It’s also known as World Circuit in the United States, or MicroProse Formula One Grand Prix (but nothing to do with Formula 1 Grand Prix).
Though I’m not a fan of the genre, I was impressed by this 3D simulation, which is both well-executed and easy to pick up. It features all sixteen circuits from the 1991 season, faithfully reproduced. The team and driver names are all fictional (I suppose the licence was too expensive), but they can be freely modified (and saved) by the player.
Whilst the simulation aims to be precise, and the driving as realistic as possible, numerous aids are available to help the novice: an indestructible vehicle, braking assistance, automatic gear changes, trajectory correction … it’s almost as if the computer is driving for you. Of course, you can deactivate these helping hands, increase the difficulty, and modify all race parameters as you wish. Want a quick game? It’s possible! Want to tackle the entire championship season, including training, qualifying, and the sixty-odd laps? That’s possible too!
[“Want the polish too?” – Ed.]
The most motivated players will linger over car settings (types of tyres, brakes, thingamajig, whatchamacallit … oh, I know nothing about this!); I prefer to enjoy pushing competitors to the roadside and crumpling some metal!
But what do all these blokes with their flags want from me?
Its only weak point might be the so-called “multiplayer” mode, which simply involves passing the controls back and forth at regular intervals. A bit too easy… That said, I didn’t try it.
