One of the pioneering titles of the mid-2000s within sim racing, GTR 2 is still played and enjoyed today - its legacy is undeniably enormous. But how does the title hold up today?
GTR 2, officially named GTR 2 - FIA GT Racing Game, came out in 2006 with a wealth of good reviews from racing game-focused and more general gaming outlets. GTR 2's handling and simulation physics coupled with a wealth of content, a racing school and modding capability made it a fan favorite. But how does it hold up in 2024? Is it still a viable option for sim racers around the globe?
Like the original, GTR2 portrayed the 2003 FIA GT Championship season, but also added the 2004 campaign to its roster. This included all cars and tracks, including entries that only raced in the 24 Hours of Spa - the crown jewel event of the series - in each year. The tracks featured modifications specific to each year, too. For instance, Spa-Francorchamps 2004 had a modified, tighter first part of the Bus Stop chicane at the end of the lap compared to the 2003 circuit, which still comes with the original layout.
A dynamic weather system and day/night cycle further set the game apart from the competition, as neither were all that common at the time. GTR2 did not just throw players in at the deep end, though. The game featured an in-depth racing school mode which taught important basics and unlocked events. The progression part of GTR2 could also be disabled quite easily by editing a config file so all content and championships would unlock immediately.
Apart from racing the AI (even for up to 24 hours in real time), online multiplayer was also included and gave birth to many a league as a result. In fact, this is where many RaceDepartment, members first met back in the day, essentially creating the foundation for the platform of today with its forums, download section, and article section.
BMW E46 M3 GTR. One of the most iconic sportscars in GTR2. Image: SimBin Studios
What makes GTR2 even more accessible for the average sim racer in 2024, is the system requirements. On Steam, the minimum requirements to run GTR2 in its base form are as follows.
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/Seven
Processor: 1.3 GHz Intel Pentium III or AMD
Memory: 512 MB RAM
Graphics: DX8.1 comp. video card/64 MB
DirectX®: 8.1
Hard Drive: 3 GB HD space
With a game that is so old, those low requirements are to be expected. But if you are playing a laptop, or simply just an older PC system that cannot cope with the crazy graphics of Assetto Corsa Competizione and you love your classic racing, give GTR2 a try.
Racing the AI or trying to complete all of the driving school missions, GTR2 has something for everyone. Image : SimBin Studios
The sheer scale of these mods is still impressive today. Even the likes of some of Assetto Corsa's mod offerings do not match up to the level of commitment GTR2's fans have poured into this mid-2000s sim racing gem, with many a full season pack adding to the sim immensely.
There are many more incredible mods available right here on OverTake, including the famous 'Power and Glory' add-on that many people see as an essential bolt-on for GTR2 in 2024. If you are looking for some of the best offerings for GTR2, check out our 'Essential Mods You Need To Play GTR2'!
The iconic Lotus Cortina is included in the Power & Glory mod. Image: Paul Jeffrey
What the Power & Glory mod does is include a vast array of vehicles included in developer Simbin's GT Legends game, released the previous year to GTR2 in 2006. The mod brings these cars that were raced in the 1960s and 70s to life with new sounds, handling and most importantly, a complete overhaul of the model's textures and 3D physics.
Power & Glory completely refreshes GTR2 even in 2024 because it essentially combines the two games of GT Legends and GTR2 together but with modern technology. This small collection of mods is just a selection of the big hitters in the world of GTR2. There are plenty more tracks and cars available in our download section.
The mods even go as far as a track set in space known as the Cosmos Grand Prix Circuit. Image: @abrimaal
With the mods we mentioned, the game is even better. But even if you just want to jump in and drive to start with, the feeling of the edge of grip within the tyre is immaculately simulated even on more modest sim racing hardware.
The retro styling of all of the tracks with accompanying pit crews, pit boards and all the details that come along with it serves as a great throwback. The physics matches up to the aesthetic of GTR2 and gives a true feeling of what the limit of these incredible machines might feel like. Remember, the engine is the same that the original rFactor or Automobilista titles used as well - and that is for a good reason.
