the Guru 3D - review

Authors: Midas Interactive
Website: http://www.gamesarena.com/castrol2/index1.html

Testing Machine:

PII 350

128mb RAM

Asus V3800 TNT2

36x CD-ROM

Windows 98 SE

DirectX 6.x

Nvidia Detonator Drivers Ver. 2.08

Gotta love The Corkscrew

Ah wicked! I haven't seen a nice realistic bike sim in ages. I must confess, I'm biased here because I'm a huge fan of bike racing, Superbikes in particular, so you might wanna take what I say with a pinch of salt. To be start off with I was a bit annoyed. IT wouldn't let me used the steering keys I wanted to and I had to adjust to using a new set. It was okay after a few laps, but I like to be able to choose any keys/controls I want to. Once you get in, though... wow! The graphics are sharp and very detailed. The gameplay is fast and very realistic and no matter how many other bikes are around you, there is no jerkiness on-screen. I'd like to have been able to choose other bikes I suppose, but I guess with a name like Castrol Honda Superbike, it's not all that likely. Once again, bias creeps in... you get to race at Laguna Seca. This is my favourite circuit in the world of any kind. I know the circuit well and this is a perfect copy of it, right down to the heart-in-the-throat stuff when you go through the Corkscrew (an S-curve on about a 30 degree downslope).

I'm coming for ya!

I spent most of the time racing on the easy settings, just to get a feel for the game. Not much of a challenge though because all you really have to do is steer and accellerate and the computer does the braking, etc... You can't turn too much or brake too late. Fun, but the novelty wears off. After a few races I jumped up the setting and allowed myself braking forst, then gear changing. this definetly makes things more challenging and I spent more time in the gravel than on the track. Realism is good, especially with regard to other riders. A soft bump against another bike will knock you off line a bit whereas a hard knock will through you and the other guy off the bikes. Also, touching the gravel is NOT reccommended. If you're lucky, it'll only slow you down and not dump you on your arse. All in all, I love it! It's fun to play, while still realistic enough to make it challenging. I'm gonna add this to my collection ASAP.