Test Drive Le Mans
by Infogrames
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Category: Video Games
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Product Summary
Platform: Sega DreamcastPublisher: Infogrames
Video Game Reviews of Test Drive Le Mans
Customer Review: did what they said couldn't be done...
Summary: 4 Stars
I remember in the manual, if I'm correct, that they said you couldn't win the race, the 24 hour race, Circuit de La Sarthe, in a GT car - anything outside of the prototypes - the Toyota GT1, BMW V12 LMR, Panoz LMP-01 etc, but, I did win in the blue/white #52 Chrysler (dodge) Viper in the wet - lapping the 2nd place Toyota GT1 on the last lap. I had won in the BMW V12 LMR with a 14 lap lead on the 2nd place Audi R8C in the dry.
I have had this game for about 3 years now, I believe, and I still go after the LMP's in slower cars, just to make the game harder.
The AI is incredible - for instance, as I was following the Toyota GT1 in a Panoz LMP-01, coming around the last turn that goes 4 lanes wide to the first straightaway (the straightaway that leads to the first chicane), we had 2 porsche's in front of us, the AI took the toyota to the right side passing, and I immediately took the left side passing, and we both came back to the center of the track, at the yellow line when it went back to 2 lanes - it was the absolute pinnacle of AI perfection I have ever seen, and my friend who was watching me race, was simply in awe because of what I just did, and the AI performed that maneuver perfectly - even the AI in the 2 porsches riding in a single line, stayed on their line until we passed.
The graphics on this game are perfect - I have not seen one flaw yet, and I've given up looking - you can see the drivers eyes, which is a nice touch.
No car damage - at all.
I'm kinda proud to say that my best lap time in the BMW V12 LMR is (and it's been a while since i've played)...I recall between 3:11 and 3:15 in the wet. It's been a while, but I do know for a fact it was under 3:17 in competition.
This game is really great, even on the smaller tracks, which totally kick my ass, and I'm generally in the top 5 in the LMP's when finishing those races - the AI has me there, very challenging, hard to catch a first place finish every time.
Each car has it's ups and downs - they are all unique. The Panoz has a nice torque curve, the Audi has great mid to upper rpm power, and great brakes, the Toyota GT1 doesn't have smooth engine power - you can feel it sort of accellerate faster than the transmission, and let it catch up - seems weird, the Jaguar and the Sauber are rockets, the Mercedes CLK-GTR is a dream, and the BMW V12 LMR is the perfect car - will not go faster than 213 mph on the straights, unless you're in a draft, so you'll never use 6th gear. The Viper GTS/R - great car, awesome torque - you can change gears without ever worrying about changing at the redline, so you can change 1/2 to 3/4 way up the rpm range, because the torque wears off very quick, so keep the rpm's low. The Porsche's have a bit of oversteer, and are a little tricky to learn.
I'm going to get back into this game as soon as I beat Resident Evil 4, and finish destroying everything in Mercenaries.
Too bad there is no part 2 in this game, to add more LMP cars, animated pit crew, damage, and yellow/red/blue flags, and audio from your pit crew. Other than this, I would not change anything at all, just add these options on, and you've got the perfect game.
-Jeff
(...)
Description of Test Drive Le Mans
Test Drive Le Mans is the official game of the internationally famous Le Mans auto race, which dates back to 1923. Players can select from among a series of Le Mans circuit tracks that wind through the Sarthe region of France, and choose from among over 40 cars that reach speeds approaching 200 mph. Also, race fans can compete in GT and prototype classes, and choose from officially licensed racing teams.Along with distinct engine sounds, the cars also exhibit realistic engine conditions, so that racers need to factor a pit strategy into their racing. Lighting effects around the tracks mimic the race's 24-hour cycle from day to night to day. Precise road conditions and collision effects allow for realistic crashes, spinouts, and flips. The Le Mans mode allows players to compete in a 24-hour race, or compress it into 10-minute, 30-minute, one-hour, or six-hour modes. Up to four players can compete simultaneously via a split screen.
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