Worst Track

[Parnelli Bone]

Never. And GT2 I've played for about 3 minutes. I got my ass kicked by a bunch of Demios at Tahiti, even though I was driving an FC RX-7. There's just no way I can deal with the graphics and the touch-tone throttle/brake.

Actually that first race at Tahiti has a bunch of kei cars, I don't think the Demio makes an appearance in the Sunday Cup at all!! And those graphics bothered me too for a few minutes. Then after I realized all the cars I was about to drive over the next few months boy did I grin!

Can you see where you're going in the 'proper' one? Did they refrain from spreading used fryer oil all over the paving in the original? Then I might like it.

Duke there's no frying pan oil in GT3's version! I said this before...you just have some sort of mental block.

...It's about going slow...speeding up and braking appropriately.,..turn in...tap your steering so you're not giving too much and hitting the inside apex...dip into the gas in a progression rather than nailing it...

 

[Duke]

I know all about early braking and throttle control. But for me, every turn at SSR11 has one of two modes: ridiculously early apex, or no apex at all as I plow past. Both result in a trip to the outside wall about 2/3 of the way through the turn. There's absolutely no way I can carry the speed that the AI does, or even brake anything like as late as they do.

 

[SportWagon]

While GT1 and GT2 graphics do look less sophisticated and detailed, I find that the detail horizon actually appears to be a little deeper. GT3 and GT4 look so pretty and detailed in the foreground, and yet there seems to be a middleground when details should start being visible, but, actually they're not visible until a bit later than that.

In the original GT1 SSR11, the first barrier creating the central two-way chicane does pop-up a little bit. But you learn to watch for it. Similarly for the crash wall for the final quick-esse chicane, which comes at the end of a relatively long, fast straight. Apart from that, you see what you should see, obscured only by what's actually in your way. (And there is this funny part nearing the middle where you appear to go into a tunnel, but can then see the dusky sky above you). One or two parts seem like each other, but, in general the different parts of the track have a lot more distinctive character than in the GT3 version, so there is less tendency to get lost.

Fans were happy SSR11 was returning in GT3, but were very disappointed in its implementation.

I've nothing to add about the cooking oil.

 

[Parnelli Bone]

I know all about early braking and throttle control. But for me, every turn at SSR11 has one of two modes: ridiculously early apex, or no apex at all as I plow past. Both result in a trip to the outside wall about 2/3 of the way through the turn. There's absolutely no way I can carry the speed that the AI does, or even brake anything like as late as they do.

See you got a mental block! That's all! Everything you just stated can be done...the Ai doesn't know how to drive this course to 100% capacity like they should in any GT3 event that features Route 11. They constantly hit walls (especially as they brake into 3 or 4 particular corners), exit corners with too much gas (and hit walls). Generally they don't know what the 🤬 they're doing, even in some of the more advanced racing machines with downforce and sophistication you'll still see them banging away! Learn to drive this course with a bit of patience that doesn't include any wall-attacks and you can generally pick up to an entire second.

...you just have a mental block. It's the same reason I've completed GT2 and GT3 yet can't seem to get past the Hard Tuned Series in GT1! Mental block!

 

[SportWagon]

I seem to remember the Vitz race at SSR11 in GT3 was really quite a lot of fun.

 

[Parnelli Bone]

Yeah, the Vitz race is run in the reverse direction, too!

 

[KAMKA-Z]

I really did like the Clio race at SSR11. (and the Clio so loves to switch ends) I didn't win that race in the series but went on to run it again as soon as I was done. Easy on that throttle boy.

 

[afc2112]

I no longer have my GT3 since I traded it in for GT4 (still have a pristine copy of GT2 though!!!). Anyways, was there really no Tsukuba in 3? In that case, I'd have to say Tsukuba & Test Course are the most boring tracks out of the whole GT series!

Other than that, I very much enjoyed the tracks in GT3. I thought Rome was great. I remember the hard braking zone into the 90 degree right hander. That was satisfying to get it right lap after lap.

SS11 was a lot of fun too! The only part that gave me any real difficulties was the tunnel section. Anyways, I have great memories watching the ai controlled cars constantly hitting the walls in the chicanes!!!

 

[Duke]

I actually prefer the reverse version of R11. The only time I've truly had a good time driving that course was an OLR with the Lotus Esprit on SSR11 reverse. The Vitz race was not bad, but I won on pit strategy, and winning on pit strategy alone is always a bit dull.

