Grand Prix Simulator:
Another highly playable game from the Code Masters, this time a Grand Prix Simulator. Each
circuit is basic and viewed all on one screen viewed from above. Cars are very simple and
blocky, hardly representing GP cars and the best way to drive them is by sliding, also not
like GP cars. To critisise the car graphics and handling is to miss the point, the driving
style is very playable, although it does take some getting used to. The aim of the game is
to not finish last. Not finishing last enables you to proceed to the next circuit.
There are many things designed to stop you doing this including the opposition car - can be difficult to pass - oil, and bridges. Being able to drive over and under bridges is the key to succeeding in this game. No matter how well you do, it is possible to lose a large amout of time stuck under a bridge.
Other features which enhance this game are: great title screen music and excellent speech sampling - great considering this was sold as a budget game.
Ironman Offroad:
Ironman Offroad is another great racing game where the whole circuit fits on one screen
and is viewed from above. This game is more fun than Grand Prix Simulator and is the sort
of game that you can find yourself moving from first to last through one corner and last
to first at the next. Thrills and spills at each turn. The in game music is great and the
variation in circuits works well. You can improve your car's performance by collecting
money and nitros and buying more equipment between races. The surface of each circuit
contaisn realistic gradient which requires skill to negotiate quickly.
Conclusion:
Ironman offroad has the advantage of being better looking, more fun with more variation. Grand Prix Simulator, however, is very precise with some circuits requiring a particular strategy you need to learn in order to proceed. There is a bug in Ironman Offroad in that you can get stuck on some circuits for apparently no reason, thus delaying you enough to let your opponents catch up. This makes the game more exciting, but can be frustrating.
Personally, I prefer Grand Prix Simulator but both games are great.
by Richard Mace 2000