Test Drive: Ferrari Legends

Nice! I had no idea this was even in development. What platform are you reviewing? PC or console?

I might just have to finally break down and get a wheel controller.

Depending on your review, of course.

 

How are the driving physics in this game? Is it a simulation or arcade?

I will buy it if it has driving mechanics like GT5 or Forza.

 

Looking forward to your write up.
How's the handling?

 

You need to visit the video games section more. We have been following it since Sept 2011.

It's already been delayed 3-4times now. It's good to see 1986245 has a review copy, it means the July release date will probably happen

 

How are the graphics? For some reason marque specific games always tend to have horrible graphics imo.

 

If you don't mind me asking, how did you get a review copy?

 

Ah, ok, just saw your name in the profile.

 

Sounds good

 

Matt,

I'm planning to purchase the game for the historic versions of several circuits (like Old Hockenheim), but obviously game play can really help cement the decision. In some of the videos, it seems like the cars are a bit "tail happy". Can you give me your perspective on car physics coming into and out of corners? Can you stick a corner at good speed without spinning off of the course?

I also love the addition of historic F1 cars, like the 126 C2...

 

Does the driving cockpit POV feel as awkward as it seems to appear on videos? I mean, you sit way to high, and the whole cockpit is so compromised makes me wonder if I'll feel like an elephant driving the game compared to real life (just drove an FF today after watching an FF video from the game yesterday).

 

I'm looking forward to picking up a copy of this game

 

I have a copy. It's pretty darned good. Not as many features as Forza, but great looking, great sounds and drives fantastically. The AI is pretty tough though

 

May I ask, what games/simulators do you have experience with to compare it to with when saying that it "drives fantastically"? As far as I understand, most of the physics hail from the Shift-series, and those remind me more of driving a boat than a car...

I'm probably going to get the game anyway, but I'd like to know what to expect coming from GT5, GTR2 & rFactor (no comparison). It seems to me much more of an arcade than a sim, but let's hope it's a milestone improvement from the last F-game. That was, after all, probably one of the worst driving games ever aimed outside the mainstream market.

I'm happy to hear the sound is on par! That's what GT5 is missing, proper sound...

 

Strictly console games. I've had them all on PS3 and xbox, but limit comparisons to GT5 and Forza. The sense of speed is better (imo) on this game and there is not as much steering input required to move in a straight line. You can also work your way through a curve effectively while feathering the brakes/throttle, even in traffic. You MUST get the braking and acceleration mixes right or the AI will jump all over you though. While my expectations for driving physics in this game were low, I think the developers did a good job. It's not the tail-happy, truncated turning frustration I envisioned at all. You can drive in close quarters much more effectively than in other games (I hate crashing into/being crashed into in video games...I want the car undamaged en route to a win without needing a "rewind button"). However, different cars handle MUCH differently. You can throw a 125 around with ease, but do the same with a 250 California and you're toast. The F1-87 takes corners flat out with ease...unless you lift mid-corner. The driving is more challenging with better AI though.

The sounds...it's not just that they got the engine notes right, but you get some of the other "noises" a car makes...brake squeal, shift linkage, deceleration exhaust, suspension, etc. there is no music during races, so that data space went to car ambient sounds

There is NO comparison to that last crap game. Did I even mention the graphics? I did a side-by-side with Forza at Silverstone with a Testarossa...no comparison. TD looks much better and the car feels much faster. It's a pure racing game without the whipped cream (photo mode, music, customization, dealerships, auction house, car wash, etc) and for me it makes it all the better.

 

Thank you for the descriptions it helped to get me to order it off Amazon

I have a couple questions.

I watched a video on youtube and it showed the cockpit view ( my preferred view ) and the HUD was very busy especially with a rear view mirror stuck in the middle top of the screen. I'd much rather use the mirror on the car. Is there an option to turn off some of the HUD like the mirror or all of it? I'd like the ability to just enjoy the natural view and drive by the sounds.

I'm looking forward to driving on some different tracks than the ones I'm stuck with in Forza 4 but I still have my favorites. Do they have some American tracks like Sebring, Daytona and Laguna Seca or is it strictly European?

 

You can turn the HUD and rearview mirrors off. I drive cockpit alos, but the hood version so that rearview is VERY useful for me.

The only U.S. track included is Road America. They have historical-to-present versions of the European tracks though. It's really cool

 

That is really good to hear!

Dang it! I never get to drive the Daytona road course.

 

Have you tried the f355 yet? I'm looking forward to this just so I can drive my car in-game. I've gotten the 355 (challenge) in Race07 along with my local track, VIR, but it's somewhat dated compared to iRacing/GT5 etc.

Also, do I have to play around for hours to build up money or whatever to get the cars I want or can I just go drive them? That's one of my biggest issues with these 'games' in that I don't want to spend 12 hours driving around whatever car they give me to get to the cars I want to drive...

I'm going to buy it regardless, anything with the '67 312F1 is worth it to me.

 

No money/dealerships involved, but you have to unlock cars through career progression. You get a nice mix of cars up front,but not the 355.

 

Is there a free drive mode similar to that in Forza?