Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli

This is no trophy wife...

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Ah, Ferrari drivers: Old men with fake tans and perfectly bleached white teeth. A trophy wife 25 years their junior with silicone breasts and buttock implants. Tiny shrivelled slug for an appendage; desperately holding onto his youth with the same tenacity as it takes to get his back, sack and crack waxed every fortnight. No sir. Not for me. No matter how rich I get I won't turn into that. No matter how many hours I donate to Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli I definitely won't become him. Although apparently there are those interested in the brand, rather than conforming to stereotype. If you're one of those people there's no doubt you'll enjoy this. Its a well-made racer steeped in simulation and Ferrari paraphernalia.

Newcastle-based Developer Eutechnyx have created a much more serious racing experience than its fans (if there are any) would be used to. Ferrari Challenge is far removed from their previous titles, namely Big Mutha Truckers: Truck Me Harder, 007 Racing and The Fast and the Furious video game. It must have been joy-city when the team at Eutechnyx started work on Ferrari Challenge, finally a title with potential, a game that can show the world that true talent can be found here, rather than a team capable of putting out third rate cash-in titles.

Ferrari Challenge is nothing of the sort. Thanks largely to the licensing (that envelops every nook and cranny from title screens to the actually gameplay) that treats you to a genuine experience. Much like the FIFA games benefit from official FA and FIFA licensing, Trofeo Pirelli has an air of authenticity about it that compels it to be given a chance. On to the track and its more of the same. You're treated to one of what seems like a million different Ferrari models. I went on the look out for a Testa Rossa as I sat in one as a kid, but I couldn't find it. No doubt it was locked away.

You see as far as Ferrari Challenge is a legitimate simulation, its swayed this way and that by a vicious arcadey undercurrent; there are untold Ferrari machines that can be unlocked through the various modes of play. Also passing cars while racing is a rather unrealistic affair. You'll find much more success by 'smashing' cars out of the way (with little or no body damage to your own chassis). So while the game bleats on about sticking to your racing line, it fails to mention that you can get the front of the pack by driving like a nutcase. However this isn't more than a mild irritation.

Challenge does offer you an impressive driving experience. The feel of the machines are a joy in realism, sharply accelerate (the cars being sensitive to the weight you apply to the buttons; shoulder buttons are best for this) and the engine roars and the car lurches forward; break before corners and the bonnet convincingly dips towards the tarmac. The lack of a rumble in the PS3 pads is a real shame as it could have added that extra bit of essential immersion. That said, it's not Eutechnyx's fault. What is their fault is the awful damage modelling. While the chassis takes moderate, if unrealistically understated damage when you hit another car, no effect is borne out on the performance of the vehicle. This means that you career around a track (sixteen in total) with little regard for the car you're sitting in, ironic as so much faith has gone into recreating these Ferraris - perhaps the reason for the moderate car damage.

As a result your tactics amount to little more than bully-smashing your opponents to pass instead of 'utilising the leading cars' slipstream' to gain the speed to overtake. That's not to say that this game, when you start playing at least, isn't difficult. Its actually tough to the point of frustration that certain stages of the game are so hard to beat - and without any kind of saving point between races - means some instances can be more than a chore to play. Some races can take up to 20 minutes to complete and while realistic, this isn't suitable for all gamers. Even the arcade mode lacks any kind of saving system.

Despite the frustrations, handicaps implemented to assist the learning curve are a stroke of genius. At its most overt the 'intelligent' racing-line changes depending on how you're driving: break too early and the racing-line turns green encouraging acceleration, bright red obviously means break. Covert assists like maxing out the ABS also stop you from skidding round corners, and while this detracts from the realism, it doesn't grant you carte blanche when cornering. Treat corners with respect at all times.

To conclude, what you've got here is a solid little racing game with plenty to keep you entertained. Some frustrations, mainly down to save points and a shabby model system, drag enjoyment down a notch. The Ferrari license may indeed hinder sales rather than gain them, I doubt gamers want to be forced to drive only Ferraris and might opt for the excellent Forza 2 or GT Prologue for sheer variety instead. This would be a shame, however, because Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli offers a genuinely challenging and immersive experience.

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By Gary Flavell