Grand Prix 2

Released: August 1996
Published by: Spectrum Holobyte/MicroProse
Developed by: MicroProse Software
Author(s): Geoff Crammond, Peter Austin, Andy Cook, Drew Northcott, Martin Severn, Greg Shill, Pete Cooke, Norman Surplus, David Surplus, John Broomhall, Andrew Parton

 

System Requirements

System Requirements	System: Intel 80486DX2 CPU (Pentium 90 recommended), 8 MB RAM, 2x CD-ROM drive, DOS 5.0 or higher, 15 MB free hard disk space Graphics support: VGA or VESA-compatible SVGA Audio support: Sound Blaster/Pro/16/AWE32, ESS Audiodrive, Gravis Ultrasound/Max, Microsoft Sound System, Pro Audio Spectrum, Ensoniq Soundscape, Covox Sound Master II Other: Keyboard, Mouse, Analogue Joystick, Steering Wheel
Original Media	One CD-ROM
Installed Size	9 MB (minimum install), 46 MB (standard install), 58 MB (optimal install)

Introduction

The sequel to Formula One Grand Prix (World Ciruit in the US) didn't arrive until four years later. Grand Prix 2 took what was great about the original and made it even better.

 

Unlike F1GP, GP2 had the full line-up of cars, engines, drivers and circuits from the 1994 season, thanks to a licence from Fuji Television. The game now had full texture mapping and light sourcing, which coupled with the higher screen resolution of 640 x 480, really added to the visual appeal. Similar realism was also present, such as car setup options for springs, dampers, wing downforce, gear ratios, brake balance and ride height.

GP2 also had further enhancements to the physics model - pushing too hard on the throttle when coming out of a low-speed corner would result in a 180-degree spin. If you lock up the brakes, clouds of smoke can be seen in the rear mirrors and the car begins to slide in the direction you are facing. You won't be able to control the car until you release the brakes. Also, hit the curbs too hard at high speeds and your car becomes airborne!

For those familiar with F1GP, the menu system was retained, but with more options added, such as the new race analysis section, realism settings, graphical details/texturing, etc. and is now mouse controlled (which I would argue is actually required, as some parts of the menu cannot be accessed using just the keyboard, e.g. Advanced controller setup to change keys or joystick axis).

You can opt for a 'quick race' which gets you straight into the cockpit before the race, or choose to race the championship season in full. GP2 has 26 cars on the grid, of which you can either play as one, or play with friends on the same computer (just as you could in F1GP) - this works really well, especially if you choose the full race length, and has the computer take over control of your car as you switch places with a friend who then race their own competing car.

The damage model is decent. You visually see car parts flying loose, cars flying through the air, engine blowups and cars catching fire, to name a few. If your car is damaged, some things can be repaired in the pits (front and rear wings and flat tires) but more critical failures will potentially see you out of the race.

With five levels of difficulty (from 'Rookie' up to 'Ace'), the game was very accessible for beginners but also for more experienced racers to push for constant improvement. The number of options is, frankly, eye-watering, including car component reliability.

When it launched, most PC owners didn't have sufficient hardware to play the game at high frame rates. MicroProse considered this and included an variety of ways to get the game to run optimally:

- Reduce the resolution to 320 x 200.
- A detail level adjustment option (as they had in many of their other games) which could be changed at any time while driving using ALT-D. There are four levels of detail: All, Medium, Low, and None.
- Enable/disable which graphics would be textured or not.

 

Enthuasiasts have continued to create mods for GP2, including new tracks, custom liveries for the cars, helments, and drivers, and editors to customise just about everything in the game (including the AI driver capabilities). See further down for some of these, including entire actual F1 season configurations for a number of years. Many mods can be installed using the GP2Edit utility by Steven Young. The website https://www.grandprix2.de is still the place to go for all things GP2 these days.

 

From where can it be run?

The game must be installed to a hard disk. Insert the game CD and run INSTALL to begin the installation procedure. By default the game will be installed to a subdirectory called GP2 off the root directory of the hard disk.

If the program is unable to find all the RAM it requires, it will try to create a buffer file on your hard drive (called f1temp.tmp). This file has a maximum size of 4,608,000 bytes and if your hard drive has less than this amount free, you may find a small performance degradation or loss of the Performance Analysis feature.

GP2 can be run either in pure DOS or from within Windows 95/98. The game was not designed to run in Windows NT, 2000 or XP, and can have issues running on these operating systems.

 

Copy Protection

GP2 has CD copy protection. The game checks for the presence of the original game CD in your drive as it loads. If, for some reason, the game reports 'CD not found/MSCDEX not loaded', and you know it is, use the cd:<drive letter> command-line argument to tell the main executable which drive letter your CD-ROM is.

There is a 'no CD' patch you can apply which updates the GP2.EXE file to not look for the CD as it starts and also to look in your game directory for tracks (none of GP2's installation options copy the 'CIRCUITS' subdirectory that contains the tracks to your hard disk).

GP2 is somewhat unique in that even the SETUP.EXE program will hang to a black screen if the CD-ROM is not detected. Most 'no CD' patches also provide a pre-patched version of SETUP.EXE that does not look for the CD.

 

How to Setup

GP2 makes use of the DOS/4GW DOS extender to access extended memory. As such, no Expanded Memory (EMS) driver such as EMM386.EXE is required.

The Setup utility is run after the game has finished installing, or can be run afterwards by running SETUP.EXE from the game directory.

