Formula One Challenge

Since classic Spectrum game Formula One from 1985 most of the Formula One management games were quite similar to each other - after all the Spectrum game set the standards for future when it comes to racing presentation, so very few people tried to avoid repeating the original in their own productions. The 1994 Amiga game Formula One Challenge did not tried to be original, which would be fine, but there were some important bits missing from the game that spoiled the whole effort.

The basic elements were similar to what we all knew in other games - you take over a team, sign the contract with engine manufacturer, contracts with drivers and pit crew, but after that the problems have started with the game. First of all you choose car set up, but you get no feedback from the driver, so it is hard to guess if you chose the right one or not. What is more if you won’t make it to the 26 that will take part in actual race you don’t even get the result you drivers have reached in qualifications, so you know that your car wasn’t good enough, but not by how much. Same story with the race - you get the lap time, but still no feedback from driver, so you can only guess if the setup was right or not.

Overall a simple Formula One management game that offered basic options, but very little above it - the graphic side and the concept were all right, but when you got into details the whole project was falling apart because of the missing data that were vital to actually run the team. How can you guess if you chose the right set up when you can’t take part in test laps, you only make qualifications and can’t even learn the time if you did not get into top 26?

Formula One Challenge videos