Info about New Star™ GP: Official game description: NEW STAR™ GP is the arcade racing game where every decision counts - on and off the track! You take control of your own motorsport team, guide your team’s technological development, plan your race strategy, take the wheel, and drive to victory! With a simple but deep gameplay experience and appealing retro visuals, NEW STAR™ GP puts you in the driving seat for every twist and turn as you manage and race your team through decades of racing, from the 1980s all the way to the present day! STUNNING RETRO VISUALS ---------------------- Beautifully rendered retro looks and a driving retro soundtrack that bring back fond memories of the iconic racing games of the 1990s. CHOOSE YOUR RACE STRATEGY! -------------------------- A pick-up-and-play arcade driving experience that has more depth than you think. While anyone can take the wheel and have success, those who want to truly master the game will want to make use of tyre choice and wear, component reliability, slipstreaming opponents, fuel load, and even pit strategy. Anything can happen in races, from catastrophic component failures and dynamic weather changes, to tyre blowouts and multi-car pileups. START YOUR CAREER IN THE 80s ---------------------------- Compete in GPs, Elimination Races, Time Trials, Checkpoint Races, and one-on-one Rival Races. In between events, choose how to upgrade your car, or which staff perks to equip: from sponsored car components to faster pit stops. When you’ve won a season, progress to the next decade of racing and face a new set of opponents and challenges in a brand new car! RACE ICONIC LOCATIONS AROUND THE WORLD! --------------------------------------- Race a myriad of events across the decades at some of the most iconic racing locations around the world. Earn rewards for setting personal bests! CHALLENGE YOUR FRIENDS IN SPLIT-SCREEN MULTIPLAYER! --------------------------------------------------- Enjoy the game with your friends with a fun split-screen social multiplayer mode. Play with 2, 3, or 4 players, choose your car, driver, handicap, and play mode, and any of the tracks to compete on. Points carry over from event to event, so it’s as easy to play one race as it is to play a whole season of racing together. WRITE YOUR NAME IN THE HALL OF FAME! ------------------------------------ Can you beat competition from all over the world to clock the fastest Hot Lap time? Outpace your opponents’ ghost-cars and claim your place on the Steam leaderboards! JOIN OUR DISCORD ---------------- Release date: Mar 7, 2024 Categories: Racing Simulation, Motorsport Management, Arcade Racing, Career Mode, Split-screen Multiplayer, Retro Aesthetics, Team Management, Dynamic Weather and Mechanics Feature scans: - Proton/Linux: score 8; verdict: Works Well; summary: The filtered reviews contain no Linux, Proton, Wine, or native-build friction reports. All compatibility-relevant feedback is positive, consistently stating that the game runs great and maintains solid frame rates on Steam Deck and Steam Deck OLED. There are no mentions of crashes, launch failures, anti-cheat or DRM blockers, Proton switching, launch options, or community workarounds. Per the scoring criteria, positive Linux/Proton mentions with no outstanding negatives keep the score in the 0-20 'Works Well' band. - Steam Deck: score 10; verdict: Seamless; summary: User feedback is overwhelmingly positive for Steam Deck. The game is repeatedly described as running great or perfectly out of the box, with 90 FPS and low 10-11w battery drain on OLED. No external launchers, anti-cheat errors, Proton Experimental toggles, unreadable text, or crashes are reported. Only minor controller layout and analog-stick wear concerns appear. - Hardware Profile: No data Feature extractions: - Community Price: - Community fair range: $10.00 - $20.00 - Reasoning: The strongest signal is that reviewers call $10 a great price, and one explicitly says they would pay $15-20 for a similar game, which places a fair upper range near $20. Other reviews say the game is worth full price or worth the price, supporting that the base price can be above a deep-sale figure. At the same time, the comment that a 30 EUR price point was hard for many to recommend suggests $30+ is viewed as too high. Therefore, the community fair base-game range is approximately $10-$20. - Playtime Metrics: - Game completion: 30.0h - Story completion: 20.0h - Session length: N/A - Endgame: 10.0h - Reasoning: storyCompletion is set to 20 hours because one review reports career mode at 15-25 hours and another directly states 20 hours to beat the campaign. gameCompletion is set to 30 hours because 100% achievements are reported around 25-30 hours and full completion around 30-40 hours, making 30 a central estimate. endgame is estimated at about 10 hours: the total completion range of 30-40 hours includes post-career achievement grinding after the career mode, which is reported at 15-25 hours, leaving roughly 5-15 extra hours. sessionLength is null because the reviews mention race length (6-7 minutes) and season length (under an hour) but do not explicitly report a typical continuous play session duration. - Time-to-fun: - Summary: New Star GP is