1) Setup main menu:

2) Readme:

3) Set up Sound Card (use the arrow keys and tab to navigate):

If you choose 'Auto detect' you will be presented with a box showing what it found:

4) Once you have hit <Enter> after specifying your sound card options, the Sound Test box will appear (note that you won't hear any sound until you hit <Enter> to dismiss the box). This is then followed by a ~4 second audio test of a car driving away:

5) Once you hit <Enter>, you will see a confirmation of your choices:

You are then returned to the setup menu. Hit OK to save and exit.

The sound configuration is stored in a file in the game's 'sound' subdirectory, called 'sound.cfg' - it is not text-readable/editable.

Start the game by running GP2.EXE.

Note that the main game's executable file, GP2.EXE has a lot of command-line options if you wish to use them. You can view these by running GP2 /?

 

Playing 2-Player via Modem or Null Modem Cable

As wth the original F1GP, GP2 provided the option to play with another person over modem or direct cable connection was added. The game does *not* support playing over a network.

1) Under the Options menu, choose "Link Up Menu".

2) At the top of the screen, select the baud rate (must be the same on both machines).
3) Choose "Direct" if using a null-modem cable connected to both PCs serial ports, or "Modem" if you are playing over a modem.
4) Select "Lead" on one of the PCs, and "Follow" on the other PC. With a modem link, the one doing the dialling will always be "Lead", and the receiver of the communication is "Follow".

Note that if you have a modified GP2.EXE file, both PCs must be running the same identical file.

 

Problems

Symptom: The game hangs with a black screen when I run GP2.EXE or SETUP.EXE.
Cause: Your sound card configuration may be incorrect.
Resolution: Go into the 'sound' subdirectory and delete the file called 'sound.cfg'. Then try running SETUP.EXE and initially try setting your audio to 'no sound'. If the game then runs you know the problem is your sound setup. Go back into Setup and choose the 'Auto detect' option, or manually select your sound card, port address, IRQ and DMA that matches what you have.

 

Keys

Car Controls A           Accelerate Z           Brake <           Steer Left >           Steer Right Change Up           A + Space Change Down      Space In The Pits A           Accelerated Time Z            Pits Menu < >        Tyre Choice P           Pause Space   Start Qualifying/Race Session Driving Aids F1         Auto brakes                 F5          Ideal line F2         Auto gears                  F6          Suggested gear F3         Self-correcting spin     F7          Throttle help F4         Indestructable

Other Keys While Driving Enter     Signal to Pits/Cancel Signal to Pits Q           Return to Pits (Qualifying/Practice) N           Display name of driver ALT-D    Detail level adjust (1-4) R           Replay (must be paused first) G           Show Gap between cars T           Toggle track/scenery textures ESC      Exits to practice/qualifying/race frozen menu + / -      Cycle through sound options O          Processor Occupancy (<100 means more fps is possible, >100 means fps not optimal. 100 is ideal) Views Left Arrow - Trackside Camera Right Arrow - Return to Cockpit Up Arrow - Move Camera to Car Ahead Down Arrow - Move Camera to Car Behind Home - Return to cockpit of your own car Pg Up - Cycles through on-car camera views Pg Dn - Chase View Delete - Reverse Chase View Insert - TV Director mode on/off

 

To Quit the Game

When in the menus, press <Esc> until you return to the main menu, then navigate down to 'Exit the Game', hit <Enter>, then confirm by hitting <Enter> again.

 

Supporting Documents

• Original Game Manual
• Original Technical Supplement

 

Additional Files, Drivers and Utilities

As mentioned, the modding community is still alive and well with GP2, and have produced hundreds of mods, editors, patches, carsets, other graphics and sound updates, loggers, etc.

Carsets are a collection of files that define each car's livery, their driver's helmet colour, each AI car's performance and much more. These can be installed using GP2Edit. Installing a carset replaces the original carset provided with the game.

JAM files are archives of images that can be used within GP2. These images are typically used for car liveries, adverts, scenery textures, road markings, buildings, and so on.

Tracks are comprised of several files - the track data itself is in GP2\CIRCUITS and named f1ctxx.dat where xx is a number from 01 to 16. Installation of a custom track changes the files in one of these 16 'slots'. The graphics for the track are stored in the GP2\gamejams subdirectory.

Game / Settings Editors:

• GP2Edit v1.86 - one of the main utilities to tweak the game. An essential download! Edit team/engine names, performance and reliability.  Edit driver names, numbers and performance.  Grid and race calculators to aid performance editing.  Disable up to 2 drivers/cars.  Replace car graphics with your own bitmaps.  Replace helmet graphics with your own bitmaps.  Preview new car bitmaps in 3d.  Set high or low nose cones.  Car Number Position editor.  Edit pit crew colours, pit lane position and speed limit.  Edit cockpit/mirror/wing colours.  Replace wheel graphics with your own bitmaps.  Replace all Sound effects with your own WAV files. 
  Edit helmets used on 'Choose Driver/Team' menu.  Edit Onboard camera views.  Replace all other texture files used in the game. 
  Edit how easily cars get damaged.  Edit Cockpit design and gauge layout (with CPD v1.3 support).  Store up to 8 spare drivers in a car set.  Display driver 1 as 1 or 0.  Choose which driver aids are available.  Set players car power, or make it use the selected team power.  Set quick race length.  Adjust players and computer cars weight.  Change players tyre grip.  Set the initial fuel load in practice and Qualifying sessions.  Edit the championship points awarded.  Set the number of laps in a 100% race.  Load/save single team files 
  Load/save performance text files.  Create self installing DOS car set.

