Lotus Challenge: Web Wombat: Games

Since then, we've spent more time with the game and while we still like it more than we do boiled cabbage, it's not the GT3 killer we were hoping for.

At its core, Lotus Challenge is a highly sophisticated simulation, but don't be put off by this as it can also be highly rewarding.

There's plenty of variety, which is an essential aspect of today's driving games and while it's not enough to make this a must-have, it's still a fair effort from coders Kuju.

The main game mode is the challenge, but there are also single races and the usual time trials and free races. Once you start a challenge you're in for the long haul as you'll have to complete races, stunts and other challenges. The end result unlocks new cars and tracks.

Upon first taking a spin in one of the Lotus cars, it becomes apparent that, yes, there is a steep learning curve and, yes, it is a tough game to master.

"The old cars suck" - according to Mr Barker

The physics are almost too real, and this doesn't increase the fun factor by much. The in-game cars are supposed to mirror their real-life counterparts, but sadly this isn't always the case.

Of the forty or so Lotus models on offer, only a handful offer linear, predictable handling. The rest either have an acute understeer or suffer from bad weight distribution, often putting them into dangerous spins during relaxed cornering.

Perhaps it's because everything is modelled so accurately that it's so easy to scupper your chances in a race. Whatever the causes, it's not to say that Lotus Challenge is a bad game.

On the contrary. The graphics are pretty spiffy, with a teensy bit of jagginess, but the sensation of speed when racing from the 'bumper cam' is very realistic indeed.

There is mixture of good and bad tracks. Some are great and twisty, with plenty of technical areas, off camber corners and even varying surface types.

But then some are pretty average with an overabundance of straights that induce severe tedium.

Lotus has many good points, and a few bad points...

The stunt modes help break up the races quite nicely and I was surprised to find out that you had to drive a manual for the stunts.

It makes perfect sense really… Lotus Challenge also semi-trains you on the deeper subject of 'car dynamics in the real world' during the early stages of the stunt levels. There's even a commentator who will either laud you, or screw you (verbally, that is).

The game has an amazing physics engine and it is perhaps this intricate and very complex system, where the car reacts to situations on the road, that brings the game down a bit.

It's possible (via the LSD) to spin only one wheel, which I find very cool. At the same time, it is hugely frustrating, as trying to do the simplest of things can turn out to be an excruciating experience.

Perhaps the game is too realistic and after the first five minutes of, "Wow - this is so cool. I'm driving with three wheels!" the game loses a bit of its impact. Even so, the damage model, like was mentioned in the preview, has to be seen to be believed.

Lotus Challenge is an enormously entertaining game, but at the end of the day it's going to take a very committed gamer to conquer it. The racing can be quite exciting and multiplayer bouts are good too. Perhaps with a little more play testing, this could have been much better, but as it stands, it's still a worthy driving game, just try before you buy.

Game: Lotus Challenge
System: Playstation 2
Players: 1-4
Memory Card: Yes
Developer: Kuju
Distributor: Gamenation

Rating: 70%

(Ratings Key/Explantion)

Lotus Challenge is on the shelves now.

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