C&VG


3D Grand Prix
By Amsoft
Amstrad CPC464

 
Published in Computer & Video Games #50

3D Grand Prix

Just what the Amstrad needed. A really nice formula one racing game! 3D Grand Prix has great graphics, neat scrolling - but *lousy* sound.

This race car sounds like someone is playing a demented organ in the cockpit - and this really lets an otherwise excellent game down. We suggest that you kill the sound and make your own vrooom, vrooom noises as you play.

OK, moaning over. Let's take a look at the rest of the game. What you get is a driver's eye view of the cockpit and the race track ahead in regular Pole Position style. When you start Racing, you notice the nice touches the programmers Mick O'Neill and Dave Mends have included.

3D Grand Prix

Like the rear view mirrors which show other cars looming up behind you. Like the front wheels which actually turn as you blast around the bends. Like the steering wheel which also turns. Like the nasty spins, you can get yourself into going around the bends too fast! The "car" slides away from you most realistically.

You compete on eight grand prix circuits for a season - scoring points as you go. You must finish in the top three of each race to qualify for the next. Tracks include Silverstone, Zanvoort and Kyalami - spelt wrong on the inlay! There doesn't appear to be any relation between the real circuits and the computer ones.

Game action is fun - overtaking can be a problem until you realise that you must stick to the inside of the corners and take a tight line when attempting to get past the computer cars.

3D Grand Prix - with a bit more fine-tuning - could be a great Amstrad game. But that naff sound... Yuk!