Carsets:

• Carsets collection - accurately modelled for all F1 seasons from 1980 to 2000. A carset is typically a single file that contains all cars, helmets, wheels, names/numbers and performance data, custom cockpits, sound effects, track adverts and much more.

Other:

• gp2nocd - Patches the game executable to not look for the CD. You must also copy the CIRCUITS folder from the CD to your game directory, since by default the game looks for this on your CD-ROM. This patch forces the game to now look on your hard disk. Be sure to change the CIRCUITS folder files to not be read-only (so they can be overwritten with custom circuits). You also need this patch if you want to install any aftermarket circuits to the game.
• GP2Lap v1.15 (14 Aug 2001) - a real-time GP2 extension made by Frank Ahnert and René Smit. Adds the following: A logging system. Currently, hotlaps and saved games are being extended with relevant data. This data can also be stored in separate log files. At The Line, showing race times and lap times on-screen as cars are crossing the start/finish line. A track mapCar Info. This shows some telemetry data, intended for the external view. Track Manager. Tell GP2Lap which track files it should use. Dual-player mode on IPX/SPX networks. Extension of .PAx perf files with car position data and high-res wheel speed. This extended data can be rendered by F1PerfView. Features like custom track menu names and custom split time sections. See also this Windows front end for GP2Lap v1.13 and v1.14.
• GP2Replay v1.2 - Long Replays for GP2, now supporting all versions of GP2. Specify your own Replay time, up to 300 seconds long.
• GP2Video v1.1 - Record/Play and Save/Load a whole race!  (within the game). Supports only the UK and US versions 1.0b of GP2
• Track Editor v1.91 - With this editor you can make your own tracks and modify existing tracks (needs OpenGL.dll)
• GP2 Track Browser v1.1 - Browse a folder for GP2-Trackfiles and view some of the GP2Info and a track preview image. You can select tracks for a set and export it into a gp2lap.cfg file to use these tracks in GP2 (when using GP2Lap)
• JAM Editor v0.52b - Change the Jams in GP2. It can Import/Export separate jams and it can change the size of jams. It can also export/import jams and jips in GP3.  It can also convert the Jam files to .bmp files so that you can use in a drawing program.
• Object Editor - Change the Internal objects that you exported with the Track Editor. You can change the whole object and textures, after that you can  insert the objects in the track again with the Track Editor.
• Carshape Editor v0.98 - Change the carshape of GP2.
• OpenGL DLLs - You may need these DLLs if you want to be sure the Track Editor and Carshape Editor use all the features in Win9x.
• GP2 Cockpit Designer v1.4 - Place your cockpit gauges anywhere on your cockpit so you don't have to bound to the the strict cockpit layout. See also plug-ins: LCD Editor and Small Tools (noCD/MphFix/GP2split)
• Cockpit Workshop Professional - Edit all the known and previously unknown items in the GP2 cockpit display. This includes all the things covered by the CPD Designer, LCDTool. Everything is possible using the navigator, or an easy-to-use drag and drop system.   CWS only supports the UK English version of GP2.EXE.
• CPDirect v1.1 - A quick viewer and installer for Cockpit Designer (.CPD) files
• F1PervView v1.27 - A telemetry viewer for Windows, supporting GP2/GP3/GP3-2000/GP4 performance analysis, F1RS/MGPRS2 telemetry files, LFS replay analyser files, and generic text files. It includes most of the features that the internal GPx and F1RS viewers have, plus a text view, a statistics view, a time difference graph, and a track view. It also allows a combination of upto 256 perf files to be compared.
• GP2 COM/USB - Allow new joysticks and racing wheels connected to COM or USB port of the computer to work with GrandPrix 2.

 

Save Games

The main save game files for GP2 are as follows:

1) Driver Names - the names of each driver and the name of the team they are driving for. You can load and save different driver names from the Load/Save Game menu option.

2) Car Setups - store all the individual setups for your car. When you change your car's setup, e.g. camber, suspension, etc, you can test it out and then save that configuration and return to another car setup that you previously saved.

3) Circuit Records - hold all the lap records for each circuit.

By default, the game will create a subdirectory beneath the main game directory called 'gpsaves', and put the above file types in there.

None of the above save game files have a file extension, since you specify exactly what filename to use including the extension. However, the 3rd-party modding community tend to use .NAM for driver name files.

Versions of the game known to exist

GP2 was released in a number of geographical regions around the world, and each region had its own specific release. Known regions are US, UK, Europe, Finland, Australia & New Zealand, Brazil. Not all patches, mods, etc., work on every region version.

Version	Date	Comments
Demo	Early 1996	World Circuit Racing - Grand Prix II Demo CD (runs in MS-DOS) - US market
1.0	1996	Initial game version.
1.0b	6th July 1996	The latest version of the game.