immediately fun for many players, but multiple time-cued reports say it turns repetitive or becomes a slog after the early hours. The strongest direct evidence supports a fun-then-drops profile. - Stance: Fun then drops - Anchor: N/A - Time to anchor: N/A - Friction: Tutorial and explanation for each screen; Low challenge in the first two seasons; Remote co-op requires enough controllers - Unlock drivers: N/A - Conditions: Playing splitscreen with friends through remote play; Interest in retro arcade racing rather than simulation; Interest in worldwide hot lap ranking; Enjoying management and career progression; Availability of local multiplayer; Requiring online multiplayer or online career co-op - Player Archetypes: - Nostalgic Retro Arcade Racer (buy) - Motivation: To relive the pure old-school arcade racing feel of 80s/90s racing games, now with modern production and content. - Playstyle: Relaxed, solo-friendly arcade racing in short chill sessions, drawn to polygon visuals, classic tracks, and simple pick-up-and-play handling. - Experience: veteran - Purchase stance: buy - Labels: old school gamer; old guys - Reference games: Daytona USA; Top Gear; Nigel Mansell's World Championship; Horizon Chase Turbo - Casual F1 Fan (buy) - Motivation: To enjoy a compact, accessible F1 experience with light strategy instead of investing in demanding yearly simulation releases. - Playstyle: Casual arcade-oriented racing that mimics the feel of driving a formula car, with a bit of team/part strategy and career progression played in downtime like F1 breaks. - Experience: familiar - Purchase stance: buy - Labels: casual Formula 1 Fan - Reference games: Codemasters F1 series - Local Couch Co-op Player (sale) - Motivation: To race head-to-head with friends on the couch or via remote play, since local multiplayer is rare in modern racing games. - Playstyle: Split-screen championship sessions with friends, often bought in bundles, avoiding solo modes that feel boring against the AI. - Experience: mixed - Purchase stance: sale - Labels: N/A - Reference games: N/A - Sim-Savvy Depth Seeker (no buy) - Motivation: To find a genuinely competitive, deep racing challenge that measures up to their simulation and drifting background. - Playstyle: Competitive, detail-focused racing on higher difficulty and hot-lap leaderboards, sensitive to handling depth, AI behavior, and realism versus arcade trade-offs. - Experience: veteran - Purchase stance: no buy - Labels: simracers - Reference games: N/A Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category. Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews. What players like: - Excellent arcade racing experience (weight 0.43): Reviewers consistently praise the game as a fun, accessible arcade racer with a fantastic driving feel. The arcade style is seen as a strength, offering a unique and enjoyable experience. - Highly enjoyable and fun (weight 0.26): Many reviewers simply describe the game as fun, enjoyable, and a blast to play. This broad praise underscores the game's widespread appeal. - Perfect arcade-simulation blend (weight 0.22): The game strikes an ideal balance between arcade accessibility and simulation depth, satisfying both casual and hardcore racing fans. This mix is frequently highlighted as a key strength. - Fantastic driving feel (weight 0.18): The driving mechanics are repeatedly commended for feeling great, with responsive controls and a satisfying sense of speed. The handling is both fun and authentic. - Stylish retro graphics (weight 0.15): The retro-inspired visual style is consistently praised for being stylish, pleasant, and well-executed, contributing to the game's charm. - One of the best racing games (weight 0.12): Several reviewers rank it among the best arcade racers they've ever played, with some calling it the most fun in years. This high praise reflects its exceptional quality. - Deep and engaging career mode (weight 0.11): The career mode is described as deep, varied, and addictive, with a well-structured progression. It adds significant longevity and enjoyment. - Robust game modes and features (weight 0.11): The inclusion of career, championship, and online multiplayer modes, along with car and crew upgrades, provides a comprehensive package. These modes are well-received. - Strategic depth in racing (weight 0.11): Fuel and tire management, along with pit strategy, add a layer of strategic decision-making that enhances the racing experience. This is a standout feature for many. - Great Steam Deck performance (weight 0.11): The game runs smoothly on Steam Deck, often at high framerates and with crisp graphics, making it a great portable experience. - Solid and well-rounded racer (weight 0.11): Beyond nostalgia, the game is praised as a genuinely good racing game that offers a complete and satisfying experience worth its price. - Fun local multiplayer (weight 0.1): The game supports up to four-player split-screen, which is highly enjoyable for playing with friends. Custom championships in split-screen add to the fun. - Engaging pit stop mechanic (weight 0.1): The pit stop implementation is exceptionally well done, adding a satisfying and strategic element to races. Many reviewers highlight it as a positive. - Rewarding