So I’ve been staying in my comfort zone with this for the most part. WRC 2 cars are pretty much exactly what the WRC cars were like in the previous game, before they introduced the batshit new cars for the top formula. I’ve been having lots of fun with them, but I haven’t featured in leaderboards because you need to be in the top 1000 for those. And that’s only ever going to happen with a WRC car, and they just felt too quick for my addled reflexes.
Anyway, I noticed last night that they’re doing esports differently this year and running a global event during every round of the real life championship. So this weekend it’s a couple of batshit etch-a-sketch stages from Monte Carlo.
I’ve never enjoyed Monaco in racing games, rally or F1, so I didn’t expect to get into the top 1000. The prize is big (final live on wrc plus at the end of year rally venue, which is japan this year, with Hyundai i20 for the outright winner) so competition is pretty stiff.
Anyway, I practiced the two stages in the event and got to the mid-pack in each after a days practice.
Then I had a crack at the event, and to my horror, discovered the weather was very, very different. Still, I managed mid-pack on the last of five allowed goes, despite some clumsiness.
I still don’t like the Monte Carlo stages, but I will admit to feeling some satisfaction with those feckin hundreds of hairpin bends.
I think I finally feel comfortable with the big WRC cars now, so I’m going to try and work my way up the eSports ladder on rallies that I much prefer to this one.
The format is surprisingly good though. It puts a lot of pressure on getting it right over the course of two stages. I was quite surprised.