Thanx for your great review - faster (and more detailed) than i could
And thanx for the link to the hinterland - clip (I just ordered it to make my mind and play)

I also ordered TORQUE 3D prof. for just €69,74 (that's cheap!) with paypal.
it just took me 2 minutes + download (~1.5h)
[i already own TORQUE 2D]

So let's start diving in...