progression system (weight 0.1): The progression, including car upgrades and crew management, is motivating and well-designed, giving players a sense of advancement. - Great F1 racing game (weight 0.09): Reviewers consider it one of the best F1 games available, offering a fun and authentic F1 experience. It stands out in the genre. - Faithful track representations (weight 0.09): The tracks are accurately recreated, with layouts and aesthetics that feel true to their real-life counterparts. This attention to detail is appreciated. - Career spanning five decades (weight 0.09): The career mode's journey from the 1980s to the 2020s is a unique and cool feature, adding historical progression and variety. - Hot lap mode with leaderboards (weight 0.09): The hot lap mode, complete with global leaderboards and ghost racing, provides a competitive solo challenge that players enjoy. Common complaints: - Frustrating career mode design (weight 0.96): The career mode is criticized for being repetitive, with shallow management systems, random events that punish the player, and a lack of meaningful progression. Many find it becomes a slog after a few seasons. - Unbalanced adaptive difficulty (weight 0.51): The adaptive AI often creates extreme difficulty spikes, making races either too easy or impossibly hard. Players report rubber-banding and unfair advantages for AI drivers. - Overly aggressive AI opponents (weight 0.45): The AI drivers are frequently described as excessively aggressive, often ramming, blocking, and causing collisions without consequences. This behavior leads to frustrating races and a demolition derby feel. - Lack of content and shallow features (weight 0.44): Many players feel the game lacks depth and content, with limited track variety, modes, and meaningful upgrades. The management systems are seen as basic and unrewarding. - Unfair AI advantages (weight 0.43): The AI often has unrealistic grip, speed, and immunity to weather effects, giving them an unfair advantage. This makes the game feel rigged and frustrating. - Poor handling and physics (weight 0.42): The driving physics are often described as inconsistent, arcadey, and lacking in realism. Issues include odd cornering, uncontrollable spins, and a lack of feedback. - Poor AI performance and behavior (weight 0.4): The AI is criticized for being slow, clumsy, and exhibiting unrealistic behavior such as moving under braking and driving off track. Pit stops and strategy are also poorly handled by the AI. - Bugs and technical issues (weight 0.22): The game suffers from various bugs, including progression blockers, AI glitches, and UI problems. These issues severely impact the experience for many players. - Random events and pop-ups disrupt gameplay (weight 0.22): Frequent pop-up messages, crew dilemmas, and random events interrupt races and are often seen as annoying and poorly implemented. They detract from the racing experience. - Limited customization options (weight 0.21): Players find the customization options for cars, teams, and controls to be lacking. There is no manual transmission, no button remapping, and limited visual tuning. - No restart or rewind option (weight 0.21): Players are frustrated by the inability to restart races or use rewind without penalties. This is especially problematic in career mode where one mistake can ruin a season. - Confusing and clunky UI (weight 0.19): The menus and interface are often described as confusing, slow, and poorly designed. Navigating settings and options is a common frustration. - Repetitive and poor soundtrack (weight 0.19): The music and sound design are often described as repetitive, cheap, and annoying after a short time. Many players wish for a better or more varied soundtrack. - No online multiplayer support (weight 0.16): Many players are disappointed by the absence of online co-op or competitive multiplayer, which they feel hurts the game's longevity. This feature is considered standard for the genre and its lack is a major drawback. - Races are too short and lack strategy (weight 0.15): Fixed short race lengths (e.g., 6 laps) prevent strategic depth and make it hard to catch up. Players desire adjustable race lengths and more strategic elements. - No qualifying sessions (weight 0.14): The game lacks a qualifying mode, forcing players to start at the back of the grid in every race. This is a major complaint as it removes a key strategic element. - Subpar graphics and visuals (weight 0.13): The graphics are considered outdated or low-quality compared to other racing games. The art style and lack of visual polish are common criticisms. - Missing localization and language support (weight 0.13): The game lacks support for multiple languages, including Japanese and Russian, and career mode is only in English. This limits accessibility for non-English speakers. Gameplay feedback: - Arcade Racing Core (weight 0.62): The game is fundamentally an arcade-style racer, often themed around Formula 1 or open-wheel racing. It offers accessible handling while still providing hidden depth and strategic elements. - Pit Stop Strategy (weight 0.42): Pit stops are a central mechanic, requiring decisions on tire selection, fuel loads, and timing. These choices