At first glance, New Star GP appears to be another entry in a long list of charming but not very complex or rewarding racing games with a nostalgic minimalist aesthetic like Art of Rally, Circuit Superstars and Horizon Chase. All of them entertaining and competent titles in their own way, where you don’t have to spend hours or days traveling through their circles.
Nor can it be said that the New Star Games studio has had a major impact, at least in the console and PC markets. Their greatest success lies with their mobile titles, which makes their large-scale efforts to enter new markets commendable, especially considering that this genre is completely new to them, their team is limited in size, and that New Star GP is a good game is.
If we look beyond the deliberately minimalist exterior, where a world of polygons does its best to evoke 90s arcade games, we’ll discover a surprising level of substance and depth. So if you want to progress through Career Mode and experience more than the initial race in Free Mode, you’ll find that it demands more from the player behind the wheel than it seems at first glance.
Simply stomping on the accelerator and sliding through the corners as if it were Cruis’n USA or Ridge Racer won’t be enough, as New Star GP responds with a cruel dose of reality to anyone who tries to play as if it were any other arcade racing game. Don’t get me wrong, this title doesn’t try to compete with EA and Codemasters’ F1 franchise, but the dissonance between presentation and gameplay is as surprising as it is rewarding.
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New Star GP is a lot of fun once you get over the initial surprise: you have to face machine-controlled opponents in the fight for first place, managing various aspects such as tire wear, fuel levels, weather conditions and much more. Yes, it’s surprisingly immersive fun and what’s more, there are also pit stops that are part of the management and act as mini-games where you directly control your pit crew as they change tires, refuel and repair damage to your vehicle.
This title completely engages you on every level and you never feel pushed to the back seat, you are always in control and it never feels overwhelming. The game skillfully and intelligently strikes a balance between simulation and arcade, a combination that may seem strange, but in the case of New Star GP it works and puts this title ahead of its competition in the gaming market.
In addition, we have an exquisite career mode that allows you to race from the early 80s with their flashy, small and loud F1 cars, to modern times with tracks and cars that constantly change over the years. Although New Star GP has no official association or license with the sport, there are many elements that fans can recognize across a total of 34 tracks from Silverstone in the UK to Monaco and its treacherous corners.
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There are many reasons to appreciate New Star GP, which is full of charm and passion, and considering it’s the studio’s first racing game, it’s even more impressive that it strikes the balance between fun and excitement. A love letter to the glory days of the ’90s when Virtua Racing dominated the arcades, but full of modern sensibilities that quickly become annoying. This title represents the best of arcade racing and the split-screen mode is perfect for your friends to join in the fun on the couch.
Whether you’re a big fan of the sport or someone looking for a good racing game, this title has something for you. New Star GP is as fast as it is challenging, offers plenty of charm and personality and an impressive career mode. For its price, it’s a surprisingly challenging racing experience that everyone should try.
