Product Description
GTR
Evolution will contain 5 new classes containing a total of 30 new car
models. First there are 3 classes of GT cars, each class with its own
type of GT cars. In these classes you can find famous race cars such as
the Corvette C6R, Aston Martin DBR9, BMW M3 GTR, Koenigsegg CCGT and
Spyker C8 Spyder GT2R. Next to 3 GT classes there will be the WTCC
Extreme cars. These are fictional designs of the vision of SimBin
together with the WTCC Manufacturers on how the ultimate WTCC car could
look. To finish it off there will be the Production Car Class, featuring
the road going versions of the Audi R8, Dodge Viper SRT/10, Koenigsegg
CCX and Gumpert Apollo.
Product
Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #911 in Software
- Brand:
Viva Media
- Model: 00425
- Released on: 2008-08-26
- ESRB
Rating: Everyone
- Platforms: Windows Vista, Windows XP
- Format:
DVD-ROM
- Dimensions: .44 pounds
Features
- 49
Unique cars in 12 classes with over 500 variations--combines the
elements of racing with touringcars, GT cars, formula cars and
sportscars
- 19 tracks and over 40 different layouts, including
the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife
- 26 brand new GT car
models in 4 different classes, including a selection of exclusive
production cars
- WTCC Extreme Cars--evolution concept cars
developed together with the car manufacturers of the WTCC
Editorial
Reviews
Amazon.com
The
most beautiful GT's. Extreme versions of the already spectacular World
Touring Cars. Exclusive roadcars from prestigious brands. You will find
that and much more in GTR Evolution, including the legendary Nürburgring
Nordschleife, a 20.8km long racetrack in Germany.
Game Modes Arcade
Extreme
GTR Evolution will come with new game modes, of which
the Arcade Extreme game mode is the most noticable. In this mode the
emphasis is shifted from realism to action and fun. This is done by
implementing more and bigger backfires, damage and debris and easier
physics.
Added Championship functionality
Other
news is the added material to Championship and Custom Championship.
These new options allow for full integration of the GT cars now and
offer the possibility of running a endurance championship as well as a
touring car championship. Functionality is added to the Custom
Championship as well, allowing to player to mix in the GT cars and WTCC
Extreme cars with the other content. |
 49 Unique cars in 12 classes with over 500
variations. Click to enlarge. |
 Race with easier handling, more damage
visuals and debris and huge backfires in Arcade Extreme mode. Click to
enlarge. |
Cars
GTR
Evolution will contain 5 new classes containing a total of 30 new car
models. First there are 3 classes of GT cars, each class with its own
type of GT cars. In these classes you can find famous race cars such as
the Corvette C6R, Aston Martin DBR9, BMW M3 GTR, Koenigsegg CCGT and
Spyker C8 Spyder GT2R.Next to 3 GT classes there will be the WTCC
Extreme cars. These are fictional designs of the vision of SimBin
together with the WTCC Manufacturers on how the ultimate WTCC car could
look.
To finish it off there will be the Production Car Class,
featuring the road going versions of the Audi R8, Dodge Viper SRT/10,
Koenigsegg CCX and Gumpert Apollo.
Key Features and Game Modes
- In
total 49 Unique cars in 12 classes with over 500 variations
GTR
Evolution combines the elements of racing with touringcars, GT cars,
formula cars and sportscars.
- 19 tracks, over 40
different layouts, including the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife
From
the streets of Macau to the straights of Monza or the Karussell on the
Nürburgring Nordschleife.
- GT Championship Frenzy.
26
brand new GT car models in 4 different classes, including a selection
of exclusive production cars.
- WTCC Extreme Cars.
Evolution
concept cars developed together with the car manufacturers of the WTCC.
Rear Wheel Drive, over 600hp in 1000kg cars with extended body-kits;
these beasts will give GT cars a run for their money.
