By: Revell-Monogram
Copyright (c) 1994 Lee Perkins
This might be the wildest interpretation of the term "Multimedia" yet: A superb 3D auto-racing simulation on CD-ROM, packaged with a model of an exotic European speed machine! After making an agonizing choice between a Bugatti EB110, an ItalDesign Nazca, a Lamborghini LP500-S (whimper!), or a Porsche 911 Slant Nose, your next task will be to get the CD online pronto, because that is where the REAL fun begins. I am truly hamfisted when it comes to assembling model kits; European Racers' online instructional video alone proved to be worth its weight in three decade's worth of spilled model adhesive, but the game itself is "something else" again!
Okay, so you have your dream machine sitting on the bitumen at last. There are four courses to choose from: Stuttgart Screamer, Zurich Switchback, Barcelona Corkscrew and Sicilian Jack-knife, playable at three levels of difficulty. Actually, the race is a two-part affair, since you have to drive to your desired course first. This tricky business is a kind of Le Mans start with a twist; but don't be too hasty in flooring the old go-faster pedal, since the hedgerows along your route fairly bristle with radar speed-traps. As this stage is also ran under a time limit, a few tickets, running out of fuel or damage to the car could spell defeat, well before the actual course is in sight.
European Racers is a few definite cuts above your average PC car-racing simulation. It offers all the features one would expect in a real race situation, such as a helicopter overview of the course, pit crew consultations, vehicle damage and weather effects on performance. The main visuals are not quite as striking as those found on the arcade version of Sega's Virtua Racing... Believe me, any other comparisons between these two makes a verrry close race indeed!
Reviewed on: PC 386 SX-33, Sound Blaster Pro audio card
Recommended retail price: $89.95 Suggested audience rating: U (Unrestricted) Challenge: 75% Entertainment: 90% Sound: 75% Graphics: 90%Software supplied by: AMI Computer Services Pty. Ltd.