| Dirt Track Racing 2 Facts : | ||
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Introducing DTR 2, the latest in a series of short-track racing sims from Ratbag Games Ltd. This is the 3rd title in the series that emulates the grassroots sport of Dirt Track Racing. Circle track racing on dirt is one of the most common forms of Motorsports throughout the world. Even if you have never been fortunate enough to visit Daytona or Indy, there is certainly a dirt racetrack within a couple hours drive from your home. One factor that has made this series such a broad success is that Dirt Track Racing is the purest form of the sport. There are no multi-million dollar sponsors involved--just local businesses sponsoring local racers that want to race for the love of the sport and the thrill of competition. Yet ask any Winston Cup driver where they got their start and I’m sure they will tell you: “On the dirt!”
Included in this title are 3 very distinct classes of cars that are sure to create hours of excitement and enjoyment for any wanna-be racecar driver. It’s your choice upon entering the game to select ‘Quick Race’, which then permits you to choose between the Pro Stock, Late Model or the Modified. For those of you that are more ‘Career’ oriented, you’ll have to earn your way to the big time by winning races and advancing to the upper classes. Personally I’m one of those people that just wants to jump in the fastest thing there is and stand on the gas pedal. One interesting note in this game is that both the Late Model and the Modified are equally fast and both are very fun to drive. But you also owe it to yourself to take the Pro Stock out for a spin. Even though the Pro Stock cars are sluggish and heavy, they offer some of the best racing in the game. These are not purpose built racing machines. They are simply old street cars that are adapted to handle the rigors of racing on dirt, and they are a blast to drive. It’s refreshing to have this many fun choices in a sim. Usually, the premier class in a sim is the only selection that gets much attention. The Late Model is pretty standard across the country and most people that are interested in racing are familiar with these types of cars. They are a full bodied racecar that possess the same basic shape as a street car, but that’s where the comparison ends. The particular Modified that is represented in DTR 2 is one that might not be familiar to many of you. This type of Modified is what I would consider a “North Eastern” or “DIRT” modified---sort of a cross between a USAC Champ car ( non-winged Sprint Car ) and a Late Model. This is a very light, short wheel-based car with an abundance of horsepower and plenty of traction. For those of us that were hoping for an IMCA style Modified, we didn’t get it. :-) But that’s not to say that you won’t enjoy the DTR 2 Modified--- you will. It’s just a particular style of racecar that’s not widely known. Whatever your taste in racing, DTR 2 is bound to have something for you to enjoy. DTR 2 offers 14 new and unique tracks to suit your short track racing needs. Whether you like those tight little bullring 1/4-mile tracks or a more wide open 1/2-mile track, DTR 2 has a nice assortment of tracks from which to choose. There are even a couple of Figure 8 tracks to bang around in. For those of you who also have the two previous versions of DTR, you will be able to enjoy the tracks from those games too. The default tracks in the game however have come a long way from the earlier version. Most of them seem to have more than one fast groove which is a welcome addition. The track surface has been dramatically improved and looks more like the dirt tracks to which I’m accustom. There’s a definite ‘cushion’ to most of the tracks that’s rough and tacky and the track even appears to have moisture around the inside---just as it would in real life. One track that I drove seemed to have a wall that can reach out and grab the car for no apparent reason. I thought that was a little unusual but I guess it’s just an obstacle that you need to know to avoid. I am really pleased to see that there are no longer those 3 foot tall berms on the inside of the track. Those berms are the one of the items that ruined the original DTR for me.I honestly wasn’t expecting DTR 2 to be that much of a change from what we had already seen from RatBag in the past, but I have to admit that I’m pleasantly surprised at the changes they have made. In the early days of our beta testing for DTR 1, there was a heated debate about having tear-off visors implemented into the game which was one feature that I thought was more gimmick than substance. I thought this was something I would surely turn off in the “Game Options” menu, never to be used again. Initially it was something I had to experience in the game for the sake of the review. Now that I’ve played DTR 2 a few times, I can’t bring myself to turn it off. It just adds a little extra bit of realism of driving a racecar on dirt. The physics seem to be much improved over the 2 previous versions. Although the earlier versions weren’t totally off, there were a few quirks in the handling of the cars that just were not correct. One being that the only fast groove at most of the tracks was right around the bottom. Even though it’s the shortest distance around the track, it is not always the fastest. The AI drivers are still hideously slow and they don’t seem able to enter the corner at the same speed as my car is able. But they will race with you if given the chance. All of the cars have a better feel to them than the earlier versions. If I get on the gas too hard coming off the corner, I can feel the car start to get loose. If I enter the corner too hard, the car wants to slide up the racetrack. One time I got in too deep and actually spun out. I don’t ever remember doing that before. :-) The setup interface still needs a bit of improvement to suit my tastes. There are just too many adjustments available that don’t change the way the car drives. I’m not suggesting that every user be required to have an engineering degree to be able to setup their racecar. I just want to have a setup menu where everything you change makes a difference in the car’s handling characteristics, whether it be good or bad. I’m also a bit disappointed in the appearance of the cars. Most of the race teams in my area put a lot of effort into making their cars appealing to the fans. Most are brightly colored, clean, well kept and have their own distinct color scheme and paint job. Once the 3rd party artists get their hands on the tga files and start painting cars, that won’t be an issue. I’d just like to see more effort put into the detail of the default cars. RatBag has made a concerted effort to make the tracks more appealing, now they need to do the same with the cars. Most of the sequel titles that we have seen have not measured up to the hype that generally preceded them. In this case however, Ratbag has kept a low profile with DTR, choosing to let the public decide for itself whether it is worthy or not. I am pleasantly surprised by DTR 2. The physics are better, the tracks look more realistic and all of the car classes are fun to drive. I cannot attest to the Multiplayer capabilities because I have not had a chance to race DTR 2 online. Although I would certainly like to have the option of racing with more than 10 people at a time online, if the gameplay is stable and warp free maybe that’s not so bad. Besides, I could never find nine other people that could keep their car on the track long enough to finish a race. If you do choose to race online, DTR 2 comes with the GameSpy applet that will guide you to the online servers in the usual convenient manner. If you haven’t tried any of the previous DTR titles, then you definitely need to give DTR 2 a whirl. If you are like me and have tried them all, I think you’ll be quite pleased with this latest version. I think DTR 2 is the best one yet. Is it perfect ? No! If it was perfect, then what would we do? Check here before you purchase to make sure you have the right stuff: Minimum System Requirements:
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Comments : |
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| Author: Dean | 09-10-2002 |
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Good review! Is this game going to me released in the UK? I have all other Ratbag "Dirt" sims |
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| Author: DeanP | 09-10-2002 |
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Nice review David, but could you please comment on the controller setup options?
