If you're going to make a game that's very sim-heavy, then you expect it to look the part. Sega GT 2002, the yardstick for judging titles such as Lotus Challenge, has got the right idea; as well as paying attention to authenticity, there's a decent sheen of visual flourish to the game too. Lotus Challenge, on occasions, looks as plastic and basic as Chase, with some extremely primitive trackside furniture to not bother looking at.

Handling, too, is rudimentary. While all the driving aids are present and correct, and there's a decent sensation of control, you never get the quality of feel that you get from the best driving games around. There's little impression of weight and power being conveyed to you though the joypad as you pootle your way round the tracks. If you're buying into a brand of race car associated with throbbing levels of horsepower, you want the cars to rev with throaty glee and leave clouds of dust in their wake. You want gleaming, detailed bodywork and stunning attention to detail that silences even the spoddiest petrolhead. You just don't get enough of that with Lotus Challenge. Even the high-speed crashes feel plasticky and a bit cheap, as the cars bounce unconvincingly about the place like oversized Micro Machines, with only minimal feeling of impact and damage.

Overall, it's like a budget version of Sega GT 2002, and unless you've got a fetish for Lotuses, you should stick with that. A sim should excel in the aspects that make it a sim, and, in these respects, Lotus Challenge is merely average. It does nothing harmful or shameful, but won't leave you with any fond memories or cravings for more.

1. Lots of Lotuses to play with
2. Stunts, challenges and events to try
3. Driver aids aplenty

1. Cars look dreary
2. Trackside detail is pretty poor

Power
Remedial visuals and - shock! horror! - no option for a custom soundtrack. Underwhelming.

Style
The cars look the right shape and colour, but the actual detail on them is sparse.

Immersion
The handling is convincing enough, but you can't help feeling that it could've been better.

Lifespan
There are umpteen modes to coast through, as well as plenty of extras to unlock.

Summary
A passable enough driving game. Not majorly flawed, but it's dwarfed by Sega's own recent take on automobile realism.