November 1, 2006

GTR2 (**** out of four) is a racing simulation based on the FIA GT racing circuit. And simulation is putting it mildly. The realism with which the cars are depicted and the accurate handling with which they race is incredible. You’ll get to choose from 140 wonderfully reproduced GT cars such as the Ferrari 550 Manello, Lotus Elise or the Maserati MCl2. Each comes with its own distinctive handling characteristics. Take a curve too fast, too low or without proper braking and you pay the price. You’ll also choose from 34 racing tracks based on real FIA-GT tracks such as Monza or Hockenheim, a few of which you’ll be blocked from using until you’ve proved your worth as a racer.

A welcome new feature of GTR2 is the Driving School. The School is divided into four sections: 1) Theory describes what to expect in the school and provides tips for beginners and the basic knowledge you need to master racing such as acceleration, braking and cornering. 2) Trackwork gets down to the specific technical lessons – observing and practicing how each skill is executed. You’re given challenges which, if successfully met, will unlock access to custom championships. 3) FIA GT information, including rules and regulations regarding racing flags, and a look at the live racing series. 4) Assists explains the function and effects of driving aids available in the game and which ones are available at the different skill levels. These include braking, gear shifting and steering aids.

Once you’ve completed the School, you’re ready (maybe) to take on one of the five single player racing modes. These modes include Open Practice to familiarize you with a track and/or car; Time Trials, where you race against the clock to try to improve your performance; Race Weekend, where you race against the computer artificial intelligence (AI) cars in two practice, qualifying, warm-up and race events (the AI cars do make mistakes too); 24-Hour Race to test skill and stamina in six different 24-hour race events scaled for time, weather and more--all based on actual FIA-GT events; Championships, where you can race a full 2003 or 2004 FIA-GT season, if you’re good enough. You win points, and that unlock cars and tracks for you. Multiplayer is available on a LAN or over the Internet.

There are three levels of difficulty: Novice, Semi-Pro and Simulation, with the latter providing the most authentic racing experience. The simulation mode also allows you to custom tune your selected car by changing a dozen or more tweaks such as brake bias, camber, suspension, wings and more for the performance suited to your driving style.

The program offers a great driving/racing experience and we found it a thrill to play, ooops, drive. The realistic display shows reflections in the mirrors, appropriate driver motions, see-thru windows showing the background and high energy music mixed with racetrack sounds--all adding to the excitement. Highly recommended, but be sure to check the system requirements. This program is not for the faint-hearted computer.

Musical Adventures for Children (***)

A three-disc set of Musical Adventure programs offers children an introduction to classical music by highlighting the lives and music of three famous composers. Tchaikovsky’s Musical Adventures, Mozart’s Musical Adventures and Vivaldi’s Musical Adventures each offer a brief biography of the named composer and a selection of games and puzzles that introduce the music of that composer and many of the musical instruments used to play their music. Children can choose to hear selections of music, read or hear about each composer or play the games or solve puzzles based on the music of the composer.

The games and puzzles include musical riddles, memory games and games where children match the instruments of the orchestra to the musical instruments displayed on the screen. In the latter game, children listen to well-known music by the composer and then select each of the instruments playing a part of the music; once they’ve selected all the correct instruments, children hear the music played by all the instruments together. Each of the instruments is "played" by a colorful animal character – but the portrayal of the musical instrument is accurate.

In some of the puzzles, children match the music played when they move the cursor over each of three birds on the ground to the music played when they move the cursor over birds in a tree. Once they complete one level, they can move on to another level and hear and match different selections by the composer.

Colorful, clever animals and other characters introduce each section and play the music in many of the games and puzzles. Although the music is playing continually and offers a nice introduction to the music of the composer, the music that is playing throughout the game or puzzle is not identified. There is, however, one game that does offer children the option to choose named selections of music by each composer.

The games and puzzles are fun, the animals add appeal, and children are likely to enjoy this fun introduction to classical music.

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