8 Things I Learned From Playing Project Cars 2

Project Cars was a racing game with quite a few strengths: visually, it was stunning, the handling was enjoyable there was a brilliant weather model and the career mode was expansive.
But there were also some gripes too, such as the over-aggressive AI, lack of car choice and a whole host of bugs and glitches.
The sequel to Project Cars was announced shortly after the original gameâs launch but is it a big step forward, or more of an evolution? We got to play an early version of the game to find out.
1. Fast and frantic

The new Rallycross discipline in the game was confirmed in the initial announcement and more details were then revealed about its addition to PC2. Having tried out a few cars and scenarios in Rallycross, I can confirm itâs what youâd expect from this kind of racing.
The action is fast and frantic, the cars are tail-happy and great fun to chuck around the circuits and it all looks pretty realistic. The kerbs were lethal though and there were a few minor quirks with the visuals.
2. Time to adapt

Rallycross is a lot of fun, but it takes some time to get used to the new style of driving. As someone who plays a lot of circuit racing games, it did take a while for me to get to grips with drifting the cars around turns, having confidence in the awesome-sounding machines and keeping up with what was going on around me.
It was pretty tough to begin with because the cars move around so much over jumps, kerbs, bumps and other things. But I eventually got used to it, and was able to log some clean (ish) and quick laps â you can push the car a lot more than you think, especially on the exits of slow corners.
I donât have loads of Rally/Rallycross racing game experience so I wonât go comparing it to other motorsport releases, but to me, it felt pretty realistic and was enjoyable. Itâs a good addition to the game and adds a fresh element to it.
3. More choice

A big negative from Project Cars was the lack of variety and choice of cars. It was pretty limited and that was disappointing. Slightly Mad Studios realised this. The team have been working hard to get new manufacturers in the game and there are some âexciting announcementsâ coming up â according to COO Rod Chong â about new and âquite obviousâ brands joining PC2.
Obviously with Rallycross joining, PC2 needed a good number of cars to make up a grid â so thereâs the Honda Civic Coupe, VW Polo WRX, Ford Focus RS WRX and Mini Countryman RX. Plus, the classic Ford Escort RS 1600 and the OMSE Supercar Lites machine feature. Theyâve mixed some World Rallycross and Global Rallycross cars, which is a bit odd, but thereâs enough diversity there.
It was also confirmed to us that the Slightly Mad crew worked with Renault and Mercedes to create two fictional Rallycross cars, which are included in the game.
Right now, there official word is âover 170 carsâ in the game, but they say there might be a few more than that in the end.
4. Plenty of tracks

Again, going on what weâve been told by Slightly Mad, there will be âover 50 track locationsâ with multiple layouts â the most of any console game, apparently. Among them are some renowned Rallycross circuits such as Daytona, Lydden Hill, DirtFish, Knockhill, Lankebanen and a few more to be announced.
5. More stunning visuals

PC2 does look absolutely amazing, and the early build doesnât seem like it was running at full pelt so weâre sure the finished product will be even more beautiful to look at. Itâs a good step forward compared to the original game, thatâs for sure.
The attention to detail is evident even at this stage of development â creative director Andy Tudor admitted they had extensive discussions while developing the game about things as minor as how long dust hangs in the air for.
Racing GT cars around the Red Bull Ring, it took me a few seconds to realise it was going from day to night, the transition was that seamless. Plus, watching some people drive around Long Beach in an IndyCar with VR looked damn cool.
6. Still a few bugs

Obviously, the game doesnât come out until late 2017, so weâre still some way off the finished build. Bugs and little issues are to be expected from an early version. I noticed with one lap to go in a GT race the AI slowed quite a bit, and there were a few visual glitches, plus the AI doing some weird things.
But I played an early version of Project Cars some time before it was released and that had quite a few more bugs, so in that respect itâs a positive. There are still some issues to iron out with PC2 but it shouldnât be much of a concern.
7. New features

Hearing from the creative director and speaking to the COO of Slightly Mad, we got wind of quite a few extra details about the up-coming PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC game. Rallycross uses the same camera angles in replays as in real life, thereâs a new rain simulator, light system and a special Rallycross track on snow.
The controller gameplay was criticised by players of the original game but thatâs been reworked from the ground up. Thereâs also a new system for multiplayer that tracks what you do online to pair you with other gamers with similar skills and racing styles. You can also race historic cars in career mode alongside other new disciples.
8. Gameplay improvements

I spent quite a bit of time playing the first game and still chuck it in the PS4 occasionally. Handling was decent but I found it a bit too twitchy and the AI were too boisterous. The cars definitely feel more planted to the ground and have a more authentic vibe in PC2, although I am not sure what settings we had for the early build. It felt a bit more accessible but still took skill to be quick (I spun, a lot).
The AI still had an aggressive streak but seemed more balanced - I wasnât barged off track quite as much. I didnât have a load of time playing the game but the overall racing aspect felt much more refined and enjoyable, which is a good sign of whatâs to come with the finished game.
So, itâs certainly an encouraging start, especially compared to the original game. But thereâs still things to be ironed out and a lot of expectation for a better overall package. Itâs set for release in late 2017 â letâs see what the end product is like!
Comments
Iâm looking forward to PC2 as, you say, they know exactly where to pick up from. If theyâve mapped the controller use for the game, Iâll definitely be buying it.
Did you try the game using the controller?
Yes was using the controller and felt a good improvement
Looks like a massive step up compared to the last game, I might buy it!
Iâve always been a fan of the original, the PC version with a wheel can be very rewarding with all driver aids off. The aggressive AI are annoying but I take it as a challenge not to let them push me off. Based on the previous game and what theyâve chosen to build on and improve Project Cars 2 will be pretty epic. I already love the car choices theyâre making. Iâve always liked that Project Cars doesnât bother with the mass quantities of street cars like other games. Race cars are much more focused and fun to drive
I feel most people who complain have never watched a touring car race!
Am I the only one who always found the cars were harder to control in the game than they would be in real life? Hahaha
i agree
i think that if you put mad mike to drift his mx5 on project cars we would say its easier in real life
I get so frustrated when I cant take a turn at 40mph without understeering into the guard rail in a car that i know can take it at 70mph in real life.
Yup i found that too, dont know if its because the tracks are actually wider than in the game or the steering model is sponsored by lurpac.
I did with the first one. Still tricky in PC2 but better! I spun a lot less on my first go than I expected 😂😂
Have you played dirt rally?
Everybody excited about PC2
And here I am waiting for Overtake: CT Game
#CTtheGame
Lol, ur the one devolving it tho, u should know when itâs ready
I feel like the only one here who thought the first PCars was an absolute disaster. In my opinion, terrible driving dynamics, glitchy, and too much dlc to pay for. Tuning isnât good in the game either. I definitely will not be getting the second one since the first was just awful⊠in my opinion anyway.
100% agree with you mate
First one shouldâve been: Itâs more fun.
I feel like im one of the few people who really enjoyed the first one..
I enjoyed it and hated it in equal measures! Cadwell in a game was undoubtedly the best thing that ever happened in my life aside from the birth of my son but seriously how frustrating is that handling model! Itâs rock hard yet nothing like driving a real car.
My favourite track racing game gets a sequel. This is going to be ⊠AWESOME!!!
Canât wait, hope my GTX780 (OC) is still good enough on 1080p 60hz
I have a 6gb gtx 1060 overclocked to the limits and iâm scared i wonât be able to run it on good settings 😂😂😂😂
Pagination