I just got IndyCar for the PC. My version says 1.01e, and someone
on here mentioned 1.02 or higher .. so is there a patch online someplace
that I can pick up?
My first impressions of IndyCar vs F1GP is that I'm leaning towards Indy
Car Racing. I'm running on a 486DX33 and I can't use full detail settings
on IndyCar and get an acceptable frame rate (oh, and don't run EMM or
anything like that with IndyCar else it'll be *real* slow, just use
a minimal config, but you do need 4Mb min the box says). F1GP is
much smoother, but you can turn the detail right down on IndyCar and
get something very similar in feel.
Both have novice settings, so you can use auto gears and brakes, leaving
you to hammer the throttle and steer. IndyCar is visually more impressive,
with the textured effects on things look better, but they don't whizz by
quite as fast. You're set lower to the ground than in F1GP, and your engine
screams more, but the pace isn't quite there. And in IndyCar if you get
3 or 4 cars bear you things start jerking around (much as they do in say
Privateer or Wing Commander), which is not good at a simulated 230mph.
IndyCar lacks the suggested driving line option of F1GP, but it's in
options that IndyCar plays its trump cards. For starters you have finer
control of opposing car strengths (and numbers), but the real detail is
in the garage (nad pits) where everything can be altered and analysed; a
good example of that is inner/middle/outer tyre temperature on all 4 wheels.
Such attention to detail really makes IndyCar the purists' choice, and
leaves F1GP as an arcade game. You have to learn everything yourself,
but the manual is very well written and organised (except it doesn't
tell you about actual installation setup of the game itself).
If I was buying one or the other now it would be IndyCar. Maybe F1GP
plays faster, but thats debatable if you choose IndyCar with all detail
turned off. If you can live without the suggested racing line and in
race views of the other cars IndyCar has the depth to be much more of
a learning experience than just an arcade-style game. Perhaps someone
will set up a ftp site of IndyCar video replays, the quality of the
graphics makes them excellent to watch!
Tim
