GT Legends

Thrash hard with balance and finesse with Ben Mansill.

If you're into racing sims then this, simply, is a must-have. You can climb the Mt Olympus of sims, passing the overrated Gran Turismo about half way up, gaining a foothold on GTR near the top, and upon the summit site GT Legends. It doesn't get any better.

While GTR is supremely detailed and has car physics that leaves the others in the dust, GT Legends - by the same developers, Simbin, is friendlier and ultimately more satisfying. GTR's monster Ferraris, Lamborghinis and the like were tricky to tame. A week spent not playing it and you'd forget everything.

The vehicles in GT Legends are more welcoming and immensely more fun. The cars inherently easier to drive, but they feature the very best physics, making it intuitive and natural to belt around the wonderful tracks. Even the little Mini that you start off in is surprisingly good fun. Underpowered, sure, but just a lap in and you'll appreciate the finesse needed to extract maximum velocity from the little thing.

The game has a GT-style game model. All the cars you race must be purchased from your cash prize money. Easy to dismiss, but this model works a treat, forcing you to move through the ranks, enjoying and appreciating the glorious variety. Thumping muscle cars like the Mustang or Shelby Cobra have never been more fun to drive. The physics at work really let you feel the momentum of these mothers, and the feeling of pure thrust and speed too is unequalled, with the exception of GTR.

I think the Holy Grail of racing sims is a car that you can instantly drive instinctively, but that offers almost endless headroom for better laptimes. GT Legends does it. Even gamers who have never played a proper racing sim will instantly feel right at home behind any of the wheels here. Other games ask that you practise and get a feel for the programmer's interpretation of how a car should behave. GT Legends simply feels just like driving a real car, with all its capabilities and limitations.

Adding much to the sensation are the engine sounds. Sampled from the real thing there is no better sounding racing game. Another mark of quality is the 3D car interiors. To the smallest detail they are recreated and show that the developers weren't mucking about. So beautiful are they that it's a crime to drive from any other perspective.

If you're a car fan and have always wanted to get behind the wheel of any of the classic cars here this is your salvation. If you're a gamer looking for a thrilling new experience you need to sample this exquisite experience. And if you're a hardcore racing sim nut you've probably already got this game. It is majestic, wonderful and the state of the sim art.