 

Original CD-ROM Contents

Disc 1 of 1: Directory of D:\ 04/07/1996 16:00 59 AUTORUN.INF 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> GP2 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> GPFILES 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> INSTALL 17/05/1996 02:22 28,616 INSTALL.EXE 04/07/1996 16:00 967 INSTALL.PIF 05/07/1996 21:03 6,520 README.TXT 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> UTILS 4 File(s) 36,162 bytes Directory of D:\GP2 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> . 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> .. 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> ANIM 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> BITMAPS 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> CIRCUITS 04/07/1996 16:00 82 F1SYSTEM.DAT 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> GAMEJAMS 05/07/1996 18:35 5,702,937 GP2.EXE 04/07/1996 16:00 967 GP2.PIF 05/07/1996 18:49 5,705,385 GP2DUT.EXE 05/07/1996 18:40 5,707,369 GP2FRE.EXE 05/07/1996 18:54 5,706,553 GP2ITA.EXE 05/07/1996 18:59 5,707,881 GP2SPA.EXE 04/07/1996 16:00 459 MODEMLST.DAT 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> SOUND 8 File(s) 28,531,633 bytes Directory of D:\GP2\ANIM 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> . 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> .. 04/07/1996 16:00 1,372,172 1ST.SMK 04/07/1996 16:00 927,048 2ND.SMK 04/07/1996 16:00 892,716 3RD.SMK 04/07/1996 16:00 7,301,560 INTRO.SMK 04/07/1996 16:00 755,452 SEASON.SMK 04/07/1996 16:00 1,342,128 TROPHY.SMK 04/07/1996 16:00 1,218,104 WINCHAMP.SMK 7 File(s) 13,809,180 bytes Directory of D:\GP2\BITMAPS 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> . 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> .. 04/07/1996 16:00 108,405 CPITHI.PCX 04/07/1996 16:00 30,570 CPITLOW.PCX 04/07/1996 16:00 9,082,246 F1PCHVGA.BIN 04/07/1996 16:00 11,123,989 F1PCSVGA.BIN 4 File(s) 20,345,210 bytes Directory of D:\GP2\CIRCUITS 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> . 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> .. 04/07/1996 16:00 32,406 F1CT01.DAT 04/07/1996 16:00 32,506 F1CT02.DAT 04/07/1996 16:00 37,678 F1CT03.DAT 04/07/1996 16:00 58,290 F1CT04.DAT 04/07/1996 16:00 34,061 F1CT05.DAT 04/07/1996 16:00 34,392 F1CT06.DAT 04/07/1996 16:00 31,767 F1CT07.DAT 04/07/1996 16:00 38,617 F1CT08.DAT 04/07/1996 16:00 31,876 F1CT09.DAT 04/07/1996 16:00 34,956 F1CT10.DAT 04/07/1996 16:00 45,598 F1CT11.DAT 04/07/1996 16:00 41,038 F1CT12.DAT 04/07/1996 16:00 37,263 F1CT13.DAT 04/07/1996 16:00 33,059 F1CT14.DAT 04/07/1996 16:00 35,730 F1CT15.DAT 04/07/1996 16:00 44,586 F1CT16.DAT 04/07/1996 16:00 215,211,416 TRACKDAT.BIN 17 File(s) 215,815,239 bytes Directory of D:\UTILS 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> . 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> .. 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> BOOTDISC 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> COMSETUP 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> HELPDOCS 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> MOUSE 0 File(s) 0 bytes Directory of D:\UTILS\BOOTDISC 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> . 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> .. 04/07/1996 16:00 268 BOOT.DAT 04/07/1996 16:00 563 BOOTDISK.BAT 04/07/1996 16:00 13,052 BOOTGP2.EXE 04/07/1996 16:00 440 INCLUDE.LST 04/07/1996 16:00 177 REMOVE.LST 5 File(s) 14,500 bytes Directory of D:\UTILS\COMSETUP 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> . 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> .. 04/07/1996 16:00 1,237 COMSETUP.EXE 1 File(s) 1,237 bytes Directory of D:\UTILS\HELPDOCS 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> . 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> .. 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> ENGLISH 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> ESPANOL 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> FRANCAIS 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> ITALIANO 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> NEDERL 0 File(s) 0 bytes Directory of D:\UTILS\HELPDOCS\ENGLISH 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> . 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> .. 20/06/1996 12:50 3,721 CDROM.TXT 24/06/1996 13:10 2,353 WINDOW95.TXT 2 File(s) 6,074 bytes Directory of D:\UTILS\HELPDOCS\ESPANOL 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> . 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> .. 05/07/1996 13:58 3,831 CDROM.TXT 24/06/1996 13:13 1,820 WINDOW95.TXT 2 File(s) 5,651 bytes Directory of D:\UTILS\HELPDOCS\FRANCAIS 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> . 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> .. 05/07/1996 13:59 4,066 CDROM.TXT 24/06/1996 13:10 2,619 WINDOW95.TXT 2 File(s) 6,685 bytes Directory of D:\UTILS\HELPDOCS\ITALIANO 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> . 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> .. 05/07/1996 13:59 4,061 CDROM.TXT 21/06/1996 11:07 2,584 WINDOW95.TXT 2 File(s) 6,645 bytes Directory of D:\UTILS\HELPDOCS\NEDERL 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> . 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> .. 24/06/1996 13:09 5,277 CDROM.TXT 24/06/1996 13:09 2,160 WINDOW95.TXT 2 File(s) 7,437 bytes Directory of D:\UTILS\MOUSE 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> . 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> .. 04/07/1996 16:00 61,803 CPANEL.EXE 04/07/1996 16:00 3,437 LICENSE.TXT 04/07/1996 16:00 56,408 MOUSE.COM 04/07/1996 16:00 1,219 MOUSE.INI 04/07/1996 16:00 55,160 MOUSE.SYS 5 File(s) 178,027 bytes Directory of D:\GPFILES 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> . 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> .. 04/07/1996 16:00 831 DNAMES.NAM 04/07/1996 16:00 71 GP500.CON 04/07/1996 16:00 2,852 RECORDS.REC 04/07/1996 16:00 84 SETUP.CSA 04/07/1996 16:00 3,110 SETUP.TSU 04/07/1996 16:00 71 T2.CON 6 File(s) 7,019 bytes Directory of D:\INSTALL 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> . 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> .. 