The promotional blurb for Codemasters' latest racing game, TOCA Race Driver 2, makes an awful lot out of the in-game cinematics, the wealth of game options and the fancy new damage engine. However, what is also crucial to the game's success is this: TOCA Race Driver 2 plays like a dream. It follows the narrative-based approach of its predecessor, as you become a genuine character in the game. That takes you from the early races where you attempt to make your name, through to the big championships where you then have to prove it. There are plenty of championships to take on, too, and as with the wide selection of vehicles waiting to be driven, these are gradually unlocked as you make progress.

Even in single-player mode, though, the races are genuinely immersive and wildly entertaining. Sure, the game punishes your mistakes, but that's as it should be, and it rarely leaves you at the point where you don't want to have another go after a winning position has gone horrendously wrong. Fortunately, the AI of the computer-controlled cars is pretty much spot on too--they make mistakes, they adopt different driving styles, and only on occasions betray their non-human status. Online, the game is even better. Twelve players at a time can compete and it's here where the TOCA Race Driver 2 is at its most exhilarating.

And then there are the production values. From the stunningly realised cars and courses, through to the tightly woven voiceovers and gloriously cinema-like action replays, it barely puts a foot wrong. Not only then is the game a joy to play, it's also a joy to look at. The only minor niggle is that those who bought the previous game may have wanted a little bit more from the sequel, but that's not likely to stop them enjoying it. TOCA Race Driver 2 is an action-packed, compulsive and long-lasting racing game that's very unlikely to disappoint. --Simon Brew

Most of the time, this game is great. Fantastic graphics and handling and loads of cars on the track at once. It's also got an interesting story, which I like. What I don't like is the occational time when you're forced to race something which is so awful you're convinced you'll never progress beyond it. The fact that you eventually do doesn't excuse the fact that the car may handle terribly and slide off the track for no apparent reason. However, when it's good, its very good, so 4 stars.

Yet another game wich is destined to thrown out of the window.

Why? well the graphics are pretty good it's just the handling of some of the cars is dire in particular the rally cars. Try going over a jump at anything other than walking pace and the car seems to take on the handling of a hovercraft. Throttle control with the rally cars is also a problem with it either being on or off and no gradual increase.

Other vehicles (like the ford gt 90 and the trucks)seem to suffer with poor handling. At the moment I've spent nearly a week trying to win a race with the ford gt90 but you cannot go as fast as the a.i. cars as you end up going straight on at the corners.

As already mentioned there should be more choice the button set up on the control pad.

So toca3 is on the way, question is will I buy it? the answer is yes but secondhand.

This game is so easy to get into. It has a story line of you and two other people trying to get money and trying to get you into the shark racing. It gets harder as you go through the game making sure you get glued to it. Lots of different cars and once you have won a championship in a spacific car you can race them in free race. when you get close to the end of the game you end up with a whole list of cars you can race. The best thing about this game is the graphics. Many other reviews say the graphics are rubbish but the graphics on the cars are very good, they look very realistic. The bad thing about this game is how much the cars swerve around. You have to get the revs perfect and make sure you get the biting piont spot on to move the car. All in all great game very long.

I was disappointed with this game, it wasn't what the box said it was "The Ultimate Racing Simulator". This is just too arcade game like, you can tune your car but there are no visuals of the car whilst your doing it, so you're kind of doing it blind. The cras themselves are fairly well produced, although the graphics aren't the best that I've seen. As one reviewer has said it is simply just 15 or so driving games in one box. You can just about use 3 cars per championship on others there is only one. The game itself is quite well done but there is something lacking and it just makes the entire game suffer. Your manager who constantly gives you "advice" whilst you're driving can become very annoying and put you off.
I really hope that this isn't the Ultimate Driving Simulator because if it is then other driving games must be terrible. This game is not better than Project Gotham Racing 2.

The game puts you as an aspiring young driver trying to be a top racer by competing in different race series.
The graphics and sound are fantastic. The cars are extremely well detailed even down to the decals.
The game is very easy to get into. The cars handle very easily although there are noticeable differences between some race series, not all of them and not very realistic. And although there is damage its very forgiving. You have to really smash a car up to notice anything, most of the time its just cosmetic with some changes in sound. And I would have liked more rumble effect from the controller as well.
And although the game features a high number of cars and race circuits its only restricted to just its own race series, so you only have one or two cars from a few tracks to choose. I would have liked the option to race any car on any circuit.
So in the end its just several very easy mini-racing games stuck in one box.