Name:  - Grand Prix 3
Hasbro Description:
The most exciting open wheel racing in Europe is
now on U.S. shores and you can be part of it all on your PC. You'll find yourself
behind the wheel in a Formula One cockpit traveling at speeds in excess of 200 mph!
If you always dreamed of competing in a real Formula One race, then strap yourself in and
get ready for a heart-pounding adrenaline rush like you've never felt before.
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Advance through five difficulty levels from Rookie to Ace
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Utilize 8 driving aids for better finishes
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Race in changing weather conditions
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Compete in Quick Races, Non-Championship Races, or a full championship season
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Improve car performance with detailed analysis and set-up options
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Plan full race strategies
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Experience multiplayer races on LAN for 2-4 players +
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10/24/2000 - I have a lot of experience with MICROPROSE Grand Prix games - including buying the original version the first week it hit the stores, then anxiously waiting for multi-player. Their original game was released before any wheels were on the market, so LEW and I used CH Products flight yokes and a NULL Modem cable... what a blast! After the awesome upgrade job they did on GP2, I was anxious for this new version. Wow... they finally added front wheels (similar to Papyrus Indy Car Racing) - that was an indicator of great things to come. As they did in GP2, these cars really get it on! Once you progress to taking off the training wheels, you get a real feel for the ponies that F1 cars have.
I reviewed the game with the Thrustmaster Force Feedback Wheel. The wheel's paddle shifters are "the way to go" when driving F1, and the force feedback was great!
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LAZ Review Breakdown
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85.4
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| First Impression and Game Installation |
My initial impression was very good. After anticipating the game, then seeing the screen shots... I was ready to "light this candle". This game came with a full manual and a good Readme.txt file. The game installation was easy, and uneventful - usually a good sign. I selected the maximum install option (318 meg) on my machine. The intro video was dramatic, and by the time I got in the game I was ready to go. I went straight to Quick Race and did a couple of laps with the keyboard! Man was I pumped. I immediately went to configure my wheel... and it happened. The configuration failed. After reading everything I could from their help documentation and online support, I had to send an email to their online support contact. To make a long story short, I was told a patch was coming that would fix the problem and I would have to wait. That was August 2000 - two months later and still no patch. I finally got tired of waiting, uninstalled the game; reinstalled it using a different wheel - and wahhhh lahhhh... it worked. This game could have warranted a top score for first impression, but waiting for the patch managed to take some air out of my balloon - and cuts their score in half. |
5.0
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| Configurable Options and Ease of Use |
This game offers excellent configurable options. Any game that takes the time to include options that enable you to configure menus - has gone the extra mile. The options are robust and easy to use. Their multi-player options are some of the best in any game you will find - with serial cable, modem, IPX, and TCPIP support! It is not very often you will find games that pay that much attention to multiplayer options. The car setup options are as intense as you could want, and they did an excellent job documenting (in their large manual) how to properly setup your car. |
9.5
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| Graphics |
They did an excellent job on the graphics in this game. Their tires simply look outstanding! I guess if you're going to add tires, you might as well do them right. The graphics are the most realistic looking of any of the current F1 sims I have seen. |
9.5
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| Video at Minimum and Maximum |
Maintaining a standard of excellence, their graphics looked outstanding at both high and low resolutions. Depending upon your video card and the resolution you run, your video card will get an expected workout when you come into areas where the cars get bunched up - there is just too much stuff required to draw. For that reason, I would recommend that you adjust your resolution specifically to work well in those high traffic areas. |
9.0
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| Sound |
The sound is excellent in the car (better than EA's F1 2000), but could definitely learn a few things from EA's F1 2000 when it comes to surrounding sounds. But I don't want you to feel let down, the car sound is good enough to carry the lack in surround sound. |
8.0
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| Beginner thru Advanced Use |
This game may have the most training wheels of any driving sim game available. Your littlest kid can get in the car and find his/her way around the track. As you gradually take off various beginner options, you are offered the comfort to move to the advanced options at a pace that is comfortable for you. You will be hard pressed to be able to run at the Pro level, 100% competition, full advanced options, with the pack breathing down your neck. There is plenty of room for fun at the top, and this game will deliver great thrills for as long as you are capable of running the controls. |
9.9
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| Multi-player |
Microprose offers great multi-player options: null modem cable, modem, IPX, and TCPIP. I love to see all of the connection options in a game, because when you have the itch and your ISP connection is stinking up the place - you still have other options. The interface is excellent, and really sets the standard what you want to see in all multi-player game areas. |
8.0
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| Help Instructions |
A large manual... but what a manual. These guys must be commended for still making a full size manual that is packed with great details and tons of actual screen shots. The rest of the sim makers should stand up and take notice to their commitment to quality documentation. Now if only they would integrate help inside the game (my normal irritation). However, if you don't have integrated help, at least they have an outstanding manual that does not require you to have to exit their program - you can simply open the manual while looking at the game. A special note here: if these guys added integrated help - they would be dangerously close to obtaining a rare perfect 10 in a category. That being said, their good score in this category directly reflects the job they did on their manual. |
9.5
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| Value (price for what you get) |
This game is a fair value and competitive with other sims in this category. |
8.0
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| Recommend to Others |
Once they finally get the first patch: If you have played F1 sims - you will want to upgrade to this game. If you have never played F1 sims, your waiting is over - this is the game. If the patch was out, this score would even be higher! |
9.0
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RECOMMENDATIONS to the Vendor
LAZ
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I would like to have some type of integrated paint program that would allow me to paint the cars and driver/team suits.
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I would also like to be able to put my photo where the driver's photo is (JPG format would be great). I can't wait until programs evolve to allow me to have my 3D body photo included in a game, so when I am on the podium I can see myself standing there looking at my buddies in 2nd and 3rd place!
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