04/07/1996 16:00 16,384 AUTORUN.EXE 04/07/1996 16:00 153,600 BG2.RAW 03/07/1996 03:11 60,338 DINSTALL.EXE 03/07/1996 03:12 42,446 DSETUP.EXE 03/07/1996 03:11 60,560 EINSTALL.EXE 03/07/1996 03:12 42,366 ESETUP.EXE 03/07/1996 03:11 60,370 FINSTALL.EXE 03/07/1996 03:12 42,334 FSETUP.EXE 04/07/1996 16:00 766 GP2.ICO 05/07/1996 21:08 1,063 GP2INST.DAT 04/07/1996 16:00 766 GP2SETUP.ICO 04/07/1996 16:00 766 GP2UNINS.ICO 04/07/1996 16:00 766 GP2_CD.ICO 03/07/1996 03:11 60,418 IINSTALL.EXE 03/07/1996 03:12 42,478 ISETUP.EXE 04/07/1996 16:00 1,102 MAKESYS.EXE 04/07/1996 16:00 182,768 MEMCHECK.OVL 05/07/1996 21:04 7,280 README.DUT 05/07/1996 21:04 7,722 README.FRE 05/07/1996 21:04 7,141 README.ITA 05/07/1996 21:04 5,782 README.SPA 03/07/1996 03:11 60,594 SINSTALL.EXE 03/07/1996 03:12 42,590 SSETUP.EXE 04/07/1996 16:00 18,432 W95UNINS.EXE 04/07/1996 16:00 17,408 WIN95INS.EXE 04/07/1996 16:00 7,890 XTRACT.LST 26 File(s) 944,130 bytes Directory of D:\GP2\SOUND 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> . 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> .. 04/07/1996 16:00 162,306 AUDIO.TST 04/07/1996 16:00 81,956 HMIDET.386 04/07/1996 16:00 52,882 HMIDET.DRV 04/07/1996 16:00 261,305 HMIDRV.386 04/07/1996 16:00 672,138 LAP_REC.WAV 04/07/1996 16:00 55,744,796 MENU1ALL.WAV 04/07/1996 16:00 55,587,212 MENU1MUS.WAV 04/07/1996 16:00 67,596,524 MENU2ALL.WAV 04/07/1996 16:00 66,070,076 MENU2MUS.WAV 04/07/1996 16:00 208,496 PLAYER.OVL 04/07/1996 16:00 729,616 POLEPOS.WAV 04/07/1996 16:00 1,284,092 RETIRE1.WAV 04/07/1996 16:00 936,476 RETIRE2.WAV 04/07/1996 16:00 1,852,787 SAMPLE.CAT 04/07/1996 16:00 14 SOUND.CFG 15 File(s) 251,240,676 bytes Directory of D:\GP2\GAMEJAMS 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> . 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> .. 04/07/1996 16:00 32,936 2TARMAC2.JAM 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> ADLJAMS 04/07/1996 16:00 48,012 ADVERTS1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 25,804 ADVERTS2.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 64,912 B1FTR.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 68,368 B1RTR.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 26,284 B2FTR.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 39,644 B2RTR.JAM 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> BARJAMS 04/07/1996 16:00 42,884 BENETTON.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 17,196 BRICSAND.JAM 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> BRZJAMS 04/07/1996 16:00 44,180 BUSHES.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 48,900 CHEQU1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 32,940 CLOUDA.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 45,056 CLUMPS1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 26,204 CLUMPS2.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 9,084 CROWD4.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 12,580 CSHAD1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 10,620 DAMAGE.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 16,560 DPROAD_.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 39,280 DTREES.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 42,828 FERRARI.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 39,628 FLAGCHEQ.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 49,380 FLAGS1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 42,824 FOOTWORK.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 58,708 FTREES.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 32,500 FUEL.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 33,272 GRASS.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 16,548 GRASVERG.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 69,524 HELMETS1.JAM 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> HOCJAMS 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> HUNJAMS 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> JEZJAMS 04/07/1996 16:00 42,840 JORDAN.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 16,548 LANDSCAP.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 42,820 LARROUS.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 42,840 LIGIER.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 42,828 LOTUS.JAM 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> MAGJAMS 04/07/1996 16:00 42,836 MCLAREN.JAM 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> MCOJAMS 04/07/1996 16:00 66,520 MCOSPECT.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 83,968 MHILL.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 42,848 MINARDI.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 28,420 MONACO1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 9,212 MONACO22.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 43,920 MPUSH.JAM 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> MTLJAMS 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> MZAJAMS 04/07/1996 16:00 9,084 NOCROWD.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 42,824 PACIFIC.JAM 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> PACJAMS 04/07/1996 16:00 8,364 PARK_LT.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 8,364 PARK_RT.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 27,404 PAVEMENT.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 30,596 PC-EXTR1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 40,840 PC-EXTR2.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 51,364 PC-JACK.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 30,340 PC-WHEEL.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 26,436 PITPROP1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 38,468 PITPROP2.JAM 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> PORJAMS 04/07/1996 16:00 179,236 RCR1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 160,036 RCR2.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 78,724 RCR2A.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 159,524 RCR2B.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 240,676 RCR3.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 154,916 RCR4.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 131,748 RCR5.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 17,468 ROADSGN.JAM 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> SANJAMS 04/07/1996 16:00 42,820 SAUBER.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 16,548 SCRUBLND.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 11,474 SHILL.JAM 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> SILJAMS 04/07/1996 16:00 42,824 SIMTEK.JAM 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> SPAJAMS 04/07/1996 16:00 28,588 SPGRID2.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 2,212 STANDS.JAM 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> SUZJAMS 04/07/1996 16:00 42,832 TYRRELL.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 16,548 VERG280.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 42,832 WILLIAMS.JAM 68 File(s) 3,225,346 bytes