 

[Pupik]

There's just no way I can deal with the graphics and the touch-tone throttle/brake.

I was wondering why you'd never popped up in the GT2 forum by now. Feathering the throttle works for me out of hairpins, but otherwise, the "touchtone" throttle and brake are easy enough to deal with after a few races (or in a few B license tests).

Graphical quality is no comparison, but after 15 minutes, you really forget about it, even though GT2 is littered with "pop-up polygons". It's just a game, I felt, and compared to the PSX racing games of the time, still had stunning graphics compared to anything else I'd played (except GT, but I'd discovered them backwards).

Oh, and no SSR11 in GT2. Fine by me.

I'm just glad I didn't have to actually race other cars at Complex String in GT3. Too geometric and soul-less for my tastes, except for the high-speed esses. Since it's not one of the choices, I'll just stick with choosing Cote de Azur as my least favorite. Even though I'm fully aware of its history and significance, and I congratulate Polyphony for doing a magnificent job of rendering Monte Carlo, the 3-minute lap times, extended stays in 1st and 2nd gears (thus, rarely getting above 40 mph) aren't all that exciting. I could do that in real life, although I'd get in a bit more trouble.

 

[Parnelli Bone]

I no longer have my GT3 since I traded it in for GT4 (still have a pristine copy of GT2 though!!!). Anyways, was there really no Tsukuba in 3?

No, Tsukuba is not in GT3....only the 4th game.

I was wondering why you'd never popped up in the GT2 forum by now. Feathering the throttle works for me out of hairpins, but otherwise, the "touchtone" throttle and brake are easy enough to deal with after a few races (or in a few B license tests).

We can also go into the options menu and switch our controller around so it's full-analog, even in GT2. 💡

 

[Pupik]

We can also go into the options menu and switch our controller around so it's full-analog, even in GT2. 💡

...but not completely adjustable. You're either accelerating, or you're braking. I like taking my thumb off the switch, and jumping the square button. But, yea, it works on a PS2 w/said controllers.

I never bothered getting a Dual Shock for the PSX.

 

[SportWagon]

You mean that you can't heel-and-toe.

See also...
Special stage route 11 = 90 degree hell

 

[cheeseman0777]

COTE 'd Azur, it freakin sucks. so many turns not enough space. omg make it better. i do like the super speedway tho.

 

[Parnelli Bone]

...but not completely adjustable. You're either accelerating, or you're braking. I like taking my thumb off the switch, and jumping the square button. But, yea, it works on a PS2 w/said controllers.

I never bothered getting a Dual Shock for the PSX.

You gotta have a dual-shock to make it work. Variable acceleration & braking can be had with full analog on PS2 but also on PS1. I'm suggesting Duke try this if he ever "goes back".

 

[Nokiafan07]

Cote de azur Is the one I hate the most. To many sudden turns and to many turns with no warning ahead of time and I'm bouncing all over the place with the escudo. It's better with the F1 car but I can never catch up to even the last place guy.

 

[Duke]

Cote de azur Is the one I hate the most. To many sudden turns and to many turns with no warning ahead of time and I'm bouncing all over the place with the escudo. It's better with the F1 car but I can never catch up to even the last place guy.

1) The Escudo is going to be the proverbial bull in a china shop at Monaco, and should never be allowed anywhere near Cote d'Azur, except as an amusing experiment to occupy you after you have all golds on the license tests and 100% completion in the bag.

2) You just need to practice driving and learn the track. Take something moderately powered, with good handling, like an Elise, and run practice laps until you can do it cleanly with no wall bangs. I guarantee you that your problem is that you are not braking early enough. You'll be amazed at how much the track seems to widen out if you are not divebombing past the turn-in points, particularly in the bottom half of the course.

I won the 78-lap FGT race at Monaco in the F094/H by 41 seconds. Other than the AI F094/S, no other car was on the lead lap. Until starting the FGT series I had never driven any of the F1 cars at all. I'm not saying this because I'm particularly fast - because I'm NOT particularly fast. But if you can't catch the other F1 cars, it's simply because you haven't learned the track well enough.

 

[Nokiafan07]

1) The Escudo is going to be the proverbial bull in a china shop at Monaco, and should never be allowed anywhere near Cote d'Azur, except as an amusing experiment to occupy you after you have all golds on the license tests and 100% completion in the bag.

