GTPNewsWire
Contributing Writer
- 21,598
- GTPHQ
This is the discussion thread for a recent post on GTPlanet:
This article was published by Adam Ismail (@glassjaw) on June 21st, 2017 in the Features category.
The Beautiful Letdown of Auto Modellista
- Thread starter GTPNewsWire
- 28 comments
- 17,748 views
- 51
- United States
I had actually never heard of this game, but after reading this article I decided to order a used copy from Amazon. It looks pretty fun, and boy does that art style look nice.
- 1,737
- Massachusetts
- Ettick_
I love this game. I know it has faults, many in fact, but I just can't get over it. It's just beautiful. I mean look at it. I don't know of another racing game that looks this good, and especially one that has aged this well.
I actually really enjoy the handling model. I think it's a great compromise between realism and ease of use. Sure, it's a little slippery, and you can slide a ton without really having to worry about spinning, but sliding isn't really fast, and to go fast you really have to be precise and careful of how much slip angle you take into corners. It feels almost like a game designed for a wheel, perhaps in an arcade cabinet, than for a pad.
But few people have actually tried setting competitive times, as that's not really what the average gamer would do, so nobody really knows how this game is on the limit, and how it's actually a lot of fun when you get used to it. It's really intuitive if you're used to more realistic handling models. And it's much easier and requires much less knowledge on how cars handle than more realistic handling models.
Basically, I think competitive driving is actually what feels best and most fun in the handling model, and, since this game wasn't really aimed at competitive drivers, it ends up being misunderstood a lot and given a lot of hate, and it ends up just having the wrong handling model. It's not a bad handling model. It's just the wrong one. I think this game would have been much better received if it was released in and designed for an arcade setting, in arcade cabinets, where people might care more about getting good at the game, like they do with the Initial D arcade games. That would have been much more fitting for the handling model.
So yeah, it's a letdown in some ways, but I think it's more beautiful than letdown. Definitely worth playing.
P.S. If anyone wants to compare times my convos are open
I actually really enjoy the handling model. I think it's a great compromise between realism and ease of use. Sure, it's a little slippery, and you can slide a ton without really having to worry about spinning, but sliding isn't really fast, and to go fast you really have to be precise and careful of how much slip angle you take into corners. It feels almost like a game designed for a wheel, perhaps in an arcade cabinet, than for a pad.
But few people have actually tried setting competitive times, as that's not really what the average gamer would do, so nobody really knows how this game is on the limit, and how it's actually a lot of fun when you get used to it. It's really intuitive if you're used to more realistic handling models. And it's much easier and requires much less knowledge on how cars handle than more realistic handling models.
Basically, I think competitive driving is actually what feels best and most fun in the handling model, and, since this game wasn't really aimed at competitive drivers, it ends up being misunderstood a lot and given a lot of hate, and it ends up just having the wrong handling model. It's not a bad handling model. It's just the wrong one. I think this game would have been much better received if it was released in and designed for an arcade setting, in arcade cabinets, where people might care more about getting good at the game, like they do with the Initial D arcade games. That would have been much more fitting for the handling model.
So yeah, it's a letdown in some ways, but I think it's more beautiful than letdown. Definitely worth playing.
P.S. If anyone wants to compare times my convos are open
- 2,127
- FL, USA, Earth, Sol, Local Bubble, Milky Way
- TeamACRZARacingo
- GyroxOpex
- 1,281
- Naples
- niroxxe
- NickRoss98
I remember I cleared the GameCube version of this game on the Dolphin emulator. It does have its faults like its slippery handling, but it's a great racing game with lots of style and flair, fun gameplay, really good customization, and an absolutely gorgeous graphical style that (unfortunately) few developers have bothered with.
- 1,258
- NY, NY
- GTP_shawtyoner
- shawtyoner
The cell-shading art style is what sold me on this game, I'm glad i bought it way back when
- 19
- Mississippi
This was one of the main games I played as a kid. I still enjoy it to this day. I have the Gamecube version, which is the best version. I've never played the PS2 version, so I don't know how bad the physics are in it. On GC, they're certainly unique. I actually enjoy it, and this is coming from somebody who constantly complains about physics in racing games. Auto Modellista was a spin on the genre, so I'm not expecting it to be similar to anything else. I do agree that there's hardly any challenge to the game. But the physics are fun and obviously car customization is as well. I really wish Capcom would come back and release a sequel, since there's been nothing like it since. It struck a balance between regular arcade racers (stuff like Ridge Racer) and "arcade" racers (Need for Speed).
I used to do this all the time in the game. This truly is a unique feature.You're gonna go the whole review without even mentioning how you can customize your damn garage? Come on, @glassjaw
What does it look like?
Exactly this. And sure, you can compare times with me.I love this game. I know it has faults, many in fact, but I just can't get over it. It's just beautiful. I mean look at it. I don't know of another racing game that looks this good, and especially one that has aged this well.
I actually really enjoy the handling model. I think it's a great compromise between realism and ease of use. Sure, it's a little slippery, and you can slide a ton without really having to worry about spinning, but sliding isn't really fast, and to go fast you really have to be precise and careful of how much slip angle you take into corners. It feels almost like a game designed for a wheel, perhaps in an arcade cabinet, than for a pad.
But few people have actually tried setting competitive times, as that's not really what the average gamer would do, so nobody really knows how this game is on the limit, and how it's actually a lot of fun when you get used to it. It's really intuitive if you're used to more realistic handling models. And it's much easier and requires much less knowledge on how cars handle than more realistic handling models.
