TOCA Race Driver 2: The Ultimate Racing Simulator - Xbox

The sequel to Toca Race Driver's most obvious selling point is its massive assortment of motorsports. There's just about everything on four wheels that we can think of here - apart from soapbox racers, maybe - and there's a different way to race every type of vehicle. Tearing around in a comparatively flimsy Formula Ford and hulking your way around Kyalami in a super-truck is not the same thing, but you get to do both here. Be prepared for one or two failures as you get to grips with the different kinds of vehicles: by the same token, be prepared to exclaim in a fashion of your choosing when you've finally mastered them, and are able to move on to the next level of competition. The game structure is such that whatever you do in the Career mode - the heart and soul of TRD2 - opens up more options in Simulation mode, meaning more free races and more time trials in more locations in a greater selection of cars: exactly what a 2004-bred racer demands, and then some. 52 racing circuits from all over the globe are available: Donington, Laguna Seca, Bathurst and Vallelunga are just a few of our favourites already. The number of racetracks in the game is complemented by a hugely challenging set of motorsports, the likes of which we haven't seen all together in one game before. Competitions include GT Sports Car Racing, Street Racing, Rally, DTM, V8 Supercars, Global GT Lights, Rally Cross, Formula Ford, Open Wheel Grand Prix, Classic Car Racing and Convertible Racing.

TRD2's control system will be familiar to players of the original, and easy enough to configure for novices. A big improvement has been made with the vehicle handling and physics, and it's consistent too. Whatever kind of motor you're driving, the forces of gravity, the acceleration and braking, and the occasional prang with an opponent of course, it all adds up to a realistic experience. Speaking of prangs - something the Toca series has always proudly featured - vehicle deformation is still intact and some of the AI driver behaviour has to be seen to be believed. Never predictable, on the whole, the other cars on track (up to 20 at a time, folks) do the business. Once in a while though, and just when you least expect it, things get hairy! And that's just racing against the computer. Going online is an even more hair-raising experience, with all those pesky humans out to get you - fantastic! Try not to deform your vehicle too much however, as the more damage you do, the more your performance will be affected. A major change from Toca Race Driver is the forced retirement you may have to face if you're too careless. A really big impact can force you out of a race in TRD2, preventing you from pootling along at 55mph, sparks flying from tyre-less wheels.

Toca Race Driver 2 is everything that we had hoped for and more. As a solo experience, you can spend hours in practice or building a career for yourself, but this game is crying out to be 'multi-played'. With up to twelve players accommodated by Xbox Live, plus the computer-controlled cars, TRD2 is an essential online racing experience. more