2) You just need to practice driving and learn the track. Take something moderately powered, with good handling, like an Elise, and run practice laps until you can do it cleanly with no wall bangs. I guarantee you that your problem is that you are not braking early enough. You'll be amazed at how much the track seems to widen out if you are not dive bombing past the turn-in points, particularly in the bottom half of the course.

I won the 78-lap FGT race at Monaco in the F094/H by 41 seconds. Other than the AI F094/S, no other car was on the lead lap. Until starting the FGT series I had never driven any of the F1 cars at all. I'm not saying this because I'm particularly fast - because I'm NOT particularly fast. But if you can't catch the other F1 cars, it's simply because you haven't learned the track well enough.

That track is to much for me right now. I'm still learning the game. I'm getting better @ midfield. That's my practice track. I go to run and settings and I play around with stuff still I can get the car I'm to go around the track good. I was able to get around it on a porsche. So I'm getting better, however you are right. I do need to get better. Either way I still hate that track!lol I had first tried the F1 car and it handled so much better then cheat machine. Even with the settings changed it just simply doesnt turn sharp enough and it banging all over the place.

 

[Duke]

If you're "still learning the game", put away the Formula 1 cars and the Escudo right now. All you're doing with cars like that is learning that power will overcome bad driving, and that downforce will fix anything that power can't.

You need to be good at walking before you run. No settings can ever fix an F1 car that is being overdriven on a tight course. DO NOT run the F1 cars against anything other than the FGT series, and don't worry about that until much later in the game. I ran everything else in the game before I started the FGT - it was all I needed to do for 100% completion.

You need to learn how to be fast in a slow car first. That will let you be really fast in a fast car. otherwise, you'll be doing just what you are now: banging your head against the wall.

 

[Nokiafan07]

If you're "still learning the game", put away the Formula 1 cars and the Escudo right now. All you're doing with cars like that is learning that power will overcome bad driving, and that downforce will fix anything that power can't.

You need to be good at walking before you run. No settings can ever fix an F1 car that is being overdriven on a tight course. DO NOT run the F1 cars against anything other than the FGT series, and don't worry about that until much later in the game. I ran everything else in the game before I started the FGT - it was all I needed to do for 100% completion.

You need to learn how to be fast in a slow car first. That will let you be really fast in a fast car. otherwise, you'll be doing just what you are now: banging your head against the wall.

power ? It goes somewhat fast yes. That's not why I use it. My ruf can go faster then it can and I used both on the midfield track...I use the f1 for it's handling. I can throw it around the corners. It's pretty crazy how good it is on the corners. That and it's got some powerful brakes. I

 

[Duke]

power ? It goes somewhat fast yes. That's not why I use it. My ruf can go faster then it can and I used both on the midfield track...I use the f1 for it's handling. I can throw it around the corners. It's pretty crazy how good it is on the corners. That and it's got some powerful brakes. I

...which is why I said THIS:

...downforce will fix anything that power can't.

Do as you see fit. But I'm telling you, the reason that you're hating Monaco and banging into walls everywhere and can't keep up with the other F1 cars is that you've been relying on the exceptional capabilities of these cars to cover up your lack of driving skill. Since this is a series where you can't upgrade your car, it's a series where you can't bolt on more stuff in order to win. You have to be able to outdrive the AI. If you cannot keep up with them, then you are driving incorrectly. I can say this with some confidence because I soundly beat the FGT at Monaco and I'm not very fast. I regularly get beaten heavily in OLR competition. I'm a consistent, workmanlike driver who can get the job done cleanly, definitely NOT a superquick competitor in GT circles.

I'm not saying you can't learn how to drive. I'm saying you haven't practiced enough. That's not a crime, and you can fix it by just driving more in cars that teach you to be good instead of making it easy to stay bad.

 

[Nokiafan07]

I wasnt racing with F1's. I took the cheat machine on the test track up agaist the f1's.. I almost feel asleep. That many laps on that track is boring..The fasest f1 car I think was 230-240 when I tried to pace there speed when I got really bored. I'm trying right now to get good enough so I can do a endurance to get a F686/M.

 

[Duke]

I wasnt racing with F1's. I took the cheat machine on the test track up agaist the f1's.

What the hell? Then why did you say THIS:

Cote de azur Is the one I hate the most. To many sudden turns and to many turns with no warning ahead of time and I'm bouncing all over the place with the escudo. It's better with the F1 car but I can never catch up to even the last place guy.

I give up.