Gillet Vertigo Streiff, Donington Park. Image: SimBin Studios
Racing side by side against the AI is great fun as well. However, be aware that without any of the AI adjustments within the mods we listed, they are not the most intelligent in a lot of racing situations. They are not unplayable by any means, just rather bone-headed when it comes to avoiding an accident.
Overall, GTR2's physics are well worth trying out for yourself, just be aware that if you are lucky enough to have a wheelbase with Direct Drive, you might notice a few issues. Nothing major has been reported in regard to compatibility, but the up-to-date mods smooth out the Force Feedback problems regardless.
One thing to not regarding modern hardware is the input device limit. GTR2 only supports three of them in addition to a keyboard, so if you have mix-and-match type of hardware setup, you might have to unplug some peripherals or merge them via programs like vjoy or Joystick Gremlin.
For instance, if you are running a Fanatec wheel base and wheel, this will already take up two input device slots. Separate pedals would then work, but a non-Fanatec shifter for the manual sequential gearbox in the GT1s would be too much, then. If you run a setup using hardware of just one manufacturer with all peripherals connected to your wheel base, you are good to go, however.
Have you given GTR2 a try in 2024? Let us know how you do over on X @OverTake_gg or down in the comments below!
GTR 2, officially named GTR 2 - FIA GT Racing Game, came out in 2006 with a wealth of good reviews from racing game-focused and more general gaming outlets. GTR 2's handling and simulation physics coupled with a wealth of content, a racing school and modding capability made it a fan favorite. But how does it hold up in 2024? Is it still a viable option for sim racers around the globe?
GTR 2 History
Before we dive into what it is like to run GTR2 in 2024, let us look back at the roots of the title, as that is part of why it is so significant to sim racing. The official FIA GT game was released in September 2006 (October in Europe) as a PC exclusive, succeeding 2005's GTR. The original sim had already been received well, but did not quite make the splash the newer edition would go on to make.Like the original, GTR2 portrayed the 2003 FIA GT Championship season, but also added the 2004 campaign to its roster. This included all cars and tracks, including entries that only raced in the 24 Hours of Spa - the crown jewel event of the series - in each year. The tracks featured modifications specific to each year, too. For instance, Spa-Francorchamps 2004 had a modified, tighter first part of the Bus Stop chicane at the end of the lap compared to the 2003 circuit, which still comes with the original layout.
Well-proven Engine
While the visuals may not have been on par with the likes of Test Drive Unlimited or Need For Speed Carbon, which were released in the same year, its physics were leaps and bounds above any of these titles. Using the IsiMotor2 engine like its predecessor as well as rFactor, GTR2 offered a believable and challenging racing experience, particularly on a wheel and pedals.A dynamic weather system and day/night cycle further set the game apart from the competition, as neither were all that common at the time. GTR2 did not just throw players in at the deep end, though. The game featured an in-depth racing school mode which taught important basics and unlocked events. The progression part of GTR2 could also be disabled quite easily by editing a config file so all content and championships would unlock immediately.
Apart from racing the AI (even for up to 24 hours in real time), online multiplayer was also included and gave birth to many a league as a result. In fact, this is where many RaceDepartment, members first met back in the day, essentially creating the foundation for the platform of today with its forums, download section, and article section.
Availability Of GTR2
The availability of the title is one of the most important factors when considering if GTR2 is still an option for sim racers in 2024. GTR2 is, thankfully, still widely available for purchase across multiple PC platforms; Steam being the obvious one. Whilst there is one small setback with the Steam version, that being the absence of the Porsche and Ferrari cars in the game, there is not much else to negatively report. And for the missing vehicles, there is a mod, of course.BMW E46 M3 GTR. One of the most iconic sportscars in GTR2. Image: SimBin Studios
What makes GTR2 even more accessible for the average sim racer in 2024, is the system requirements. On Steam, the minimum requirements to run GTR2 in its base form are as follows.
