Having signed up with my username and password and entered my reg key which was all pretty straight forward similar to GTL I couldn’t help but think that Simbin has to monitor this and drivers more closely as GTL multi has been left untouched and its full of wreckers, it’s a pity Simbin cant sort this out as it really angers people. Anyway I searched through the lobby for sessions to join, this layout is similar to the original GTR so don’t expect anything different from there, it works which is the main thing. After entering Imola with 14 others, the feeling of online racing against people all over the world came back to me…though my fps was quite low the challenge of racing others is always sweet. The actual code seems very similar to GTL , so with a good server you can probably expect fields up to 28 or so, let’s hope Simbin can license rFactors online code which has seen up to 50 on some server with no issues whatsoever. I wish the guys managed to do driver changes online, the endurance racing would be incredible.

PHYSICS

The physics engine is the new upgraded ISI pmotor, so far this is a good engine powering rFactor, though not as good as N2003 or LFS yet. However it doesn’t matter how good a physics engine is when the values input into it are dumbed down to appease the market.

There is vastly too much grip, catering toward the magazine readers, Doug A, the mastermind of previous physics such as GTR/GPL etc and a real life driver winning many titles has obviously been reigned in with these physics. It’s a pity Simbin had to pander to magazine critics in this respect, I think the community is in agreement that this is a backward step. This is a HUGE pity, and the main reason I cannot drive the sim anymore...

A good thing to come out of this is the source code has been left open appeasing the hardcore crowd by letting make their own physics. In this case we are lucky, the NAP mod physics is vastly improved and finally something to make GTR2 enjoyable. Make sure if you want a more realistic experience you try these physics.

Conclusion

Graphical feast, with accurate cars and tracks, I love the sounds for the immersion factor, however its difficult to see this other than a highly advanced mod of rfactor due to the many options which are identical, that said I look forward to Blimey Games new creations over Simbin which now seems to be heading toward the console racer.

Can’t help but feel, putting the ‘Sim’ in the ‘Bin’.

Graphics: 82.5
Sounds: 87
Gameplay: 70
Online: 70
Physics: 10

Overall: 64 out of 100