Spirit of Speed 1937 review

Spirit of Speed 1937 is an easy game to dislike as it lacks many of the home comforts of racing titles we’ve seen over the past decade. The brakes are life threatening, the acceleration sluggish, the handling at times terrible and forget about driver aids. Yet this is exactly what driving these monster machines would have been like back in the day. The lack of recognisable features is why arguably few appreciated the game when it was released in 2000.

First impressions do count and unfortunately those opening moments are dire. A PC port, little has been done to optimise loading times, which run into a couple of minutes. The first screen to greet you seems to take a lifetime, after which you can select 50hz or 60hz, before settling down to another few minutes of loading. Frankly, it’s not good enough and hampers the enjoyment factor or desire to enter another race.

When things do load the presentation is far from slick. Spirit of Speed is an ugly beast with its roots in PC simulation. Any enjoyment is for F1 or racing enthusiasts with a taste for the Auto Unions, Bugatti’s and Alfa Romeo’s. There are no driver aids or tutorials beyond the option during Championship races to practice or qualify. Even labelling this simulation seems an injustice, as you cannot tinker with the handling or options of each vehicle.

When things finally load, you reach the main menu to be confronted by four modes. Quick and Single Race are self explanatory, Scenario places you in a series of unique settings with a specific goal to achieve however these are little more than being at the back of the field or competing against a specific foe, or with just a few laps remaining. The main mode is Championship, sadly in a series that only involves four other cars. Why more are not on the track is beyond Gamestyle, especially when you realise how lobotomised the drivers AI is. The team should have pushed the capabilities of the Dreamcast, or at least moved into second gear to provide a real sense of those incredible early races.

Gamestyle apologises for going a little geeky here, as we know our classic cars and these won’t be turning up in a Gran Turismo or Forza anytime soon. The legendary all-conquering Auto Union cars (C & D) are included and compete aside Mercedes Benz (125 &154), Duesenberg, Bugatti’s, Alfa Romeo’s and many more besides. Again, it’s a shame that all of these are not on the same track at any given time, however you soon forget about this as you attempt to clock up respectable laps.

The Championship is set across many tracks that no longer exist or have been adapted over time. Most familiar to players will be Donington, Monza and Brooklands where you can experience those infamous banks at high speeds. Having visited Brooklands and driven the simulator at the museum, this is a pale imitation and only by trying to climb what’s left of the embankments in real life can appreciate how brave drivers were in this era.

Other tracks include Monlhery that turns out to be a unique romp across the French countryside and through villages. Over seven miles in length, this is indicative of many tracks where races can be ruined by the slightest mistake. In comparison Montana is a quick dash across a confined circuit with sharp bends and brief climbs, it’s a real favourite with Gamestyle. Throw in the attrition of Tripoli and the famous German Avus, with its epic straights and oval corners, and the tracks are a real strength of the game.

Other tracks include the street circuit Pau and the challenging Roosevelt. Ninety percent of these names will be unfamiliar with players, but once driven they do leave a lasting impression. If only Hermann Tike could take a spin on such tracks before designing today’s Formula One circuits. Yes, we still haven’t forgiven you for the bore that is Valencia.

The rumbling engine noises dominate proceedings and there is a notable difference between the cars in the game. The Auto Union cars will attract the brave, but the smaller, less powerful vehicles make up for their shortcomings with excellent handling. The grandstands are packed but the crowds are mute and the tracks while faithful, lack detail. The frame rate is solid and thankfully of a decent speed to promote good racing. Perhaps there was trade off between detail and frame rate, although Gamestyle suspects its more a case of a PC port with not enough optimisation. A common problem for most Dreamcast relases during its lifespan.

The more Gamestyle played Spirt of Speed 1937, the more we actually enjoyed the challenge of navigating the circuits in these historic yet cumbersome cars. Yet this is not a game for the faint hearted or those seeking the best racing that the Dreamcast can muster.