Isn't it supposed to be like this in a real race? (I know RR3 does it differently, but that's not very real...)
Very, very nice. This looks and plays and handles much more realistically than RR3'and the cars sound a lot better like real cars should. The handling and frame rate is phenomenal unlike RR3 where it lags sometimes even on ipad 4. This is butter smooth. Able to suddenly swerve around corners at speed as it should be. An excellent simulation. Gameloft almost always release stuff which lags but this is awesome. Its gameplay that I really want and this delivers. How they got even better graphics than RR3 and yet lightning fast frame rates I'll never know.
many dropped frames on ipad Mini RD, even after hard reset. Same for Asphalt 8. I don't get it why it runs smooth on ipad 4 and doesn't on A7 devices no optimization...maybe?
I disagree here, I think RR3 is more realistic than GTR2, with both of them being arcade driving games. With GTR2 I only have to use the break with very radical curves and going at high speed, meanwhile with RR3 I have to use the break with almost every curve and it's harder to drive the car too.
I tried RR3, and cleared a couple gigs of space shortly afterwards. Strike one, EA made it. Strike two, the waiting game (granted they improved it greatly after reaming early players). Strike three, EA made it. They get two strikes for EA because another company could have used everything available and turned it into a game that didn't bend you over and do nasty things to parts of you that don't desire those intrusions. EA only does it one way, the wrong way. GL has its faults, but those faults are mostly a product of pushing the graphics to their limits, whereas EA's faults come from pushing the pocket of their consumers to the limits.
To be fair, I feel like RR3 cars are more "soapy" than they should be, and you do need to rely on brakes more with faster cars on GTR2. I came to appreciate the handling of GTR2 despite my initially negative impression. GTR2 also has the advantage of better graphics, better performance and more interesting tracks. HOWEVER, despite people bashing RR3's freemium mechanics, I feel GTR2 is considerably worse in this aspect. They are way too much stingy with cars. You have to play for several hours to have the chance of playing with remotely decent cars while in RR3 you get to drive cool cars much sooner. Also, in GTR2 you have to buy and upgrade a lot of crappy cars because some events are restricted and you need the stars to unlock more events. In RR3 you don't need to buy as many cars to progress. Yes, you need to repair cars. But that comes with an interesting mechanic, which encourages you to drive clean. Not to mention you can still drive your cars while they are upgrading while this is not possible in GTR2 (and you can upgrade more than one stat on RR3 while only one upgrade at a time in GTR2), so I think the "waiting time" is in the same ballpark between both games. I also like RR3's selection of cars better.
I dunno if it is the case (as I have both games since they both soft launched) but a lot of the things you say about the cars and having to go through the not so nice cars in GTR 2 to get to the nice ones are exactly the same criticisms people who downloaded RR3 v1.2. The pr requirements to race cars in certain races is a lock out basically that can only be countered by spending a lot of in game money and gold in later races in order in order to even race in certain events. At least in GT2, while it may have a recommendation to upgrade the car to champion, it actually won't make you upgrade it if you want to race it. You might not win it (in many cases I have own with under upgraded cars) but you will at least get to compete. Also in relation to what you say about access to nicer cars earlier in RR3. In its current state, RR3 requires you to have x amount of cups in the previous championship before the very next one unlocks. Much the same as GT and the stars to unlock. That follows a very linear progress line so, for example, if you downloaded both games at the same time in their current state, you would still have a hell of a lot of hours to put in before you could race the Ferrari's. It does not allow you jump ahead a series (without spending a lot of gold). Also, RR3 does require specific cars for specific events and specific series. The Hyundai is the most recent example. The Lexus ISF is another example. And each series has events that only specific cars can be raced in. It's all the same thing in both. I think you are comparing the earlier version of RR3 (when things were a lot easier and one had access to all the cars, a scenario that's not there in the current version) to the current version of GTR 2 and the complaints you're aiming at GT R 2 exist in RR3 very much so also. The thing is GT R 2 doesn't make you repair cars after every two races or wait long times for delivery. I find it rewards quicker than the current version of RR3 also. Particularly, GT R 2 rewards the premium currency a lot more than RR3. I am always about 90% complete in RR3 (it fluctuates with each update) and it is still a favourite game but that percentage is down to having it from day one and not hitting the pr lockouts and series lockouts that came with v1.2. And I can't actually progress any further without buying a substantial amount of gold for a car or two and a lot of upgrades. I've already spent in it and I've spent my limit. In this, I'm trying to envision where I'll need premium currency but as things stand, I have a substantial amount of dollars saved up and plenty of in game currency for upgrades and cars. Maybe the pressure will come later, but at the moment I've had no reason to get any iap and at the rate I'm earning, I actually can't see any reason why I will need it. I will at some stage because I'm not going to just expect to play something like this for free forever, I just can't find anything I need the iap for. So in the sense of the freemium mechanics, if one were to download both today on new installs and no progress, GT R 2 is a far easier game to progress in. In saying that, I enjoy both games immensely and wouldn't be without either as they do bring something different in each game and variety is the spice of life.
