Circuit Racer

Speed Haste is a very simple, flawed shareware arcade racing game that allows you to race the F1 or Stock Cars around a variety of circuits.

The usual arcade options are here: select your car from different car models, choose whether to use automatic or manual gears, etc. Although the graphics are much better than average, the driving model is extremely unrealistic. For instance, your car can slide through most corners flat out if the correct line is taken. Joystick controls are awkward and unresponsive, and I've found the keyboard to be the best way to play. The AI is quite stupid, if it exists at all-- computer-controlled cars follow their own route without caring about where you are. This leads to some interesting games of pinball: bouncing of backmarkers as you try to pass.

What saves the game from mediocrity, fortunately, is the excellent network play mode. Four players can link together and race on a standard IPX network, and it's a lot of fun. Since people can pick up the game very quickly, and any slip can lose you seconds, close races are the norm. The appalling AI and exceptionally slow CCs make Speed Haste too easy to beat for most experienced drivers, but if you have friends to play against, it's a blast.

Recommended for multiplayer mode, and anyone who likes easy racing games.

Review By HOTUD