 

[SportWagon]

I've always liked "Cote d'Azur" in driving games. Because about thirty years ago I made a smaller-than-scale replica from HO slot car track--complete with the elevation changes. I get a bit confused around the swimming pool ("what's this doing here?"), but apart from that the same memory helps a lot. I guess it's a track where studying the course diagram might help a lot, so that things are less unexpected.

E.g. wikipedia has diagrams and a description ("pace notes"?)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circuit_de_Monaco

 

[Parnelli Bone]

I've always liked "Cote d'Azur" in driving games. Because about thirty years ago I made a smaller-than-scale replica from HO slot car track--complete with the elevation changes. I get a bit confused around the swimming pool ("what's this doing here?"), but apart from that the same memory helps a lot. I guess it's a track where studying the course diagram might help a lot, so that things are less unexpected.

E.g. wikipedia has diagrams and a description ("pace notes"?)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circuit_de_Monaco

Aurora/AFX or Tyco?

I wasnt racing with F1's. I took the cheat machine on the test track up agaist the f1's.. I almost feel asleep. That many laps on that track is boring..The fasest f1 car I think was 230-240 when I tried to pace there speed when I got really bored. I'm trying right now to get good enough so I can do a endurance to get a F686/M.

I agree with you there. I hated alll the damn Test Course races 👎 (I've already said that several times in this thread I think.) I skipped several of them (like the Pitz race) even if it meant messing up my win ratio.

And keep practicing; you'll get it. I started with a PS1 game called Ford Racing (you've probably seen it in your local bargain bin). Moved on to GT1 for about 4 months...moved to GT2 for a couple years, and finally started GT3 in fall of 2005. What I'm tryin to say is by the time I started GT3 I already had several years of practice! But don't fret, it shouldn't take you this long.

My suggestion would be to take a slower car to Cote. It can be your favorite...or just something you feel comfortable with. Drive there for 15 minutes to a half hour in this car. Now take a faster car. Drive that around for a few minutes...notice how different the 2 machines are; notice how your braking distances are different...your turn-in angles into corners will be different...etc.

NOW try the F1! No, you won't be Senna material...that's not the point. The point is you should have a better idea how to take on Cote than you did an hour ago. See? 💡 Cote of course has lots of braking and lots of areas where you need to "feather" the throttle rather than just lay on it (and bang walls) see what I'm saying? It's about finesse...not horses. You should rarely be giving full throttle at this course...In fact in a really fast car there are just a few seconds of "full-on" during Cote--mostly you'll be giving partial gas before you gotta brake and/or steer.

 

[SportWagon]

Aurora/AFX or Tyco?

O/T: Both (or I should say "all three"). Mostly Tyco track, but even that was a combo sometimes.

 

[Parnelli Bone]

O/T: Both (or I should say "all three"). Mostly Tyco track, but even that was a combo sometimes.

Cool. I had an AFX track and mostly AFX and Aurora cars, but I had 3 or 4 Tycos because some kid gave them to me. I wanna sell them all at some point.

 

[Bulldozer]

Well, for me it was a close call between the Test Course and R11 - which is kind of funny since they're almost opposites.

R11 really just gave me a headache when I had a car that I couldn't control very well - like an 300ZX with stage 4 turbo ( ) or a Falcon XR8 before I got help with the settings. But with a good maneuverable car, like an Elise for instance, and it's much better.

So I voted for the Test Course cause it's just dull. Though I've read a couple race reports where the only way the player could keep up was by drafting. That sounds challenging and could make even a Test Course race interesting.

 

[Parnelli Bone]

So I voted for the Test Course cause it's just dull. Though I've read a couple race reports where the only way the player could keep up was by drafting. That sounds challenging and could make even a Test Course race interesting.

What up BD? Yea drafting at the Test Track is interesting till the leader takes a pit stop or PD didn't program the Ai car's transmission tall enough! Then all a sudden you're doing lap after lap way ahead of your competition! Like the Wind should be called WTF???

 

[Skid Mark 33]

For me it's a pretty easy decision. The Test Course is the worst because it is so boring, ecspecially for someone with my driving skills. It's always just full throttle, turn left-full throttle, turn left. It's so boring. Mind you, although I am a very good driver on R11, I find it very annoying. This is because I dont get to go flat out through many coners since you cant, which I love doing so it annoys me. I love the High Speed ring though, since it has loads of High speed coners but they dont all go left, like the boring thing we all call the Test Course.