type do you prefer, and why?

[merf]

as a time constrained gamer I haven't got hours to paint my car or test and tweak the settings for optimal configuration so its the more arcadey end of the spectrum for me every time

saying that i don't like an over simplistic handling model that will prove unsatisfying so like to get on the course quick but have a bit to learn once there.

i found forza 2 great at this at it felt deep but i didn't have to waste hours on the painting stuff or config to do ok.

also loved Flatout at the same time (way more than Dirt which just felt wrong to me) and currently PGR4 seems to have the handling model nice as well.

really it's the Gran Turismo's of the world I can't be arsed with and at the other end the Juiced and NFS series.

[Number45]

I prefer arcade racers, personally. Mainly because I'm very much an instant gratification gamer, and games like Burnout (Back when they were racing games) in particular let you have fun the second you start the game.

That's not to say I don't have time for simulation racers, but I'm also not a great one for tweaking my setup to the nth degree. GT5 seems to have it about right in that department, there are changes to be made to the handling, assists and suspension but you don't need to mess around with them too long before finding a setup that you're happy with.

[ChrisF]

Are we allowed to say in between? I prefer my racers along the lines of PGR4 - little from column A, little from column B.

I'm not really one for shaving 1/100th of a second off my lap times which is pretty much what I find sim games to be. I find them OK to begin with but when you get down to the bit where braking a millisecond too late spoils your whole race then thats when I call it quits.

Arcade games are alright. Don't mind them. But I prefer something with a little realism (not a lot mind).

[Number45]

I'm not really one for shaving 1/100th of a second off my lap times which is pretty much what I find sim games to be.

Regardless of the type of racer (Arcade/Sim/Rally/whatever...) time trials are hands down my favourite part of the game. Perfecting a race when it's just you against the car/track is sublime - there are no random variables that might mess it up for you, it's all down to you.

I spent some of my latest gaming nights duelling via TT times with one person on a forum on the GC version of Burnout 2.

[hudson]

I like a bit of both. I love a good old Ridge Racer game. I love a good old bit of Granery Turismo and Forza. I don't get into the tuning sections of sim type games as I'm not sure whether what I have tweaked is for the good or the bad.

On Forza and GT I will only play the sim modes (career).

I think I like a balance of arcade and sim in my driving games. Authentic to a degree and loads of fun to play.

[Dogg Thang]

Definitely arcade for me. I'm just in it for the fun.

[babs]

I'm the same, a bit of both. I think I could only invest time in one realistic one at a time though. I loved GT2 and spent hours and hours fine-tuning and tweaking on the test track, but I love stuff like RR6 and Outrun 2.

If I had to pick one, I'd say MSR was my favourite racer ever. None of the PGR series have captured the same feel for me.

[charlesr]

I've always spanned the market. From Vette and Carmageddon on the PC, through to Indycar and GP1,2,3 on the PC in the early days. And then on home games units, Revs on the C64 (sim) to Powerdrift (arcade). Top Gear Rally on the N64 (arcade) to Forza (simish) and Rallisport Challenge 2 (arcade). As long as the handling model does it for me, I'm happy. The only series I've never got on with is Gran Turismo because the cars just don't feel right (I've not tried GT5).

[bingowings]

arcade, always. it's all about having fun from the get-go and not spending 20 minutes tweaking ride heights.

as mentioned before, the original Burnout is way above anything else but only second to Sega Rally Championship as the pinnacle of arcade racing - a couple of button presses and you are driving and more importantly, having fun.

simulations bore me to tears, i stoppped enjoying the Gran Turismo series after No.2 - the only time i've played it since was GT4 Prologue and the Italian Rally stage with the Lancia Delta. nothing has changed apart from the cars becoming shinier. i've tried to enjoy PGR, and while i think they are technically good, as a racing game it leaves me cold. oh so very cold. i stick PGR2 on, choose the Mini and spend 30 minutes sight-seeing around Stockholm then it gets switched off.

[JP]

Depends what sort of mood I'm in really! I'm happy to play whatever genre they are in as long as they are good games.

[DeathAdder]

arcade racers for me. I find the developers of driving simulators forget to make their games any fun to play, and stuff having to do a series of tedious licence tests before you can get into the game (first Gran Turismo, I'm looking at you).

I quite enjoy rally games, however.

[eastyy]

arcade really love the burnout series

simulations i like but when i play gran turismo and it says the real driving simulation.....and the cars dont get damaged bounce of walls untouched that bugs me a bit

[Wools]

I absloutly adore both.

From Gran Turismo 4, F355, GTR2 and Richard Burns Rally to Project Gotham Racing 4, Scud Race, Daytonna USA and Ridge Racer, I love them all.

I adore all kinds of driving games and have no prefrence as to which I prefer or should like. If it has great feedback in handling, looks beautiful and sound brilliant, then I'm in!

[peeveen]

Arcade. I already have a real car that obeys the laws of physics.