Directory of D:\GP2\GAMEJAMS\ADLJAMS 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> . 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> .. 04/07/1996 16:00 46,576 ADL1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 36,468 ADL2A.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 35,764 ADL3.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 27,408 ADL_AD1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 49,412 HORADL.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 8,364 PARK_RT.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 40,372 PAVADEL.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 16,000 ROADSGN.JAM 8 File(s) 260,364 bytes Directory of D:\GP2\GAMEJAMS\BARJAMS 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> . 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> .. 04/07/1996 16:00 53,816 BAR1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 51,816 BAR2.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 7,680 BARM.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 6,512 BARS.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 45,488 BAR_AD1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 49,412 HORBAR.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 8,364 PARK_RT.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 39,712 PAVBARC.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 16,000 ROADSGN.JAM 9 File(s) 278,800 bytes Directory of D:\GP2\GAMEJAMS\BRZJAMS 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> . 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> .. 04/07/1996 16:00 55,824 BRZ1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 23,432 BRZ10.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 29,256 BRZ2.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 26,876 BRZCRWD.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 35,864 BRZ_AD1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 49,412 HORBRZ.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 8,364 PARK_LT.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 40,192 PAVBRAZ.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 16,000 ROADSGN.JAM 9 File(s) 285,220 bytes Directory of D:\GP2\GAMEJAMS\HOCJAMS 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> . 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> .. 04/07/1996 16:00 38,620 HOC1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 35,800 HOC_AD1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 49,412 HORHOC.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 8,364 PARK_RT.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 39,544 PAVHOCK.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 16,000 ROADSGN.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 51,136 T_HOCK1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 51,296 T_HOCK2.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 34,952 T_HOCK3.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 51,100 T_MONSP1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 50,932 T_MONSP2.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 34,672 T_MONSP3.JAM 12 File(s) 461,828 bytes Directory of D:\GP2\GAMEJAMS\HUNJAMS 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> . 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> .. 04/07/1996 16:00 49,412 HORHUN.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 39,876 HUN10.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 17,032 HUN3.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 38,116 HUNGARY1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 36,300 HUNGARY2.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 16,708 HUNLAND.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 43,724 HUN_AD1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 83,968 HUN_M1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 11,474 HUN_S1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 8,364 PARK_RT.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 39,904 PAVHUNG.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 16,000 ROADSGN.JAM 12 File(s) 400,878 bytes Directory of D:\GP2\GAMEJAMS\JEZJAMS 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> . 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> .. 04/07/1996 16:00 49,412 HORJEZ.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 43,164 JEZ1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 36,640 JEZ10.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 39,692 JEZ2.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 17,556 JEZLAND.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 27,052 JEZ_AD1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 8,364 PARK_LT.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 39,024 PAVJEREZ.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 16,000 ROADSGN.JAM 9 File(s) 276,904 bytes Directory of D:\GP2\GAMEJAMS\MAGJAMS 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> . 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> .. 04/07/1996 16:00 49,412 HORMAG.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 28,056 MAG1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 22,236 MAG10.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 26,712 MAG11.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 47,180 MAG2.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 42,664 MAG3.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 36,716 MAG_AD1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 8,364 PARK_LT.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 39,996 PAVMAGNY.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 16,000 ROADSGN.JAM 10 File(s) 317,336 bytes Directory of D:\GP2\GAMEJAMS\MCOJAMS 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> . 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> .. 04/07/1996 16:00 50,084 APP1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 31,920 APP1BB.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 34,212 ARCH.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 47,684 FLAT1_.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 45,128 HERM.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 49,412 HORMCO.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 56,068 MCO1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 40,076 MCO2.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 43,888 MCO_AD1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 16,528 MCO_TAR.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 30,408 MSET3C_.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 49,640 MSET3_.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 37,276 MWALL1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 47,316 MWALL2.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 51,700 PARF.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 33,096 PARF1RUN.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 33,852 PARF2RUN.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 8,364 PARK_RT.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 39,912 PAVMNACO.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 37,676 PREPARF.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 31,200 RASCASSE.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 48,020 RASCC.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 16,000 ROADSGN.JAM 23 File(s) 879,460 bytes Directory of D:\GP2\GAMEJAMS\MTLJAMS 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> . 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> .. 04/07/1996 16:00 49,412 HORMTL.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 42,620 MTL1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 48,220 MTL2.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 44,088 MTL_AD1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 8,364 PARK_LT.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 42,412 PAVMONT.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 16,000 ROADSGN.JAM 7 File(s) 251,116 bytes Directory of D:\GP2\GAMEJAMS\MZAJAMS 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> . 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> .. 04/07/1996 16:00 49,412 HORMZA.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 46,052 MZA1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 34,776 MZA2.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 34,076 MZA3.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 26,412 MZA4.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 51,812 MZA_AD1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 25,236 MZA_AD2.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 8,364 PARK_RT.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 40,124 PAVMONZA.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 16,000 ROADSGN.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 51,864 T_MONLES.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 51,100 T_MONSP1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 50,932 T_MONSP2.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 34,672 T_MONSP3.JAM 14 File(s) 520,832 bytes Directory of D:\GP2\GAMEJAMS\PACJAMS 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> . 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> .. 04/07/1996 16:00 49,412 HORPAC.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 18,152 LAND1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 46,256 PAC1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 29,932 PAC10.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 46,492 PAC2.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 21,848 PAC3.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 8,364 PACLAND.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 27,556 PAC_AD1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 8,364 PARK_RT.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 40,084 PAVPAFIC.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 16,000 ROADSGN.JAM 11 File(s) 312,460 bytes Directory of D:\GP2\GAMEJAMS\PORJAMS 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> . 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> .. 04/07/1996 16:00 16,548 DRY1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 49,412 HORPOR.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 18,152 LAND1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 16,548 LUSH2.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 8,364 PARK_RT.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 39,864 PAVPORT.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 24,492 POR1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 36,216 POR2.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 21,556 POR3.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 35,676 POR_AD1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 16,000 ROADSGN.JAM 11 File(s) 282,828 bytes Directory of D:\GP2\GAMEJAMS\SANJAMS 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> . 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> .. 04/07/1996 16:00 49,412 HORSAN.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 8,364 PARK_RT.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 40,052 PAVSANMA.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 16,000 ROADSGN.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 54,252 SAN0.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 48,728 SAN1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 30,488 SAN2.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 31,228 SAN3.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 34,772 SAN40.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 52,168 SAN_AD1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 28,600 SAN_AD2.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 51,864 T_MONLES.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 51,100 T_MONSP1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 50,932 T_MONSP2.JAM 14 File(s) 547,960 bytes Directory of D:\GP2\GAMEJAMS\SILJAMS 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> . 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> .. 04/07/1996 16:00 49,412 HORSIL.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 8,364 PARK_RT.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 39,700 PAVSILVR.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 16,000 ROADSGN.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 21,556 SIL0.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 32,864 SILVER1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 20,036 SILVER1A.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 26,744 SILVER2.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 18,652 SILVER4.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 39,484 SILVER5.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 18,836 SILVER6.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 35,244 SILVER7.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 26,308 SILVER9.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 44,808 SIL_AD1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 16,528 SIL_TAR.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 51,100 T_MONSP1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 50,932 T_MONSP2.JAM 17 File(s) 516,568 bytes Directory of D:\GP2\GAMEJAMS\SPAJAMS 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> . 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> .. 04/07/1996 16:00 49,412 HORSPA.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 8,364 PARK_RT.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 39,948 PAVSPA.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 16,000 ROADSGN.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 43,484 SPA1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 53,668 SPA2.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 35,804 SPA4.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 49,292 SPA6.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 35,356 SPA_AD1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 51,096 T_MONSP1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 50,932 T_MONSP2.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 34,672 T_MONSP3.JAM 12 File(s) 468,028 bytes Directory of D:\GP2\GAMEJAMS\SUZJAMS 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> . 05/07/1996 21:13 <DIR> .. 04/07/1996 16:00 49,412 HORSUZ.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 8,364 PARK_RT.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 39,932 PAVSUZ.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 16,000 ROADSGN.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 26,444 SUZ2.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 54,136 SUZ_AD1.JAM 04/07/1996 16:00 37,592 SUZ_TEX.JAM 7 File(s) 231,880 bytes Total Files Listed: 361 File(s) 540,473,313 bytes 102 Dir(s) 0 bytes free