This is true, but the difference is the degree. RR3 has the same linear path of unlocks, but nice cars simply come in earlier events while in GTR2 they saturated earlier events with boring cars. Maybe it's just as hard to drive a Ferrari in RR3, but at least I get to drive decent cars first. And while some events are restricted to specific cars, it's nowhere near as bad, and you can still ignore most of them and get enough medals. In GTR2, most events in a group are restricted to a specific car. You can ignore a couple, but if you ignore most and don't buy the required cars you simply won't have enough stars to go very far. In any case, both games are at the very least comparable in the freemium department. I just wish GTR2 had better cars earlier and a nice cockpit view.
That's all very fair and I do understand where you're coming from. As with all things, different opinions and all that but I do get what you mean and while I wouldn't share your view on all of it, on some of it we would be on the same page. Its worth noting a lot of high end cars are yet to be added to this and there will be plenty of updates in that area to satisfy the majority of us. RR3 has a head start in that area but I've every reason to believe this will get some very nice gear in the future. Just what exactly isn't known yet. I would have liked some more high end cars as well earlier and there are a few smaller ones that I probably will never bother with (I am accumulating stars quite nicely, but that's just me) but at the same time, for some reason I can't quite explain, I actually do very much like some of the "lower end" (for want of a better term) stuff and enjoy racing them. I do like my Corvette's, Vanquish's and GTO's as well but for some reason I really like that small Alfa and the Passat CC as well. I guess the variety of classes just appeals more to me for some reason. In saying that, I do get your point though. On the cockpit view, I'm in no position to comment because I use it very rarely in either game but I am aware that there are tweaks coming there so maybe in an update, it'll be better suited to what you're looking for. It's very early days (this type of game does get a longer lifespan and more additions over time) so we'll just have to wait and see what they do with it. In relation to handling and realism, 2K is the king there. That is plainly obvious in that it has 6 planes of movement alone. Both this and RR3 lean on the arcade side of realism. Which is just fine because it makes both more accessible to a larger audience than 2K, which was criticised heavily in its thread for its difficulty of handling which is just a reflection of how well they did the physics in it in the first place. All three offer something different but if its realism strictly one is after, 2K drive is the only show in town. As to RR3 or this, well, the further you get in Gt R 2, the more realistic it gets and much more rewarding and punishing at the same time. Its easy to pick up and play at the beginning for obvious reasons but the further you get, skill will become a factor and the realistic elements become far more apparent in the faster cars. It just chooses to ease you in to it so that the player can learn rather than requiring that skill at the very beginning. RR3 lacks that progression in my opinion. It is the same physics all the time in all the cars so even in the higher cars, they are just going that bit faster and that's really about it. At least in GT R 2, there is a marked difference between FWD, AWD and RWD cars. That's lacking in RR3 as it is consistently the same thing irrelevant of the car, just different speeds that relate to early or later braking essentially. And I'd say that this is actually more challenging at the stage I'm at in it. Bear in mind I'm probably farther in than a lot as I do have it longer but I do have to consider oversteer, understeer, rear grip and other factors now that I have the assists off and am using an upgraded Corvette. But then again, I enjoy all three very much and would have great difficulty deleting any of them because they each do excel in different parts. You can't beat a bit of variety and for the racing fan, the variety and choice of excellent racing games, be it arcade, arcadey, semi realistic, realistic or hardcore, has never been better on iOS.
I tried 2K but couldn't get past the initial learning curve. I guess it's too realistic for my liking. I enjoy a more arcadey, yet with some realism added, kind of racing. I totally agree about cars being more distinct in GTR2, that's one thing I like too. At first they seem really similar, but later you get to see how each car has its own strengths and weakness. Out of curiosity, which view do you use? Cockpit is my favorite with hood being a distant second. Sadly, GTR2 doesn't have a hood view, so I use the "first person" camera. Maybe they'll add hood later as it's a fairly simple thing to do. The view outside the car is nice to enjoy the graphics and your cars, but I can't drive very well with it.
