TT Isle of Man – The Game: first hands-on on the Tourist Trophy game [EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW]

The date is March 15, 2018. On this day we will find out if the French software house Kt racing will have hit the mark with TT Isle of Man, the new title dedicated to the historic race of Tourist Trophy. This fascinating (and dangerous) competition is held every year on the British Isle and our readers probably know it very well. Perhaps some even took part in it as a private person. Even in this case, however, you can get back behind the wheel of a top-class vehicle on curves of the Island remaining comfortably seated in the living room at home with our console could be a satisfying experience. More than three months after its release in stores and more than ten years after that historic first chapter came out on PlayStation 2, we had the opportunity to do the first hands-on on a demo of the game, trying to get our first impressions.

Let's start by saying that we tried it demo of the Windows PC version, therefore potentially the most refined and profound from a graphic point of view. In this respect the KT he did an admirable job, mapping all the with impressive precision 60 km of the route, also checking the altitudes and obstacles placed along the road. The best impact is obviously had by running in first-person view, where the sound of the wind and the sensation of speed are truly remarkable. In our exclusive interview with Julian Mharzi, producer of KT Racing, we talked about how his artistic team went directly to the island, taking thousands of photographs to precisely map the more than 200 curves of the official route, then completing the work with laser surveys and in-depth geographical documentation.
Even from the point of view of the means the game seems very promising. In total we have 10 brands with 40 different liveries, all derived from real Tourist Trophy teams. The drivers, however, are 23 in total, all participating in the 2016 and 2017 editions of the race. Obviously a precise sampling was made of both the characteristics of the individual motorbikes and the noises, so the more experienced will be able to recognize one Kawasaki From one Suter without even looking at the screen. The experience promises to be decidedly immersive.

From a gameplay point of view, taking into account that the game is still in development and that we have been able to try it for a short time for now, TT Isle of Man offers the three characteristic game modes (Quick Race, Multiplayer also locally, Career) and two types of car behavior, namely Beginner or Professional. The first is naturally dedicated to those who have little experience with the world of motorbikes and simply want to enjoy the scenery and the adrenaline of the Tourist trophy. The Pro, on the other hand, completely leaves control of the motorbike to the rider, who will have to take into account all the dynamic variables that can influence his ride. If with Beginner it is possible to nail a curve as if you were in a car, in Pro incorrect braking will inevitably make you lose control of the bike. Balance and attention will play a fundamental role, as all the roughness of the road, from potholes to pavements, have also been physically reproduced very well. Don't think you can climb a sidewalk at 200 km/h without risking falling.

The feeling, in general, is that we are faced with a title with enormous potential and a decidedly important license. Will it be enough to beat the competition from MotoGP and SBK? We'll find out in March.