Just got my game out today (i know its late but what the hell, it was worth the £17 i payed now)
First Thing - Editor
Very easy to edit riders names. Took me around 30mins, as i only had to edit 2 letters per rider, and the team names took moments.
Disappointing we cant edit stats yet as the ones in game are even more off than on PCM12.
Second Thing - Tutorial
Again, its nice and simple and gives you all the basic info you need to jump right in.
It would hve been better in video form, or if the text was easier to read.
If you dont know cycling, it gives you no idea of tactics.
Third Thing - Controls
Fairly intuitive, and nicely updated from last year.
Only having to hold A instead of tapping it is much nicer.
Changing gears works very well, unless your going downhill.
Turning is quite straightforward, as it only requires a bit of input to avoid a crash.
The radio system is so much easier and clearer, i actually use it properly this year.
Fourth Thing - HUD/GUI
Again intuitive.
It misses the danger meter as crashes now seem very random, but it is more realistic.
The profile is easy to see and understand.
Speed and effort is easy to read quickly and accuratly.
Overall this is potentially the best bit of the game
Fifth Thing - Gameplay
The AI is very good so far.
Sprints work, climbs work, attacks work.
It is clever and realistic.
Stage 1 - Prologue
I picked Millar.
I've got to say TT's are very bad.
Pressing A to increase speed is easy, having to repeatedly tap it is not.
It gets worse when you need to alternate tapping LB and RB.
Then you have to corner, while doing the others, and its impossible.
Braking is too severe, as is the penalty for brushing the edge.
However despite all this i was in the top20 somehow.
If someone could explain if im TTing wrong it would be greatly appreciated.
Stage 2 - Liege to Seraing.
I skipped the first few sections, a fantastic ability.
I played the IS with Farrar. I mistimed it horribly and was 20th in the P when we reached it, but that was my bad.
Knowing when to move to the big ring when not sprinting is tricky when going downhill.
Played the final section with Martin.
Followed Vansummeren till 3km to go. Switched to Gilberts wheel. Came round him with 500m to go, got passed by a rocket powered Voeckler before finishing 5th. The uphill sprint worked well.
Stage 3 - Vise to Tournai
Skipped the first few sections.
Played the IS with Farrar. Came 7th behind Pettachi (2nd of P).
Played the finish with Farrar. Set the train up with 10km to go, they finally came together with 5km to go, bit slow. Hunter leading at the final turn, 300m to go, i crashed. Haussler was 4th, so i would have won. But at least it was realistic as Farrar crashed.
I must say i agree with you on your observations. The only thing I would say is with the time-trial stages,you need to stop tapping the LB/RB buttons before the corners. (If you notice even in real life, the riders reposition their hands before they go around the corner) I did the prologue a few times before I finally was satisfied with my time-trialing ability. I will tell you...BE PREPARED for the longer time trials. They can and will wear you out! The only thing that I can say needs to be done is an update on the riders stats. Tejay is so much more talented than his stats show him as in the game. But I can't even accelerate away from the peloton with him as his acceleration and climbing stats are mediocre at best. A stat editor would be nice, but if it wasn't released with the game, most likely it won't be added on later. (Plus it kind of keeps us from making an "I win" rider.)
PCM.Daily NFL Fantasy Football Champion: 2012 PCM.Daily NHL Prediction Game Champion: 2013 PCM.Daily NFL Prediction Game Champion: 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2021
Stage 1 - Prologue
I picked Millar.
I've got to say TT's are very bad.
Pressing A to increase speed is easy, having to repeatedly tap it is not.
It gets worse when you need to alternate tapping LB and RB.
Then you have to corner, while doing the others, and its impossible.
Braking is too severe, as is the penalty for brushing the edge.
However despite all this i was in the top20 somehow.
If someone could explain if im TTing wrong it would be greatly appreciated.
Just to check what you're doing - in TT you can hold A down to stay at a constant speed. So off the start you might:
- Before the start Tap A to get it to maximum. Hold A to maintain that sprint effort until you're happy your rider has sped up (and without draining the sprint bar).
- Then stop holding A. At the same time start tapping LB and RB. This brings your effort to a level below sprint. Tap LB and RB faster if you want to make more effort and when you are happy Hold A. Your rider will then make that level of effort until you revert to sprinting (tap A) or adjust the effort by going back to LB/RB.
I find that relatively easy. A tip for cornering is to let go of the A button early - after about a second your rider's effort will have dropped and be free wheeling. You'll now be able to get round most corners without breaking.
In the braking matter one quick tip. When you are approaching the corner try to see as fast as you can if it is a slight one a very sharp bend. If it is a slight one just press the brake button a really little tiny bit so the speed bar goes all grey but the rider kinda keeps is speed good. If it is a sharp bend well you really have to do some harder breaking and lose a lot of speed but it is easy to recover with the sprint button.
![imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg](https://imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg)