 

Installed Directory Contents

Once installed, the following directory structure exists in the game directory.

"Optimum Install" chosen, which is the largest. Game version UK 1.02b.   Directory of C:\GP2

 

Game Review

After the critically-acclaimed Formula One Grand Prix (World Circuit), MicroProse returned with its successor in 1996. It's important for such a sequel to retain all the things that made the first one so good, and MicroProse did just that. Almost everything in Grand Prix 2 is the same but is significantly more polished.

This time around, MicroProse secured the licence from the FIA to use the actual team and driver names of the 1994 Grand Prix season, meaning you get to see all the period-correct cars with their sponsorship liveries, teams and drivers where even their helmets are depicted correctly.

The game supports all the popular sound cards of the time including Sound Blaster/Pro/16/AWE32, ESS AudioDrive, ProAudio Spectrum, Sound Master 2, Gravis UltraSound/Max, and Microsoft Sound System.

You will instantly be familiar with the menu system as it's laid out much like the first game, though it can now also be driven with a mouse. Just as with F1GP, there's a lot you can do in the various menus but it's all laid out very logically.

A Quick Race option is there if you just want to get right into the action without going through practice or qualifying sessions first. All the circuits are available from the game's startup - there's nothing to 'unlock' in GP2. This allows novice drivers to get used to the car physics, and with the driving aids able to be switched off and on in real time without penalty, the game is extremely accessible to all. As you feel able to, you can learn to drive without the driving aids and see the impact it can have on your lap times.

