Grand Prix 4 : Web Wombat: Games

Crammond, Geoff : Mastermind extraordinare and Grand Prix nut. Approach with caution, skilled in the arts of gameplay and physics…. No other information available…

I leaned back on my non-ergonomic chair and pondered what I had learned. Upon receiving the package known only as "Geoff Crammond's Grand Prix 4", I wondered out loud: "Who the hell is Geoff Crammond?".

10 minutes later, I was calmly giving the task of answering this question to the Mormon naming database supercomputer in Atlanta, a supercomputer focused on recording the names of every single person that had ever existed and that ever will exist.

I gave the computer one more name to deal with: Geoff Crammond…

It sat there, processing this new request and then came up with the above information. Hmm… Interesting (it must be said that at this point, I desperately wished for a beard to stroke thoughtfully -- rather than my own rather pathetic 13 o'clock shadow).

So it was that I approached GP4. But first, let me say this loud and clear: I Don't Like Grand Prix Games. There, now that it's out in the open and we know where we stand, we can get on with the review. I do, however, know when I'm standing (or sitting, as the case may be) in the presence of greatness.

Mr Crammond is, shall we say, not my personal hero, but he is the personal hero of many a Formula One fan. Even since the first Grand Prix, he has revolutionised the Formula One racing genre. With every new release, he makes a quantum leap in graphics, physics and gameplay - GP4 is no different.

The graphics engine is nothing short of amazing, and although I have noted some complaints of choppy frame rates from a few people, on my relatively moderate rig (consisting of a 1.2Ghz processor and a Geforce2 MX 400) it ran fine with a minimum of graphical tweaking.

Ouch! That's gonna cost 'em about $550,000...

The same can be said for the physics with cars breaking into parts upon hitting a wall and the customary wheel rolling (bouncing, sometimes) away from the carnage. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the control system.

To be honest, you can't play this game with a keyboard. You need a good steering wheel or you've got no chance of achieving any kind of control. For example: After an hour of playtime with the keyboard, you hit the keys just slightly too hard and instantly suffer from a fatal overdose of brick wall.

In contrast, with a wheel, control is a dream, especially on a nice, ergonomic Logitech Momo Force wheel, that allows even the most mediocre of drivers to outclass Schumacher with a minimum of effort and at only $499 AUS, what a bargain! (*accepts a large bag of cash on the side from Logitech*) Ahem.

Now that I've earned my graft, its back to the review (Ed's note: the game is actually better with a wheel).

The sound is the most disappointing component of GP4. The engine sound effects are, to put it nicely, PATHETIC! You'd expect some meaty growling at the very least, considering the horsepower under the average F1 hood, but what do we get? A weak "brrrrr", that sounds more like flatulence than anything that was ever placed under a bonnet - even an electric scooter sounds meaner than what's on offer here.

The ambient sounds make up for this, but still, it's a bit of let down for someone who wants to be immersed in driving an F1 racecar.

Moving along, and the interface is painful. Very painful. Some might go so far as to suggest that its single purpose in life is to be painful.

Trying to customize the controls is like trying to find a needle in a haystack, when the needle is made of hay and the stack is sitting in the middle of a minefield six miles in diametre. Should you actually manage to make it past the menu, you'll be surprised to discover that the interface becomes noticeably easier to use.

The Shoe Maker pits in 10 laps ahead of the rest

For all it's good points, GP4 is somewhat buggy, which is surprising considering the amount of play testing that it was supposed to have gone through. Strange things happen on the race course, including:

1. Cars driving around with no wheels.
2. Chassis parts falling out of the sky.
3. Cars careening off boundaries, the paintwork untouched.

Although these events seldom occur, you'd have to think that there are some unresolved issues inside the GP4 source code. Maybe these incidents are placed for humor value? Or perhaps not...

The AI component is strong, with the computer-controlled-drivers not being infallible, sometimes overshooting corners or braking a bit too soon. As a result, accidents happen frequently, usually involving multiple drivers.

Engines can stall, tires can pop, brakes can, well, break. If you prefer your F1 to be more arcadey, however, then these screw-ups can be turned off, but it's more fun to leave them on, if only to see the fancy accidents.

If you're an F1 junkie or a hardcore racing fan, GP4 is the best simulation that money can buy. If you're a newcomer, then buy it but be prepared to dedicate your mind, body and soul to playing this game or it will grind you into the tarmac under its hard leather racing boots. I have only one final comment to make: Grand Prix 4 is a great game.

But I still don't like it!

Game: Grand Prix 4
System: PC
Players: 1-multi
Online: Yes
Developer: Microprose
Distributor: Infogrames

Rating: 90%

(Ratings Key/Explanation)

Grand Prix 4 is on the shelves now.

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