Reviews// Ferrari Challenge: Trofeo Pirelli

The other problem with 'Ferrari Trumps' is that you are playing against the computer. The racing aspects of the game have on-line and LAN multi-player. But Challenge Cards doesn't offer even these options, and in reality there is no reason why it couldn't offer a straightforward local two (or more) player option. In the end, the inclusion of the Challenge Cards just feels it's been put there by someone who loves Ferraris more than you to make you learn more about their obsession.

So, Ferrari Challenge is very definitely a Ralph to Gran Turismo's Michael (Schumacher, if you're not an F1 fan)? It's not even a Racedriver:GRID. It's far less expansive and fun than Burnout: Paradise.

It is a solid decent racing game. Not particularly great but by no means terrible. If you like racing games, you'll probably like this game (You are so fired. Ed). If you have an unhealthy obsession with Ferraris, and fantasise about them day and night, you may even be able to fool yourself into loving this game.

Should you buy Ferrari Challenge? Well, yes under certain conditions, if you are freakily patriotic, and want to help prevent the UK games industry being completely subsumed by foreign corporations. Or if you love Ferraris more than life itself and need to have every piece of tatty merchandising bearing the Prancing Horse that you can afford.

Or if you simply must buy every driving game that is released for your PS3. Otherwise, Burnout Paradise, Need for Speed: ProStreet or Racedriver: GRID will give you more game, and if you pick one of them up second hand, for less cash.

[b]SPOnG Score 76%
[i]Ferrari Challenge is not a bad game, indeed it's a pretty good game. But when there are incredibly good driving games already available for the PS3, that may well just not be enough. Ferrari Challenge feels like it was the work of a vocation, a calling. It's great that, in a sea of corporate blandness, there are UK publishers out there who have any kind of passion or calling.

It's great that in an increasingly expensive and cautious industry they are managing to get games published. It's just a shame that after all that laudable effort, their ambition is no greater than to produce a me-too game with the name of their favourite car manufacturer on the box.[/i][/b]