Basically, I think competitive driving is actually what feels best and most fun in the handling model, and, since this game wasn't really aimed at competitive drivers, it ends up being misunderstood a lot and given a lot of hate, and it ends up just having the wrong handling model. It's not a bad handling model. It's just the wrong one. I think this game would have been much better received if it was released in and designed for an arcade setting, in arcade cabinets, where people might care more about getting good at the game, like they do with the Initial D arcade games. That would have been much more fitting for the handling model.
So yeah, it's a letdown in some ways, but I think it's more beautiful than letdown. Definitely worth playing.
P.S. If anyone wants to compare times my convos are open
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- 2,976
- southport
Cool game ive still got it, i remember when it came out..i was like whoa, ace..
- 417
- London
- fatkidgoblin
- fatkidgoblin
Still got a Japanese copy of this, as I had Japanese PS2 to play GT3 on as soon as possible. Loved the cel-shaded take of real life cars - thank Zelda: Wind Waker for that -as I thought it was a great alternative to GT. The body kit parts and decorating your garage with signs, badges, etc was the highlight of this game. Those aspects which were unique at the time and slightly made up for the dodgy handling and limited tracks. I contemplated getting the EU version with the extra cars included, just to customise them. To me it wasn't really a racer - I had GT for that - It was just a fun, make your own design: car and garage. Good memories.
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- 333
- New York
- Bandit_Ra_X
- 966
- Tennessee
- Bobert962C
If it wasn't for this game, I wouldn't learn about the Mitsuoka Orochi and the Jiotto Caspita's existence. In my eyes, this game was great.
- 3,802
I remember the first time I saw this back in the day thinking what a great and novel way it was to use those kind of graphics. Wonder how it would look in current gen.
- 1,971
- Seattle, WA
I still have my old PS2 and this game, one day I vow to unbox it again and play this. It was my first online racing experience with all of my old friends from the GTH forums. The lag online was laughably bad but somehow we still had a great time racing together. The handling model was adjusted from the beta which many argued that it ruined the game. The physics model went from having more grip to a racing on ice feeling. Even though the physics were not it's strong point, the graphics, customization and online racing capability made this game far ahead of it's time.
ItsHim
Premium
- 1,414
- Bavaria/Germany
The PS2 version and the GC version are two very different beasts if it comes to the handling model and included content like tracks.
The GC version is far more "unique", but if treated a bit like F-Zero at least I found heaps of enjoyment (and rage quits though it misses some tracks.
Shame the reviewer didn't state which version he's got.
I'd recommend getting the GC version.
The GC version is far more "unique", but if treated a bit like F-Zero at least I found heaps of enjoyment (and rage quits
though it misses some tracks.Shame the reviewer didn't state which version he's got.
I'd recommend getting the GC version.
- 50,835
- Australia
- SpacedustDaddy
One of favs of all time. I ha the Japanses version in PS and Game Cube as well as the English versions.
I never got to check out the car community feature. Also, the music and vocal commentary was cool. If only it had GT's physics.
Touge racing, circuit, night, mixing up parts, colouring individual parts. Especially, rearranging all the items in my garages. Supreme game.
I never got to check out the car community feature. Also, the music and vocal commentary was cool. If only it had GT's physics.
Touge racing, circuit, night, mixing up parts, colouring individual parts. Especially, rearranging all the items in my garages. Supreme game.
- 14
- Paris
- worldburns
Exactly! These are odd, the Orochi is an ugly monster in real life, but I'm really happy some passionate people were willing to put it in a video game.
- 154
I have PS2 EU & JP versions and can't recall having seen Tsukuba in the game. Could it be only GC version had it? I can't seem to find a content list for different versions.
And what about online functionality? They removed it from western PS2 edition; was it present on western GC or Xbox versions?
Why is that? I was looking for a copy of that one, should I keep my money? A track around Yoyogi park seems enticing to me.
glassjaw
Premium
- 1,472
- PA
- pioneerspine
- pioneerspine
My mistake! No Tsukuba in AM. I should have caught that while recording my capture...
The western PS2 version actually did support it through Sega's Network Application Package, which was basically a middleware for early online games. I believe the Xbox one used Xbox Live, and I'm not sure the GC one supported any online play at all.
I'd suggest you don't bother. It's like Capcom responded to AM's failure by making a game that was the total opposite -- entirely devoid of charm or anything that would make it remotely unique. And for any criticism you might give AM's physics, Group S' are undeniably worse. Even fewer tracks and cars than AM, though there is one bright spot. There's a Tokyo street circuit that replaces all the asphalt roads with dirt
- 41
- Utah
After reading the article and watching the video, I am considering getting this game. I've enjoyed Initial D and Wangan Midnight series. I'm also a fan of a few Capcom games.
- 314
- Miami, FL, CUBA
- mistamontiel00
Auto Modellista US Spec NTSC-J restored online functionality was in a brief testing phase , I was able to participate but the guy vanished ={
Dreamy game indeed
Dreamy game indeed
- 14
- Paris
- worldburns
If you want a smoother experience, emulation works pretty well, and you can tweak your controller's inputs sensibility better (let alone you have the choice of the controller).
And, it just looks gorgeous with anti-aliasing on. Here's a screenshot I just made (my car is the midnight blue R32 Skyline forcing its way against the NSX).
- 2,170
- Sydney
- Inferno_251
Nice job on this article and the Mirror Mode series. Having read the article on Auto Modellista a couple of times, I wonder if such a game could work if it were released today? (after addressing the issues and graphically updating it of course)