Generally the "near" view as its called in the camera options. I get a nice bit of accuracy from it. And I like the view. If I'm going for a pure speed, fastest lap time, I do use the in car camera but as you said earlier (I think), it does need a bit more tweaking to make it optimal as it has a few little things that could be better. But as I don't use it an awful lot, those little things don't really bother me and it still gives me the best lap times when that's what I need. But generally, near view. I like to see the environment and the cars when I can and I can always be accurate enough with other cars and corners to get the lap right. Plus I do like to see the car power slide around a corner. I'd imagine the hood view is definitely under consideration because it has been something a lot of people have asked for. I like the sensation of speed it gives me in other games but I personally find I lose some accuracy and a small bit of control with it. But that's simply a personal thing. You're right about 2K by the way. I like it because I find it very challenging but it is difficult to get the hang of at the beginning and a tad frustrating but that's just what keeps me coming back to it. And at the beginning, it definitely frustrated me until I got the hang of it I can excel relatively well at RR3 and GTR 2 fairly quickly because I also do like the arcadish sim racer and they are far more forgiving (which is a good thing a lot of the time because they have the fun factor) but 2K really makes me work hard at it again and again. I think that is what pushed a lot of people away from it. I'm still very happy to have all three to choose from and won't be deleting any of them any time soon.
Great posts Rip, I agree completely. Of the 3 games 2K gives me the biggest driving thrill. Unfortunately the limited car and track selection have left me feeling like it needs more to keep me playing. RR3 and GTR2 really frustrate me with their overpriced IAP. I enjoyed RR3 for hundreds of hours before the 1.2 update but each update after that got more and more restrictive and finally broke the camels back. GTR2 turned me off right away with a very demanding career which required way too much time and money on low level cars. If I had my way I'd love to see 2K Drive get more cars and tracks and a few tweaks to the career and multiplayer. But I don't think that game has much life left as it's realistic physics aren't appreciated by the mobile crowd. Secondly I'd love to see EA come to their senses and reduce the restrictions and IAP prices in RR3. In the meantime I'm actually getting a lot of enjoyment out of Asphalt 8. It's not the type of game I usually go for as it's got the most unrealistic driving physics I've ever seen. But the controls are easy to use, the graphics are great and it's just plain fun. Even A8 has some pretty outrageous IAP prices but I've been able to unlock 7 seasons without spending a dime and without grinding.
Why, thank you Wedge On the A8 point, it is the game on iOS that has made me smile the most. And literally laugh out loud at some of the ultra weird jumps I can manage by hitting a sloped ramp at ridiculous speeds while drifting at the wrong angle. It is hilarious fun. On the iap front, it never affected me in it or in this one. There is expensive iap there in both of course but it never really felt needed in A8. I did get some in it but that was more because I'd payed 99cent for it and it just seemed the game is worth a lot more than that. That may be right or wrong but it was just how I felt about it at the time. And still do because it definitely is getting supported by Gameloft with new cars and the tournaments (where is see your name a lot). Plus there seems to be sales on cars coming up a lot lately as well which should be good for a lot of people. Pity for me that I'd acquired the majority already but good for everybody else. I don't feel any iap pressure in this one either but that could just be that I'm relatively patient and enjoying the early cars racing as much as the mid range and that I'll be happy enough to get to the top range when I get there and not bothered about the time. I just like racing the lower tiered cars also. There seems to be a variety of opinions on that one. I guess I'm lucky enough to fall in to the camp that doesn't see a need to get any iap and I am just enjoying the game as it is. Different strokes for different folks though so I can see how some of the things I like about it, some wouldn't. I do just like the lengthy campaign and racing the early cars so that's why I feel differently on it and see no need for iap. But I do get what you mean from your own point of view so that's perfectly understandable and equally as valid as my own view on it. On 2K, I sincerely hope there is a lot more life in it but I have to admit I have the same fears as yourself. Hopefully we will both be wrong on that one as the game has great potential. Now must go and knock out a few more stars in A8, I could do with a good laugh. Man, that game is just a whole lotta fun.
On my ipad 4 the graphics in 2K look very good. On my iPod 4S not so much. Since I play it on my ipad the graphics don't concern me. The car selection is the real weak spot for me.
