Game:

TOCA Race Driver 3 (2006)

Duration: 18:30

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Loading times were removed for your consideration and enjoyment. Before I begin I just gotta say that any frame rate drops are due to my capture device and I love the intro to this game!

In the distance far away from the developers of the Gran Turismo Franchise, Forza franchise, and now even The Need For Speed franchise, is a developer who quietly chuckles to themselves as they watch these companies duke it out to be the definitive racing simulator. This developer is known as Codemasters. When I say far away in the distance, I mean far ahead. Codemasters is certainly no rookie when it comes to making games, especially racing games.

Enter ToCA Race Driver 3. The last in the series that appeared on the PS2, XBOX, and PC. ToCA 3 went all out as Codemasters didn't think it was just enough to have international tracks, licensed cars, and excellent physics. Oh no......not even close! They said "Why not shove every possible discipline of automotive racing into one game." You wanna race classic cars? Wanna race formulas? Wanna race stock cars? Wanna race dirt buggys? Wanna race domestic and imports? Wanna race diesel rigs? Wanna race MONSTER TRUCKS!? Yes, you can do that and much more. ToCA Race Driver 3 is an all you can eat buffet. Not like Hometown Buffet where the food is cold and bland. More like Golden Corral where all the food is hot and delicious.

Aside from there being a plethora of different kinds of racing in this game, there is so much more to this game that sets it apart from other driving simulators. First is the ease of accessibility. Unlike any other racing simulator I know of, this game by default makes it's physics much more forgiving for novice racers to be able to still have fun and win races. The cars all have traction control and a generous amount of grip. For racing enthusiasts like me there is simulation handling which removes traction control, the tires have much less grip, and the physics are much more real life. So no matter if you're a racing novice or veteran, you can have fun. Secondly this game has damage. Again this can be turned on or off. The damage is real. As where Forza has damage, it will only effect the way your car drives to a certain point. In ToCA 3 you can totally break down. Under-steering head on into a tree on a rally track will instantly end your car. Buckling your hood too far due to ramming into your opponents will damage your engine. Taking a jump too fast will damage your suspension and even other things. You get the idea. The best part is if you like racing in car, you can damage or even blow out your windshield. Thirdly, this game has rules and flags that you must obey. Not to worry as they can be turned off if you don't want them. Fourth, this game gives you the option of a story like progression called "World Tour" mode where you work your way up 32 tiers full of different kinds of racing with a coach who talks to you during the race and after. Then there is the Pro mode where you select your discipline and go at it at your own pace.

The game is absolutely huge, and since I am only 10% done, I can't show everything the game has to offer. The graphics are very good. At least on the PS2 the resolution is not as high as Gran Turismo or the XBOX version of this game but the car models, track detail, reflections, lighting and textures are all excellent still. ToCA 3 still has my favorite in car view. You see the windshield and the hood of the car. None of the screen is wasted with the dash and steering wheel. The sound is amazing. All of the engine sounds are very satisfying (even the muscle cars), and there is not any other game in it's generation with better collision and tire sounds. On a well adjusted sound system this game sounds fantastic. The physics are excellent while being a little more forgiving than Forza and Enthusia as you still can brake hard around turns without completely locking up the wheels. Don't think for a second that this makes the game easy at all. The A.I. is the most brutal I've ever seen in any game. Even more so than Forza. It is just straight up dirty. That muscle car race took me over 30 minutes of trying over and over again to gain second place, even though I qualified for 1st place. They sideswipe you and spin you to take you out. I will probably make a blooper reel of all the times I wiped out and lost the race there is so much footage of it. The force feedback system for steering wheels is excellent and is only outdone by Gran Turismo 4.

ToCA Race Driver 3 is a superb racing title and a very long one. Some professional reviewers looked at this game as being a jack of all trades and a master of none. Those reviewers are just jacks of all asses. This is a very much available game and can be had for about 10 bucks or cheaper. You need this game.

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