I'm at stage 8 of the Tour de France mode now and I must say that it's an enjoyable game so far, but with some missed opportunities.
Strong points:
- 1:1 scale with playable and simulated sections: so far I find this a really good solution to keep the authenticity of the stages and still make it perfectly playable. 20 mins - 1hr per stage fits the console platform perfectly.
- Replayability with different teams and riders will be fairly high for seen the type of the game. You also never know what's going to happen, just like in reality.
- As far as I know the only Real Time Strategy Sports game on consoles
- The way how the downhill sections are displayed and animated. It is pure joy to see the peloton go down a slope
Weak Points:
- Not enough control over other riders of your team:
* It should be made possible to determine the pace of your team mates when they're taking relays.
* It should be made possible to tell your team mates to sprint for green or polka dot points and then wait for the bunch again.
* Your team mates should sprint automatically at the finish line, especially when they're sprinters.
- Not possible to define a pre-race strategy (like assigning one of your team mates to participate in an early breakaway if there is one set up)
- Commands are dropped once the simulation part of the game starts. This is a big mistake as it's completely messing up and limiting race tactics.
- Not all commands seem to have the desired effect (conserve energy, wait for me, alliances)
- Too many bugs in general (see bug thread
)
- Drawing distance is too short
- Lack of licenses for all team names and teams, but I can live with that. It's just weird for an official game to have not all the necessary licenses.
- Right analog stick on PS3 should be used to look around 360°. The current L2 R2 views are way too restricted.