I'm somewhat disappointed in myself for not being able to come to grips with GTR2. I'm normally better than average in a game like this. But it seemed that I was making very slow progress and needed a lot of expensive upgrades just to keep up. I just wasn't getting the satisfaction of progression that every other game of this type was giving me. I supposed that given a different frame of mind I might have had a different take on it. I was getting too close to throwing my ipad and that told me it just wasn't worth it. 2K Drive was pretty frustrating at first too until I realized it had a 6 degree of freedom physics engine. I then began to tackle it like one of my PC driving sims and it was like finding the holy grail. The game then clicked and was setting great times near the top of the leader boards. With its level of driver and car customization it was as close to having a pocket Forza game as I could hope for. But ultimately it's lack of cars and tracks left me feeling like I had seen all it had to offer too soon. I still go back once in a while to feel that driving thrill. I never spent a dime in RR3 because I didn't need to in the early life of the game. I love the game and wanted to spend money but the pricing was so absurd that I did not feel like I was going to get a good value for my purchase. Then when version 1.3 came along it became clear that the game was going to force me into spending money and that was it for me. No way I was spending money on that greedy game. Asphalt 8 doesn't have a good value on the IAP either. I'd need to spend $50 just to buy one high end car. That is BS. But I've been having a blast with the cheaper cars and working my way through the seasons for free. I'm going to hit a wall soon now that most of the career is unlocked and I need to buy more A and S class cars to finish it. But that's OK because I had a heck of a lot of fun for my initial $1 entry fee.
@wedge, a tip you may or may not find useful in A8 but it will completely nullify the perceived need to buy that 50 quid if you're in the right scenario. The coin doubler they gave us early adopters when the price changed gave me more than enough in game currency to get the top 4 cars in the S class and the top 2 cars in the A class. Now it worked out extraordinarily well for me because I was on my second run at it so I had unlocked series 8 but had not raced any races and had accumulated enough stars to have half the races in it unlocked and unlocked the rest just by playing the first half. If you time using it right and keep it for the first run at series 8 (or late series 7 races), that coin doubler (that I got for free and can be won for free in the tournaments) will get you all the cars you want. So no need for that high iap you mentioned. And I personally do think if you have the patience, GT R 2 is just as easily accessible. The platinum series played a key role in it for me. I do have around 3000 of the premium dollars which was earned just through levelling up (level 45 I'm at) mastering corners on each track, different category completion rewards and a few other achievements. It really does dole that out very easily and I have a few decent mechanics. I also save the hard races in a series till last or come back to them and then use boosters from my friends list (which has some high level people) or buy them to get the final race or two that I initially struggled with and it works out. It saves on upgrades. A lot. I also have about a million in ingame currency that I'm saving for a use that I haven't discovered yet but I am currently accumulating stars for the 16 cars that I own so I'll probably use it for new cars once I've mastered the ones I have and have even more in game currency earned by then. My top two cars so far are the Virage and the Covette but I'm saving them for last of the group I currently have. The game has given me more than enough of both currency to keep me going and progress as long as I don't go mad and start buying up loads of cars that I don't need yet. I have a lot in the game with no iap purchased and as I said earlier, no iap pressure. But it is something you have to give time to. And I don't mean timers either. My friends list always nullifies any waiting times I have for upgrades which is extremely handy. I can't be unique in that I find it one of the easiest to progress in. Perhaps my game style or strategy is different to others but I genuinely am not feeling any need to get iap, though I will at some stage because the game is worth a lot more than free to play for me, I just don't really know what I'll need it for at my current progress. Don't forget the platinum series, levelling up and different series and category percentage completions are very rewarding in both currencies. You may find some of that useful or maybe not but in both games, it's what worked for me anyway. Hopefully some helps.
With the different levels of devices now it's really hard to compare graphics and performance amongst each other. Sounds like RR3 is optimized a bit better for the lower end devices. I think the same is true of 2K as that runs a lot worse on me iPhone 4S. On my ipad 4 all fours games run silky smooth and offer great graphics. Although I think RR3 might be retina enabled while A8 and 2K are not. During gameplay though it's not something that distracts me. More important to me is a sense of value and progression that is lacking from some of these games.
@Rip, Good point about the doubler and I was just starting to realize that it could help me out if I use it to play some of the later seasons. I may give that a go when I have a bunch of time to play. It's tough though as I have a busy family life that usually only let's me play for a hour or so at a time. I wish the doubler was a permanent thing because then I'd consider spending $3-$5 for it. I hate to buy it and then waste it by only get a few races in. With GTR2 did you start the game as a soft launch customer? I found that I needed to be upgrading the first two cars I bought to level 3 or more just to compete in the Amateur events. I was dumping every dime I made into upgrading the car just to have to upgrade it again to keep progressing. I was not making any money and getting no where. If you didn't have that problem you found some key to the game I didn't or perhaps it was easier for soft launch people. It's entirely possible that you are just way better at these games than me too.
