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"Ignore the magazine reviews, this game rocks !"

This is a port of the PS2 title of the same name released in late 2002. However, Codemasters have taken the time to improve significantly over the PS2 original.

The TOCA series has always been given a lukewarm reception by the gaming press but has always loved by true racing fanatics.

GRAPHICS 8/10

The graphics in the TOCA series have never been 'top of the line', but this is because whereas every other driving game engines can only handle six cars on the track at one time, the TOCA series has always featured around fourteen or so. This obviously puts much greater strain on the graphics engine/host machine. The XBox version of TOCA further improves on the PS2 version by upping the maximum number of cars on the track to a heady 20 (depending on the race), six more than the PS2 !
In addition, Codemasters have taken the opportunity to further polish the overall look, with much better lighting effects, and whereas the PS2 version looked a bit rough round the edges (a bit jaggy), all the cars on the XBOX version are crisply defined.
Because the TOCA series are circuit rather than street based, this does result in rather un-interesting track side detail. This is pretty unavoidable due to the nature of the locations of the real circuits. However, spectators are still just flat cardboard cut outs, which does tend to detract from the overall look and feel, and whilst not especially noticable during racing, stands out like a sore thumb during replays.
But, even with all those cars, the game rips along at a fantastic 60fps with no slow down (not something that could be levelled at the PS2 version).

SOUND 9/10

At last, no hair dryers ! Yup, engine sounds actually sound like engines, from the rumble of Aussie V8s to the high cam sounds of the four cylinder British touring cars. And all presented in lovely 5.1 surround (as opposed to just Dolby Pro-Logic on the PS2).

PRESENTATION 5/10

The TOCA series has always had a pretty 'low rent' feel and this latest instalment doesn't do anything to change that, right from the fuzzy intro to the lifeless in game menus. Considering that this game ushers in the life of Ryan McKane, the game title screen, which is basically an office is pretty damn lifeless. Ryan just sits there reading the paper. Surely Codemasters could have animated this section, showing Ryan talking to other people, playing pinball or even playing a racing game on the computer (oh the irony !).

GAMEPLAY 9/10

This is the really important bit and as always, Codemasters have done the business where it counts.
Lets get one thing clear from the start, the TOCA series has always tried to be as realistic as possible. If you have no idea how to race properly and subscribe to the ham fisted on off arcade school of motoring, then prepare to rethink your driving style or do very badly at this game.
Everything behaves as it does in the real world, if you mess things up and spin the car, then basically you have knackered your race up. There's no Days Of Thunder sudden comebacks. After a major off, if you drive fantastically well then you might just be able to get yourself out of last place, maybe even into the points, but forget winning. Unforgiving ? you betcha. But that's always been the whole point of the TOCA series, and importantly you've got no one to blame but yourself (unless you get involved in a pile up), because unlike just about every other racing game out there, TOCA does not cheat. Whatever happens to you can happen to the computer controlled cars. There's no artificial elastic band catch up system to keep the cars together. If you drive badly then you will lose, if you drive well you will win and the computer won't cheat you out of your victory.
Remember how the cars in Sega GT were welded to the track ? Well forget that here, they hit you, you hit them and all sorts of carnage results, expect to be tbe cause and victim of many a pile up.
Cars duck and dive and jossle with you and each other. No other driving game makes you feel like you are really in the middle of a pack of nutters like TOCA.

The latest in the TOCA series tries to add a new twist to the driving genre by creating a plot and having a central character - 'Ryan Mckane'. Here you are 'treated' to a rather wooden plot full of characters you couldn't give a stuff about (especially Ryan) and it's all a bit cheesy and the cut scenes have the same low production quality as the front end opening cut scene.
Unfortunately you have to wade your way through Ryan's career mode in order to unlock cars to use in championship mode. The other sticking point is the fact that you can't qualify. The computer tends to stick you in the middle of the pack, whilst your main rival for the series always starts on pole (sorry guys, this really sucks).
However, once you've got career mode out of the way, you are free to create your own championships with the cars/tracks you've unlocked. Here's where for racing fans the real appeal of TOCA lies.
In the PS2 version even in championship mode, grid positions were random, however, in the XBox version you can now qualify, at last !

Multiplayer is limited to 4 player split screen, no link up or LIVE access which is a major disapointment.

OVERALL 8/10
This is definitely the best 'racing' game on XBox. It's not the prettiest or best presented and the lack of LIVE or link up support is a bit criminal really, but is otherwise is top of the hill.
Don't be fooled into buying a prettier but shallower rival.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 04/02/03, Updated 04/02/03