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Grand Prix Challenge Review - PS2

Racing games have sure been big on the ps2. Titles such Gran Turismo 3 - A spec 3, Colin McRae 3, V8 Supercars have been very popular yet with the Formula One games, there hasn't really been a standout. Gran Turismo 4 is still a while off with a likely preview at E3. Meanwhile, developers Melbourne House step onto the grid with a respectable racing title under their belt in Le Mans 24 hours. Can the local boy do well with Grand Prix Challenge (GPC) in the F1's or will they fail to qualify?

Game Play

GPC lives up to it's name when you first play it as it sure is a challenge. Controls are very sensitive and too much over steering will result in your car cutting more grass than a lawn mowing business. Accelerating too quickly in a turn whilst still slow will spin the car around in circles where it's very hard to get back into the race. After a while though, you will get the hang of the controls and finishing first after mastering these is a rewarding feeling.

There are a number of modes that include free races, challenge, grand prix, time trial and grand prix challenge. Grand Prix consists of racing one game where a victory will unlock more tracks, Challenge where you compete in a full season and Grand Prix Challenge where you race numerous tracks in themes, i.e. Asia-Pacific. GPC contains the F1 license so all 17 tracks and drivers (including Australia's own Mark Webber) and cars are included with appropriate sponsors and paraphernalia. Damage is included in the Challenge mode, keep ramming your front into the opposition and it will fly off making steering so much harder.

Also in Challenge you have to watch the way you overtake, taking short cuts and barging tactics will result in a flag and a notice telling you to slow down or else you will be further penalized. So strategic racing is required in this mode. Lots of options are available, you can adjust your tyres, break and pit in. Pitting in allows you to change your tyres if you miscalculated before the race or if an adjustment is necessary. You only have the choice to pit in however, before the race, not just whenever you feel like which is a bit of restriction.

Graphics

Graphically GPC does the important things right in any racing game. What I mean is that there is no slowdown and everything runs smoothly. Any racing game with slowdown loses that fast, fluent element which is crucial. The car models are decent and all the appropriate sponsors are included, sponsors are also evident over the tracks. Cars flying down the straight at high speed show trails of air rushing off it. Backgrounds are adequate and some nice shadows from the environment hover over the track. Nice little touches like grass clippings stuck on the wheel after a ride in the ... (continued next page)