by Al Massey
...strap yourself in, rev up a Formula One engine and join in the fun. MicroProse brings the top-notch action of Formula One racing complete with realistic-handling Formula cars, in-depth re-creations of 16 famous world tracks, and tremendous car and sce nery graphics to your desktop.
Choose your car, track, and driver, then take it for a practice run. If it seems to lack performance take it into the pits and alter its performance, gear ratios, fuel load and other characteristics just like the big boys. When you are ready, you can dri ve a single race or go for the full race circuit tour. A real Championship season.
Grand Prix II allows you to take a look at the track, car and race from various camera angles and replay your finest moments and worst crashes. Unlike the West Loop at rush hour, you will find that the competing drivers are reasonably intelligent and wil l respond to your moves and do their best to outmaneuver you and stay ahead.
Visually, the game features stunning high-resolution 640x480 graphics, with 3-D texture-mapping that results in impressive car and racetrack views. The excellent sound effects using Doppler Sound and Digital Sound effects bring to life the roar of engine s and other racetrack sounds. To take life to another dimension you can race against your friends and enemies via direct link or modem.
Grand Prix II by MicroProse, $29.95. Systems requirements: DOS 5.0 or later (Plays great under Windows 95), 100MHz 80486DX/4 compatible or faster, 8MB RAM; double speed CD; VGA or Super VGA graphics, hard drive (15MB free) and Microsoft compatible mouse. Also a sound card which is Sound Blaster (or 100% compatible). ProAudio Spectrum and Gravis UltraSound are supported. NOTE: take my advice and get a top-notch joystick or wheel and pedals.
Al Massey is a HAL-PC member who can be contacted at almas@hal-pc.org.
E-mail me at webmaster@hal-pc.org with any comments you have and tell me what you want to see here.