Alternatively you can practice on any circuit, do a non-championship race (with practice and qualifying sessions), or enter the full championship season from the start.

True to real life, during practice and qualifying sessions you will see other cars out on the circuit doing the same as you, and you can switch the view to any other car at any time to see what they're up to.

Grand Prix 2, like its predecessor, shines not only for its gameplay but also its attention to detail. Even doing a quick race of 3 laps provides you with a good amount of post-race analysis so you can check your lap times against the other drivers for the race, as well as against the historical records set on that track. There is a tremendous amount of detail in the car setup portion of the game if you want to delve more deeply in the car physics aspect, and any car setup can be saved and restored. This is especially useful in the Championship, where you would have a different car setup for each track.

There are five difficulty levels which affect the standard of the opposition, and just as with F1GP you can opt to have this standard spread across all cars, set to 1994 levels, or randomly spread. Something new in GP2 is car component failures - in the 'Car Realism' menu you can choose to switch on up to eight different component failures that may strike during a race.

One aspect of GP2 I really like is that it's actually fun to play. Yes, it's a simulation, but it's not weighed down with complexity unless you want to delve into it. The car behaves as you would expect it to, with no nasty surprises. If you lose control or crash, it's most certainly because you caused it to happen, not because the game glitched out.

Sadly the game has no weather options such as wet races - this is an odd glaring omission from a game has everything else going for it, and something that would added a fresh dynamic to preparing for a race weekend.

So let's start with a 'Quickrace' around Monza. I've calibrated my CH Mach I for this, but changed the setup to use Button 2 for acceleration instead of the Y-axis. These videos have the game graphics set to the maximum, 640 x 480 with full textures. The PC I'm running this on is a little ahead of its time in some respects: AMD K6/2-550 (1998) on a Gigabyte GA-5AX motherboard (1997), 128 MB RAM (1998), Number Nine Revolution 3D AGP 8 MB SGRAM (1997), and Sound Blaster 16 CT2940 with Yamaha YMF262 (1995).


My first quick race, at Monza (Italy) - Best lap: 1m34.587





OK, so a few things to note here... firstly, my joystick's steering is too reactive - it's about as bad as using the keyboard - so I need to dampen that down. You probably noticed I ran with almost all the driving aids switched on. I'm not great at these games at the best of times, and it's been a good while since I played GP2 so while I get used to the feel of it I'm keeping a lot of these on.

I changed the joystick sensitivity zone from 50% to 70% which helped, but after a couple more quick races, I decided the joystick wasn't for me and reverted back to keys. So for this next quick race (also Monza), I went for manual gears, manual braking, but kept some other driving aids on such as the suggested gear.


Rather haphazard I must say, but this game is all about practice!


Not too bad, with a best lap of 1m32.002 I've shaved 2.5 seconds through my [albeit poor] manual gear changes and late braking. This is with the default car setup of course. Monza is a short but fast track with long straights, so I need more speed. I'll adjust the car for either longer gearing or reduce the downforce to try to get a faster lap time, but before then I want to try out some more circuits.

We're off to Belgium for the next track, at Spa Francorchamps...


This wasn't too bad with almost no practice - I'm definitely still rusty on manual gears


Definitely more practice needed on this track, with a best lap of 2m9.22. I got to 2nd fairly early but just couldn't catch Schumacher in the Bennetton. It's a fun track, with a mix of both long fast sections and tight 1st-gear hairpins. I'm certainly nowhere near capable yet to enter a championship, but we'll see.

Let's do a non-championship race, this time at Hockenheim, Germany. You start with a practice session, followed by two rounds of qualifying, then a pre-race session. It follows standard FIA rules, so if I don't take part in Qual #2 as well I start at the back of the grid.

  
After the first qualifying session I made it into 9th, but then chose 'Accelerated Time' and other drivers managed some more laps which pushed me down to 21st on the grid. The race was going quite well until I spun off - given that I had it on the default length of 3 laps I gave up early after that.



Here's a replay of my [not so] hot lap.

 

Rounding Up

Graphics: Excellent 3D textured models, 640 x 480 in 256 colours, and lots of detail on the track sides with billboards, buildings, gantries, seating areas, it's all there. The cockpits have all been upgraded too, showing more information than before. 10/10

Sound: Pretty decent engine sounds and excellent sound card support, and there's background music in the menus. If there's anything I would recommend, adding speech when pitting and perhaps some track-side noise would have been nice. 7/10

Gameplay: I cannot find fault with anything in GP2 regarding its gameplay. The full race season from 1994 is there, and the options to analyse your performance, tweak the car, save/load your settings are very welcome. With the actual teams, drivers, accurate circuits, and a rich set of options, there's little point in ever returning to F1GP once you've played GP2 - it's an all-round better game but manages to keep everything that made its predecessor the #1 title it was - Well done MicroProse! 10/10

Lastability: As mentioned, it's highly accessible for beginners, but has a ton of depth to open up at your leisure as your proficiency grows. Furthermore, the modding community have worked for 25 or so years putting together the actual F1 race seasons with car liveries and drivers, new circuits and much more - all of this brings GP2 much more into the present day for us all to enjoy. Grand Prix 2 is a top-flight title for racers of all levels. 10/10

OVERALL: 9/10