Let's play: Toca Race Driver 2

By Martin Richardson

PS2 owners have been blessed recently by a string of impressive driving titles such as Burnout 3 and the latest in the Colin McRae rally series - and Codemasters are looking to get to the front of the grid with Toca Race Driver 2.

Like the original TRD, the game places you in the role of a budding racer keen to make your mark on the international stage.

Toca Race Driver 2 Format: PS2/Xbox/PC Price: £39.99 Publisher: Codemasters Genre: Driving

Backed by your jocular Scottish mechanic, you build up a reputation through your performances on the track and soon acquire an agent and interest from TV companies.

Unlike other games which focus on one racing style,TRD2 places you at the wheel of 15 different types of vehicle - including V8 supercars, classic cars, Formula Ford, rally and even super trucks.

There are 35 different cars in total, 33 championships and a massive 52 racing circuits, including Donnington Park, Kyalami and Surfers Paradise.

But these are mere bells and whistles; the real substance on the game is the bumper-to-bumper racing.

This is where TRD2 really excels as you jostle for position with other drivers, including a few you get to know personally through the single-player narrative.

A neat learning curve means you will soon outpace your rivals in the early races but as the game progresses you can expect to be battling for position through every corner and looking over your shoulder as much as focusing on the track ahead.

The varied nature of the championships forces you to adapt your racing style for each - just try breaking late and getting through on the inside of a hairpin in one of the super trucks - meaning the career mode never gets dull.

Alternatively you can race online against up to eight other players in one-off races or full blown championships and taunt your rivals as you take the chequered flag.

VERDICT Graphics: 92% Playability: 94% Sound: 80% Lastability: 95% Overall: 92%

Xbox and PC owners already know the joy of this particular title as the PS2 release has lagged six months behind.

But Codemasters have spent the time well, building a new graphics engine from the ground up, allowing up to 21 cars to screech away from the grid and into the first corner without a hint of slow down.

Add to this the detailed models which disintegrate before your eyes should you not treat them with due care and you have a truly immersive gaming experience.

Such is the game's appeal, that defeat in any race means you just want to strap yourself in straight away for another go and you'll be playing this for months.