The first World Racing title released by TDK focused strictly on Mercedes-Benz models, giving players the keys to decades of classic race cars, sedans, roadsters, and even SUVs. The follow-up title making its debut at E3 takes a broader approach, building on the original game engine, with 60 models from 16 manufacturers exploring the new worlds of Egypt, Hawaii, Italy, and Miami. Each location is created with a worldly approach, providing not just tracks, but thorough locations with buildings, side streets, parks, etc. fleshing out full environments. These locales allow for about 160 track configurations ensuring hours of competition. The cars themselves were largely built from manufacturer-supplied CAD designs, then programmed with physics based on 200 performance variables. The result is an authentic representation of largely rare European models, including such brands as Caterham, Lotus, Noble, Westfield, and Wiesmann. The damage model attends to such details as dirt and scratches, with a simple meter informing what the impaired systems are and the overall percentage of failure. These cars are able to be personalized through the game's Evo levels. Beyond the real-world inspired locales, there is a test center that allows for stretching the legs on these speed machines and engaging in evaluations. Think of this as visiting a manufacturer's secret test track, complete with high-speed oval. In addition to Training, players can engage Mission, Single Race, Knock Out, Way Point, and Multiplayer modes. The most distinguishing feature may be the ability to select between Arcade and Simulator game play using a slider to choose between four settings. This effectively removes the arcade versus sim debate, allowing the game to be more things to more people. With its esoteric Euro focus, the question remains whether this title will grab an American audience faced with games offering a more balanced international car stable. Still in early development when we played it, WR2 is worth watching. World Racing 2 will be available for PC, PS2, and Xbox late 2005.
