TOCA Race Driver 3 was always going to run the risk of 📖being all wheel trim and no tyre.

One of the few criticisms of TOCA 2 was that at times it spread itself far too thin. The gameplay was generally tight, but it tended to fray at the ends when 🗹it plunged its dipstick into 🍬less familiar turf, the rally sections being particularly offensive.

Keeping this fresh in mind, TOCA 3 could have taken the easy option and streamlined the series into aౠ few specialisms, ramp up the visuals and sell itself to racing game-starved Xbox 1 owners who, after watc💝hing Gotham 3 and Test Drive from a distance, are hungrier than a Pac-Man version of Pavarotti.

Yes indeed, they could have done that. But moderati🦩on has never been the TOCA way.

TOCA Race Driver 3 is the most diverse racing game any of us can remember, and we🅘've been gaming for longer than we've actually been alive.

The game covꦕers six disciplines: oval racing, open-wheel, off-road, GT, classics, and - wouldn't you believe it - ꦐTOCA's even managed to cram in some touring cars.

With over 80 tracks on offer - including Silverstone and Brands Hatch, the l꧋ongevity of TOCA 3 is never in question. Far more likely to send inquisitive minds in ♍a spin is the Eagle-to-Turkey ratio of the vehicles featured within.

TOCA 3 continues the series' tradition of emulating the handling of its cars perfectly. Each car has its own unique feel about it; from the smooth road-hugging of the♊ Renault Clio V6 to the bouncy chaos of the off-road buggies, each car feels so natural, so right.

Naturally, with so many cars encompassed on one disc there are bound to be a few turds; karting is irredeemably dismal, while Monster Trucks may𝔉 very well handle like space hoppers in real life, but a pleasant driving experience it ain't. On balance though, TOCA 3 offers more than we could possibly have hoped for.