With car-packed tracks and plenty of championships to win,
TOCA Race Driver is a welcome conversion of the PS2, boasting several enhancements on its way to the grid.
Among the initiatives introduced as part of this enhanced edition is support for up to 5.1 surround sound. Now most PC owners won't have this luxury at their disposal just yet, but those who do really are in for something special. Cars really do sound as if they are roaring around the room, and it adds a surprising amount to the experience of the playing the game.
The meat and drink of it though hasn't altered too much since the game's PS2 debut. Sure, the graphics are much improved, and there are a few more options at your disposal, but the crux of it is still a story-driven racing spectacular. The plot follows Ryan McKane on his quest for championship glory, and while it's surprising for a game of this genre to include a storyline, it does work really quite well. Various cut scenes push the action along, and its nice that these segments add to the game rather than get in the way of it.
The main focus is still the racing, though, and that's as aggressive and challenging as always. The tracks can get very packed with cars, and when the pressure is on, it's adrenaline-pumping stuff. Few games get over the frenetic nature of the sport as TOCA Race Driver so effortlessly manages here.
With a friendly, if challenging learning curve, and a good, solid, long lasting challenge on offer, this is a game with numerous reasons to recommend it to the seasoned racing game fan and novice alike. Well worth the money. --Simon Brew