![](/squares_tiny/publisher/0/0/0/0/8/0/9/7/future_publishing.jpg)
Future Publishing
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Publisher: Codemasters
Machine: Amstrad CPC464
Published in Amstrad Action 118
Grand Prix Simulator 2
Buckle up for some fast and furious, head-to-head racing. Grand Prix Simulator 2 features enhanced difficulty and more addictive gameplay than its predecessor.
Awww come on racing is racing, just get in and put the foot down and head for the finishing line. Not so this time around. A new damage meter means that crashing into rivals or terrain too frequently can put you out of the race for good.
So you'll need your best behaviour, skill and wits behind the wheel of this Oliver Twins game.
![Grand Prix Simulator 2](/ills_small/amstrad/codemasters/tapes/Grand-Prix-Simulator-2-002.png)
It's so simple and yet is all class. It may have been a budget release back in the day, but it sure does give some of the higher priced games a run for its money. The loader is gorgeous and grabs you in your seat. It might look like Speccy four colour-ish, but the graphics don't deter you from playing the game. At the off you can choose joystick or keys and have a crack with two mates, three players in all that's beautiful.
The game screen is an overhead view like Super Sprint. You're at the starting line and hear a woman's voice "3", "2", "1" "GO"... and your off and racing in the Grand Prix. This is the first course of nine different race tracks. It's not easy, the controls get a bit of getting used to and cornering can be a trap if you don't get it right. The CPU cars love smashing into you and that really adds to your damage meter, avoid them at all costs. As well as not getting hit by the CPU cars you can also add damage to your car if you don't avoid obstacles on the track, the more damage you get the slower you will race.
With each track you must complete three laps within the time limit. As you progress the time limit gets lower and lower making it harder and harder to complete each track. So it's quite difficult. You can make it through the first track easy by not selecting CPU players so that the other two cars don't move but after the first lap the CPU automatically takes the place of the human players and now your really got to keep up the pace.
![Grand Prix Simulator 2](/ills_small/amstrad/codemasters/tapes/Grand-Prix-Simulator-2-003.png)
This game can really infuriate you, but if you keep a cool head and practice you'll love this game. At the end of each track your taken to the pits to see how well you have driven on each lap and your overall time. If you don't qualify your pit garage is shut and it's game over.
Each track gets harder and progress might be short from the beginning but it gives you something to strive for, helps improve your skills and get to be the number one driver on the track.
The main title tune is something else, it's so catchy and cool, just sounds brill. You could listen to it all day, very cool.
![Grand Prix Simulator 2](/ills_small/amstrad/codemasters/tapes/Grand-Prix-Simulator-2-004.png)
I was never a big fan of budget titles on CPC but Grand Prix Simulator 2 is one of the better budget titles. A good driving challenge, which is well worth spending a cold, wet and dreary afternoon playing.
First Day Target Score
Complete level one.
Verdict
Graphics 57%
Four colours, small sprites, but get the job done.
![Grand Prix Simulator 2](/ills_small/amstrad/codemasters/tapes/Grand-Prix-Simulator-2-005.png)
Sound 76%
Lovely main tune, but then you just get whirs.
Grab Factor 63%
Above average.
Staying Power 66%
Nine levels, but oh so difficult.
Overall 73%
Classy budget title with that "just another crack at beating those CPU racers" addictiveness.