You probably don’t seem to realize just how iconic a game Virtua Racing was. It took the realm into true 3D racing, while at the same time presenting a wonderful new visual style, complete with four dynamic camera angles. And it was just fun to play, whether you enjoyed it on the Sega Genesis (with SVP tech!) or taking a turn with the quirky but enjoyable Sega Saturn port – by Time Warner Interactive? (You okay, Sega?)
Apparently, New Star Games understands the importance of said legacy, putting its pedal to the metal with the arcade/sim style game New Star GP. It captures most of the thrills of racing, but does so with a beautiful retro touch and a lot to do.
It comes up short in certain areas – namely with the lack of online multiplayer, which would’ve been huge – but what’s here remains a solid endeavor for anyone that enjoyed the arcade games of old, or just wants a neat little sim to partake in. The fact that New Star GP covers both of these bases so well is quite the feat.
The Best of Both Worlds
New Star GP does have behavior like a sim, as you’ll want to keep good relations with your team while also managing certain elements with each race, such as watching your tires and fuel (relax, it’s not overkill) and adjusting for weather changes. Of course, your pit will help out here, and you can even tweak a few things if necessary.
That doesn’t mean the game’s lackluster when it comes to thrills, though. Quite the opposite. New Star Games has done reasonably well with keeping the controls nice and neat. It feels like a sim, but doesn’t burden you with sim-like qualities, with arcade-style follow-through. The end result is a mix that is surprisingly potent, and a lot of fun to play.
There’s also a fine line that you follow with other drivers. A little friendly rivalry can go a long way. However, go too far and it’ll likely bite you down the, ahem, road. That and making sure your team is in good spirits, because if you discourage them too much, it’ll hit you where you least expect it. This adds a nice layer of strategy to an already enjoyable racing game. Oh, and upgrade your car whenever you can, using your BUX currency. You’ll thank me later.
New Star GP also gives you plenty to do. Along with main races, you can also take part in eliminator events, as well as going over tracks in reverse. You can also race locally with up to four players, with a nice split-screen effect. Only downside is that there’s no online multiplayer, which I believe could’ve really opened up a community here. Fingers crossed that the developer considers it for a future patch.
Overall, New Star GP has no shortage of great content, all with gameplay that teeters between the fine line of business and fun. But it handles both capably, so you should have no trouble hopping behind the wheel of this one.
The Presentation Is a Blast From the Past
Along with gameplay that holds strongly, New Star GP also benefits from a decidedly retro presentation. And I like that.
The visuals are definitely reminiscent of Virtua Racing. The polygonal design is really cool, and the track designs bring the best out of your driving skills. Meanwhile, it does all this with a very smooth frame rate and camera angles aplenty, along with other options to get the most out of your ride.
Menus are easy to read too. It’s easy to see how each of your staff members are feeling, so you can click in and see where they’re at. You can also keep track of your rivalries pretty well, too, and see where you need to go next. No complaints here.
As for the sound, it’s good. The music isn’t amazing by any means, but it’s decidedly in place with the theme of the game, so you won’t mind it. The sound effects are the thing, though. The engine noises are as good as they can get, at least when it comes to arcade-style F1 racing.
New Star GP definitely goes the, ahem, extra mile (mind the car puns, they’re doing laps in my head) when it comes to performance. And what’s more, you can get it for a good price ($30), and have enough left over to snag Virtua Racing for Nintendo Switch as well. (Trust me, it rocks.)
Pole Position
I think not including online multiplayer was an interesting gaffe, as New Star GP would’ve benefitted from a nice retro racing league. But outside of that, this one definitely has no trouble scoring a first place win.
The presentation is top notch and reminds us of the days of old; the gameplay is surprisingly in-depth and yet mellow enough now to overburden you with ridiculousness; and it’s a blast with friends, albeit locally.
New Star GP reminds us that indie teams can still put a fresh spin on retro favorites. It’s well worth a go, especially if you’ve got spinning tires on your mind. (What? That’s how we think!)
GAMERHUB RATING: FOUR (out of FIVE) JOYSTICKS
Thank you to Outrageous PR for the review code!