I'm using an original LWFF plugged into a usb port and a set of Nigel's great pedals from Redline Race Controllers hooked into the gameport. Would you happen to know if multiple controllers are supported? BTW, I'm running all this under WinXP Pro. Thanks |
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| Author: Richard | 10-10-2002 |
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I was pleased with their previous release and I'm looking forward at buying DTR2. Thanks for the article, well written. |
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| Author: Clark | 10-10-2002 |
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Good article... just wanted to add that DTR2 on GameSpy is easy to do and works great. It is a ton of fun, and a very popular gathering place, with several races to c hoose from at any time of the day/night. |
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| Author: BB Toad | 17-10-2002 |
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Great review! Right on the mark.
I love this game! It's a blast to play. I love the Pro Stocks too. The Late Models and Modifieds can be a real handfull to a newbie (like me).
High's: graphics, game play, SP career mode and (reasonably so) physics
Low's: FF could be better, sounds are so-so
Unknown: MP (refer to newbie comment above :) ) |
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| Author: IronSteve | 18-10-2002 |
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great job, David
i´m out here in the desert (also known as Germany ;-) so i have to import this great game.
i checked the demo and played it for about 2 day ONLINE, it´s absolutely fantastic, pings were all |
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| Author: matxer | 18-10-2002 |
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Very good review !
The game will not be available in Europe before the beginning of 2003. I'll have to buy it from a US web site. The shipping cost will be higher than the game price (which is surprisingly low) but I WANT this game after having played the demo for many hours ! |
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| Author: Jeff | 18-11-2002 |
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Good review, the game is an improvement over the original version.
However, a statement in the review is not completly correct: "For those of you who also have the two previous versions of DTR, you will be able to enjoy the tracks from those games too."
The tracks are only useable in Multiplayer mode! I was looking forward to using all the great tracks I have installed in the previous version. |
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| Author: ozz | 07-12-2002 |
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i wod like 2 get a coupple of setups
if that not to much 2 ask
thanks a fan of dtr2 |
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| Author: Disciple | 09-12-2002 |
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I have'nt purchased the dtr2 yet.i'm actually waiting for christmas to come around,hoping someone will get it for me.if not,i'll just have to purchase it myself.the article that was written was well done,good job!!! |
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| Author: Gizmo | 14-12-2002 |
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A very good review.. I just recently purchased the game *thanks to a friend recommending it. And I would like to say, it serves me well. Runninga PIII 600, 756mbs ram, G/Force 264mbs, SoundBlaster Audigy Gamer, WinXP, and 100gigs. hehheh.
I noticed they sacrificed a slight on the graphics, So they are not on par with Nascar. I don't care. I actually prefer DTR2, as itgives me great frame rate when playing by myself or online. Whereas, Nascar 2002 chugged along when I tried to race a normal race.
Also I am looking for some set-ups for the cars. As when I race online it seems I get lapped easily. And yet I am going full throttle. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks from Canada... |
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| Author: Dave Miller | 01-04-2003 |
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I already have DTR, DTR Sprint Cars, Leadfoot, and now I've just bought DTR2. Ratbag continues to offer racing games that appeal to me because I was raised around these types of racing and still go to several dirt tracks and watch the real thing. It offers me a chance to do what the local guys do each Friday and Saturday night around my home. |
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| Author: Wojtek | 12-04-2003 |
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I own all DTR games so far (including pinball). Agree with review - DTR2 is great. One thing, mentioned earlier - sound. Cars could bark and roar more aggresively... But what do I know? I've never seen dirt race in my life :) |
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| Author: Hydro | 15-05-2003 |
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DTR2 sucks, its not worth the money they charged for it. I think dtr was way better than DTR2. Sure the graphics really sucked but the game itself was great. The just adjusted most everything too much. The set-up menu is all wrong, The car bodies look like crap, and the game just plain sucks. I do like the in-game gamespy browser, that is a nice update. They need to work on the car bodies and paint jobs, the set-ups, and update the graphics to better standards. |
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| Author: Bombsquadtech | 02-01-2004 |
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" How dare they" build a DTR game and leave the Sprintcars out of the picture!
Sprintcars are and were the bsis from what every racecar in the world came from,...what a shame! |
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| Author: Jim | 10-02-2004 |
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A good and through review. |
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