 Enjoy Evolution concept cars developed
together with the car manufacturers of the WTCC. Click to enlarge. |
 A racedriver's heaven. Click to enlarge. |
 19 tracks and over 40 different layouts,
including the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife Click to enlarge. |
| Cars |
GT
Pro: Aston Martin DBR9, Audi R8 GT Concept, Corvette C5-R, Corvette
C6.R, Dodge Viper GTS/R, Gumpert Apollo GT, Koenigsegg CCGT, Lister
Storm, Saleen S7-RGT Sport: BMW M3 GTR, BMW Z4
GTR, Corvette Z06 GT2, Marcos Marcorelly GTS, Mosler MT900R, Seat Cupra
GT, Seat Toledo GT, Spyker C8 Spyder GT2R, SunRed SR21
GT
Club: Aston Martin DBRS9, Dodge Viper Comp. Coupe, Gillet Vertigo,
Marcos Marcorelly GTC, Alfa-Romeo 156, Alfa-Romeo 156 GTA, BMW 320si
e90, BMW 320i e46, Chevrolet Lacetti, Honda Accord Euro-R, Peugeot 407,
Seat Le—n, Seat Toledo Cupra
WTCC '87:
Alfa-Romeo 75 turbo, BMW M3 e30
WTCC Extreme:
Alfa-Romeo 156 Extreme, BMW 320si Extreme, Chevrolet Lacetti Extreme,
Seat Leon Extreme
Formula 3000: Lola B02/60
Formula
BMW: Formula BMW
Mini Cooper Challenge:
Mini Cooper S
Tracks |
| Nürburgring:
Nürburgring Nordschleife, Nürburgring GPWTCC
'06/'07: Anderstorp, Sweden; Brands-Hatch, United Kingdom; Brno,
Czech Republic; Curitiba, Brazil; Istanbul, Turkey; Macau; Magny-Cours,
France; Monza, Italy; Oschersleben, Germany; Pau, France; Porto,
Portugal; Puebla, Mexico; Valencia, Spain; Zandvoort, The Netherlands
Additional
Tracks: Estoril, Portugal; Imola, Italy; Vara Raceway, Sweden |
Features
In-Game
File Sharing
It will be possible to share files, to up- and
download setups while being in the game. The same will be possible for
the ghost-files for time trial sessions. You can up- and download ghost
files in-game, which can also include the setup that was used to make
the ghost.
Online Leader-boards and Ranking
Online
leader-boards and ranking will be available for all the new tracks and
classes, both on the website and in-game.
Race-Line
In
Time-Trial a feature is added called the Race-Line. This raceline is
inspired by the race-line in GTR2, but features much more options. There
are distinctive brake-markers to indicate braking points, and you can
not load just one but even two race-lines to compare and follow. These
race-lines including their ghost-files and setups can be up- or
downloaded in-game as well.
Replay Studio
The Replay
system is now equipped with the possibility to not only save the full
replay after the race but also the instant replays that can be viewed
during the race.
Nationality Indicator
The
player-profile will now be equipped with a flag and a country indicator,
which will follow the player throughout the game. This will also allow
for country specific rankings and other country specific options.
GT
Championship Frenzy
26 brand new GT car models in 4 different
classes, including a selection of exclusive production cars.
WTCC
Extreme Cars
Evolution concept cars developed together with the
car manufacturers of the WTCC. Rear Wheel Drive, over 600hp in 1000kg
cars with extended body-kits; these beasts will give GT cars a run for
their money.
Online rankings and leaderboards
Upload
your times online and attack the leaderboards. Do you have it in you to
be ranked #1?
Full dynamic weather
Dynamic weather
changes. Do you see those dark clouds? Be afraid, be very afraid!
Welcome
to the Green Hell of the Nürburgring Nordschleife
A PC
exclusive: experience the modern Nordschleife for the first time in a PC
title, along with the Nürburgring GP track.
GT Championship
Frenzy
26 brand new GT car models in 4 different classes,
including a selection of exclusive production cars.
WTCC
Extreme Cars
Evolution concept cars developed together with the
car manufacturers of the WTCC. Rear Wheel Drive, over 600hp with
extended body-kits; these beasts will give GT cars a run for their
money.
New race-line including a dynamic trackmap
New
features supply a driving tutorial to educate you to become a racing
driver.
All-new Arcade Extreme Mode
A brand new game
mode; perfect for the beginner or for the casual gamer. Race with easier
handling, more damage visuals and debris and huge backfires.
Customer Reviews
If you liked Race 07, this is for you but it's not
GTR2
When I saw GTR Evo at Amazon,
I jumped at it thinking "Finally. An update to GTR2." I was wrong.
