One word says it all: wow! The first time you run the game it will "auto-calibrate" the graphics mode and detail for you. The way it does this is there is a 10 second clip of a recorded lap which runs in different graphics modes to measure the frame rate. This results in the game making the original decision for you regarding what frame rate the game will use for your computer. However, the result is not always correct, check it out before you start racing.
The models of the vehicles are intricately detailed, and beautifully painted. They went so far as to model the driver's head in the car so that it bobs left and right depending on the way the car is turning. The tyre textures are so specific, you can tell by looking at them what grade of tire you are currently driving on. The track side objects look good, but then this game isn't a scenery simulation.
Now what blew me away were the weather effects in the game. Over the years, so many driving sims have tried and tried to recreate the effects of rain without much success. Grand Prix 3 does it very well. As you drive around the wet track, the enviromental mapping shows off the reflections of the trackside objects in the water on the track. Also added in the weather effects are the "whale tails" that the cars form as they speed around on a wet track. This is a definite plus because it adds so much more to what the player has to keep in mind when racing.
The only downfall that I can find with the graphics is that the pit crews do not look very impressive. With this not being a significant factor in the game, it doesn't matter too much. Maybe Geoff Crammond will improve them for the next instalment in the series.
The Sound -
Excellent roar of the engines! For the most part you will be driving in the cockpit view, and your own engine will drown out the cars around you. I've never driven in a Formula 1 racing car, but with a helmet on this is what I would expect. It would be nice to have a feature to lower the volume of your own car so that you can hear the other vehicles around you. This would come in very handy for passing maneuvers or driving through heavy traffic, because your blind spots can be a major problem with not knowing specifically where other cars are.
The Gameplay -
Regarding the gameplay in GP3, it is all determined by you. This means that any flaws in the way the game plays can only be traced back to the player themself. GP3 incorporates the classic "driving aids" method which includes in-game driving aids for: Auto Brakes, Auto Gears, Auto-right the car, Indestructible, Ideal Line, Suggested Gear, Throttle Help, and Steering Help. For first time drivers this is a great way to learn the game, learn the tracks, and not get put off by frustration. Control methods are not one of my favoured points in the game as both my joystick and joypad don't work well with the game. I generally just use the keyboard instead but this is sufficient enough for me. Other people will have different controllers and different tastes, and I think the driving aids implementation is the ideal way to please everyone, and keep frustration levels to a minimum.
The artificial intelligence of the computer drivers is very well done. I'm not sure how they programmed the AI, but it does seem incredibly "human". One example is when coming up on a computer controlled car, to pass, they will swerve ever so little to protect their driving line, or position. You learn quickly when you can challenge without getting your nose cut off. The AI can also aggressively try to pass you, which I found out when I left just a little too much daylight in between my car and the apex and watched a McLaren zip on by me, dropping me down a position.
The crashes in GP3 might not be as realistic as some of the games that are out now but they are close enough to thrill you as you lock wheels with another car and flip up in the air. I was happy to also notice that they included the ability for the AI cars to be involved with crashes without my intervention. It gives more sense of realism when driving around the track, and a series of flag holders wave the yellow caution flag to warn you that an AI car has underestimated a hairpin and spun off into the gravel.
As I said, Grand Prix 3 can be as in-depth as you want to make it. This goes right down to testing car setups and analyzing telemetry data from the testing so that you can tweak every bit of your car. I am not quite up to speed on that kind of detail, but the GP3 manual is an excellent resource for such information. For those advanced F1 racers there is a chapter in the back of the book explaining in detail the inner workings of a Formula 1 car.
This means that there is not a lot I can say about this game that is bad. Yes there are newer, more advanced games on the market now but I don't think any come as close as this to a true formula one experience. A problem that some people may find is that the teams and drivers are now updated. However, there are many sites with x amount of editors and season patches meaning that this game should be at the forefront of F1 simulations for a few years yet. Well, at least until the next installment.
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