As with previous versions there is a bewildering array of mechanical tweaking you can do. Almost everything is adjustable in some way, from the tyre choice, fuel load, ride height, brake bias, all the way down to the angles of your spoilers. You can even view the log of your telemetry taken during a race so you can precisely analyse the 'rear left suspension deflection measured at damper' on your lap (I have no idea what that means). Forgetting all the technical jargon for a second, winning a race mainly requires learning the track and the correct manoeuvres. Racing lines for different corners are explained quite neatly in the manual but it is more fun to learn simply by trailing a computer controlled opponent and matching them as best you can. A nice randomness to the is also evident throughout the game, from spins to full on crashes (not all of them caused by me). At the start of the race this is particularly noticeable as all the cars weave to try and gain a position and should there be some spiffy driving that you'd like to view with the simple tap of a key you can quickly review the last few moments as if you were watching the action on TV.

The detail of the cars is quite excellent but this does come at the cost of the environments. The buildings and signs that surround the track are very primitive. If you've played Microsoft's Rallysport Challenge or Moto GP recently you may also be disappointed with the slightly bland look of the track itself, particularly so when it rains as though the cars spew up a nice mist in their wake the track will look as dry as a bone. Personally I would have preferred a little more balance with the graphics. The detail in the game doesn't hinder the frame rate which is probably the most important thing, and with a mid range system you should have no trouble with the full twenty one opponents on screen at a time.

If you've enjoyed this franchise in the past it's certainly worth picking up this latest offering if for nothing else than to have four full seasons under one banner. If a lifetime of mechanical adjustment isn't your thing an improved option has also been added so you can show of your honed skills. This has been done using a simple in-game browser with the ubiquitous GameSpy. For more gamers I'd be very hesitant to recommend it. Challenge is the Flight Simulator of titles. While one can admire the merits of the simulation, sadly this isn't going to translate into an enjoyable gaming experience for most, which is what the mark reflects. This one is for the professionals, and I'm sure they'd want it no other way.

60%

By Richard Clifford