GTR2
is probably the best racing simulation game out there. It has all the
detail and depth you might want from a simulation: the physics system is
excellent, AI cars are appropriately aggressive and smart, car setup
and configuration options are extremely detailed, and there is an
excellent tutorial system that will educate you as a simulation racing
driver. In short an excellent simulation and a must for any racing
simulation fan. However, GTR2 is now several years old, so an update is
possibly in order. This, unfortunately, is not it. Still, that's not all
bad.
Compared to GTR2, Race and Race 07 were both good racing
simulations but not designed to be as realistic as GTR2. GTR Evo is an
extension of Simbin's Race and Race 07 game franchise. Like Race 07, GTR
Evo takes the existing game and adds some new cars and some new tracks.
(So, if you buy GTR Evo, you will have all the Race 07 game features,
cars, and tracks.) Anyone who is familiar with the Race franchise will
feel right at home with the menus, options, and general look and feel of
the game.
The additions to this game are primarily GT-class cars
such as Corvette, Aston Martin, Lister Storm, and others.
(Conspicuously absent are Porsches and Ferraris, both prominent in GT
racing.) The game also includes some "fantasy" cars. For example, the
Audi R8 supercar is included, although Audi has not confirmed racing
plans for it yet. Also there is a set of WTCC Extreme cars, that give
the touring cars from Race 07 600+ horsepower, just in case you wanted
to know what a 600 HP front-wheel driver was like.
The game adds
some new tracks and combines them with the old ones. However, there is
one addition here that, by itself, is worth the price of admission: The
Nurburgring. The game includes the 'Ring in all its 16-mile, 8-minutes
per lap glory. This is a challenging track; sweeping curves, fast
sections that drop to slow corners, the famous Karussel; it's all here.
If you think you're as good as Sabine Schmidt, "Queen of the Ring",
here's your chance to find out.
Like Race, GTR Evo features car
setup that, while not as detailed as GTR2, allows for customizing of
your car's handling and performance characteristics. GTR Evo does carry
over Race 07's great preconfigured files feature, that provide a good
starting setup for each individual car for each track.
Drivability
is very good and the physics engine gives good approximations of
real-world driving characteristics (like front-wheel drive oversteer).
Simbin has improved the sound effects, adding to the realism. The AI
drivers are good if not quite as aggressive as you might like.
The
traditional multiplayer, championship, and practice/time attack modes
are still there, with the addition of a R-Arcade quick race mode.
Bottom
line: This is a good simulation for those wanting a realistic racing
sim. This is a good extension of the Race franchise and fans will not be
disappointed. However, hard-core racing enthusiasts may want to stick
to GTR2.
Be Aware
GTR Evolution will install
Securom copy protection software on your system.
A description of
Securom by another Amazon customer:
"The primary concerns are
these:
- Securom is an undocumented program that is designed to,
can, and does alter the function of a computer upon which it is
installed, and it is installed without the user's knowledge, consent,
nor control.
- It actively runs without notice to the user, has
access to the computer kernel, utilizes the user's computer resources,
the user has no control over its operation, and it transmits unknown
information over the user's internet connection without the user's
knowledge.
- Securom installs hidden files, folders, and undeletable
registry entries upon execution, but does not fully uninstall when the
associated software is uninstalled.
- Securom is not named, notated
nor fully documented anywhere on packaging nor digital download
description at point of purchase."
The boxed DVD contains two
versions of the game, an Offline and an Online Steam version. The
offline version will definitely install Securom. Even after allowing the
system changes identified by antivirus software as an "invader" the
game still would not launch.
I then tried the Online version.
After installing the Steam software and registering the CD key, the
Steam install screen said it would take 2 days+21hrs to install from the
DVD, an apparent symptom of trying to verify every single file. It
appears the online version was using Securom disk verification as well.
A
separate issue is after manual installation with help from Steam
Customer Support "updating" the game with Steam requires a 4GB download,
7 hours via a DSL connection. Apparently you have to download the full
game even with the purchased DVD.
There is a number of pending
class action lawsuits regarding Securom use by other game manufacturers.
I have games like GTR2 that use older versions of Securom with no
problems, but the newer 7.3x versions seem of particular concern. My
copy of GTR Evo was using Securom v7.37.
Do some research
before installing this game.