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/Seven
Processor: 1.3 GHz Intel Pentium III or AMD
Memory: 512 MB RAM
Graphics: DX8.1 comp. video card/64 MB
DirectX®: 8.1
Hard Drive: 3 GB HD space
With a game that is so old, those low requirements are to be expected. But if you are playing a laptop, or simply just an older PC system that cannot cope with the crazy graphics of Assetto Corsa Competizione and you love your classic racing, give GTR2 a try.
Racing the AI or trying to complete all of the driving school missions, GTR2 has something for everyone. Image : SimBin Studios
Mods
What makes GTR2 even better in 2024 is the amount of mods available for players. These mods, especially the GTR2 16th anniversary patch one, two, three and four by @GTR233, create an atmosphere that is not too far distant from modern sim racing titles while bringing numerous elements of the game to a more modern standard. Graphical updates, cars and tracks from the future and the past and most importantly, the hundreds and hundreds of changes, bug fixes and graphical overhauls, make this patch a must-have in 2024.The sheer scale of these mods is still impressive today. Even the likes of some of Assetto Corsa's mod offerings do not match up to the level of commitment GTR2's fans have poured into this mid-2000s sim racing gem, with many a full season pack adding to the sim immensely.
There are many more incredible mods available right here on OverTake, including the famous 'Power and Glory' add-on that many people see as an essential bolt-on for GTR2 in 2024. If you are looking for some of the best offerings for GTR2, check out our 'Essential Mods You Need To Play GTR2'!
The iconic Lotus Cortina is included in the Power & Glory mod. Image: Paul Jeffrey
What the Power & Glory mod does is include a vast array of vehicles included in developer Simbin's GT Legends game, released the previous year to GTR2 in 2006. The mod brings these cars that were raced in the 1960s and 70s to life with new sounds, handling and most importantly, a complete overhaul of the model's textures and 3D physics.
Power & Glory completely refreshes GTR2 even in 2024 because it essentially combines the two games of GT Legends and GTR2 together but with modern technology. This small collection of mods is just a selection of the big hitters in the world of GTR2. There are plenty more tracks and cars available in our download section.
The mods even go as far as a track set in space known as the Cosmos Grand Prix Circuit. Image: @abrimaal
Driving Physics
Whilst the driving physics were revolutionary for 2006, do they still hold up in 2024? The short answer is: emphatically yes! The driving experience within these incredible GT machines is still just as special as any of the modern simulators.With the mods we mentioned, the game is even better. But even if you just want to jump in and drive to start with, the feeling of the edge of grip within the tyre is immaculately simulated even on more modest sim racing hardware.
The retro styling of all of the tracks with accompanying pit crews, pit boards and all the details that come along with it serves as a great throwback. The physics matches up to the aesthetic of GTR2 and gives a true feeling of what the limit of these incredible machines might feel like. Remember, the engine is the same that the original rFactor or Automobilista titles used as well - and that is for a good reason.
Gillet Vertigo Streiff, Donington Park. Image: SimBin Studios
Racing side by side against the AI is great fun as well. However, be aware that without any of the AI adjustments within the mods we listed, they are not the most intelligent in a lot of racing situations. They are not unplayable by any means, just rather bone-headed when it comes to avoiding an accident.
Overall, GTR2's physics are well worth trying out for yourself, just be aware that if you are lucky enough to have a wheelbase with Direct Drive, you might notice a few issues. Nothing major has been reported in regard to compatibility, but the up-to-date mods smooth out the Force Feedback problems regardless.
One thing to not regarding modern hardware is the input device limit. GTR2 only supports three of them in addition to a keyboard, so if you have mix-and-match type of hardware setup, you might have to unplug some peripherals or merge them via programs like vjoy or Joystick Gremlin.
For instance, if you are running a Fanatec wheel base and wheel, this will already take up two input device slots. Separate pedals would then work, but a non-Fanatec shifter for the manual sequential gearbox in the GT1s would be too much, then. If you run a setup using hardware of just one manufacturer with all peripherals connected to your wheel base, you are good to go, however.
Have you given GTR2 a try in 2024? Let us know how you do over on X @OverTake_gg or down in the comments below!
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