Fun to
play, but has a convoluted implementation
Since the game play details
have already been extensively discussed in prior reviews here, let me
discuss what I consider a major flaw in the implementation of GTR
Evolution that not one reviewer has covered.
The game comes in
four parts:
1) Steam
2) GTR Evolution Offline
3) GTR
Evolution Online
4) Race 07 Dedicated Server
Installing ALL
aspects of this game eats up approximately 9 GBs of hard drive space!
The
Steam application is used to look for online games (not just GTR
Evolution games) as well as chat with your buddies and everything else,
except the kitchen sink (basically, it's another version of GameSpy
bloatware). You MUST install Steam in order to play online.
GTR
Offline only contains the game made for offline playing and there is no
way to play online once you have loaded this version of the game.
Instead, you have to exit the offline version and load in the online
version of the game. This is a ridiculous implementation and the first
time I have seen such a convoluted design in a game. The load times are
horrendous! I have a 4 hard drive (7,200 RPM) RAID array and it still
takes a fair amount of time to get the game up and running.
GTR
Online is the EXACT SAME GAME as the Offline version, except it contains
the Multiplayer menu option. It seems that the designers want you to
think you have to install the Offline version of the game in order to
play a Championship, but this simply isn't true. You can play the exact
same Championship in the Online version of the game as you can with the
Offline version (Championship mode has nothing to do with being online
or offline). The silly thing is, if you start a Championship in the
offline version, the online version can't see your saved progress (and
vice-versa). So, you can actually have two entirely separate
Championships going, one in the offline version of the game and the
other in the online version of the game (remember, being "online" has
absolutely nothing to do with the Championship mode).
Here's the
really STUPID part of this whole mess... If you launch the Online
version of GTR Evolution and have the audacity to actually host a game
you are LOCKED INTO PLAYING THE SAME TRACK OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND...
well you get the picture. There is absolutely no way to change tracks
if you host this way. You need to stop your server from within the
Online version of the game and start a new server with the next track
you want to race -- your buddies will also have to rejoin your server.
Pure genius programming. What you have to do is...
Install the
Race 07 Dedicated Server application. Basically, what this does is
launch a window on your desktop where you select the cars, tracks, rules
for the races, etc. that you want to use on your dedicated server. This
is a stand-alone application and has no relationship to actually
playing the game yourself. Once you launch the Dedicated Server, which
takes forever to get up and running on my well-equipped system, you then
have to launch the actual GTR Evolution Online game and look for your
dedicated server (either in the LAN or Internet areas of the interface
-- LAN will give you a better ping to your own game, obviously). Here's
where the fun really begins... The dedicated server will always start at
the first track in the list of available tracks that you have set up
and will go through them one by one in order. There is no way to tell
the dedicated server what track to start with or to simply be able to
pick a specific track you want to play at any given moment. Instead,
what you have to do is either step through the tracks in order from
within the Online version of the game or go back out to your desktop and
step through the tracks one at a time until you get to the one you
really want to play. Here's the real gotcha -- every time you change
tracks from either within the online game or the dedicated interface on
your desktop, the system loads each of the tracks into the game, even if
you don't want to play that track -- too bad for you. So, here you and
your buddies are sitting and loading maybe 5, 6, or 7 tracks in order to
get to the one you actually want to play. Guess what? There's no way to
go BACKWARDS in the list of tracks you have selected to be available!
Let's say you have 10 tracks available and after playing the first two
you want to skip to track 8 in the list. You have to skip, one track at a
time, up 6 tracks to get to number 8 (all the time loading in each
track as you go, which is a lengthy process). Now let's say you are on
track 8 and want to play track 7, LOL, guess what again? Now you have to
loop your way up to track 10 and start at track 1 until you get back to
track 7. Yikes!
One more thing... once you select a specific car
to race online there is no way to switch to a different car unless you
exit the server and rejoin (selecting a different car at that time).
Finally,
I absolutely love playing this game. It is a total blast to race your
buddies online and the graphics are awesome, but the implementation of
the game as a whole is one of the most retarded bits of programming I
have ever seen and I've been playing computer games (console and PC)
since the early 1980s. Buy this game and enjoy it, warts and all, but
just be thankful it's a budget title and you didn't lay out $50 for it.
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