directly affect car performance and race outcomes. - Career Mode Across Decades (weight 0.34): A single-player career mode spans five decades of Formula 1 history, from the 1980s to the present. Players progress through seasons, unlocking car upgrades and experiencing evolving technologies. - Fuel and Tire Management (weight 0.31): Fuel load affects car weight and handling, while tire wear and compound choices influence drivability. Managing these resources is crucial for race performance. - Split-Screen Local Multiplayer (weight 0.27): The game supports local split-screen for up to four players, with remote play together options. Championship mode can also be played in split-screen with friends or AI. - Team Management and Upgrades (weight 0.24): Players can manage their team, hire staff, and upgrade cars in a workshop. These RPG-like elements add depth beyond pure racing. - AI Opponent Behavior (weight 0.23): AI drivers exhibit varied aggression, rubber-banding, and adaptive skill levels. They can block, change racing lines, and even cause accidents, with some taunting the player after collisions. - Arcade Handling with Sim Elements (weight 0.21): The driving model blends arcade accessibility with simulation details, such as spinning out without traction control. It leans more toward arcade but offers depth. - Dynamic Weather and Track Conditions (weight 0.18): Weather can change mid-race, forcing teams to adapt pit strategies for wet tires or changing fuel loads. Tire wear, temperature, and degradation also evolve dynamically, adding strategic depth. - Championship Mode (weight 0.1): A dedicated championship mode allows players to compete in a series of races, either solo or in multiplayer. It often includes customizable options. - Varied Race Events (weight 0.08): The game offers multiple event types, including Grand Prix races, time trials, duels, elimination, and checkpoint challenges. These provide variety beyond standard races. - Rewind Feature (weight 0.08): A rewind option is available to undo mistakes, though it may come with a penalty. This assists less skilled players. - Short Race Length (weight 0.06): Races are limited to a maximum of six laps, keeping events quick and accessible. This suits the arcade style and short attention spans. - Slipstreaming Mechanics (weight 0.06): Slipstreaming is part of the racing, allowing players to draft behind opponents for speed boosts. It adds a tactical element to overtaking. - Cockpit and Camera Views (weight 0.06): The game includes a cockpit camera view and a top-down camera option, catering to different player preferences. Performance notes: - Smooth and Stable Framerate (weight 0.12): Players consistently note solid, stable FPS with no stutters or frame drops during gameplay. Performance remains consistently smooth across sessions. - Good Overall Optimization (weight 0.07): Several users praise the game's optimization, noting it runs flawlessly and has good performance. This reflects a generally well-optimized experience. - Runs Well on Low-End Hardware (weight 0.05): The game is described as incredibly optimized and able to run on any computer, including very low-end hardware. This broad compatibility is a key positive. - No Bugs or Crashes (weight 0.05): Reviewers report zero bugs encountered and no crashes, indicating a polished and stable release. This contributes to a smooth experience. - Fast Load Times (weight 0.05): Load times are almost non-existent, and the game feels extremely fluid with little to no loading. This enhances overall responsiveness. - Crisp Graphics (weight 0.03): One reviewer notes that the graphics are crisp, adding to the visual quality of the game. This is a positive aspect of the presentation. - Efficient Battery Usage (weight 0.03): One user reports a battery drain of 10-11W, suggesting efficient power consumption on handheld devices. This is a notable positive for portable play. - Poor Optimization for Some (weight 0.03): A single reviewer claims the game is poorly optimized, contrasting with the majority positive reports. This may indicate isolated issues or varying hardware experiences. - No Force Feedback on Wheels (weight 0.02): One user notes the lack of force feedback support for racing wheels, which may disappoint players using such peripherals. This is a niche but specific drawback. Recommendations: - Highly recommended by reviewers (weight 0.16): Multiple clusters show strong overall recommendations, with many players urging others to buy the game. This broad positive sentiment appears consistently across different phrasing. - Worth the price (weight 0.14): Several clusters emphasize that the game justifies its cost, with some stating it is worth even more than the asking price. Players feel they get good value for their money. - Great value on sale (weight 0.13): Reviewers repeatedly mention that the game is an excellent purchase when discounted. This suggests the game is seen as a worthwhile deal at a lower price point. - Great arcade racer with strategy (weight 0.12): Reviewers praise the game as a fun arcade racer that includes a light strategic element without being overwhelming. It is recommended for those wanting a not-too-lengthy arcade experience. - Affordable alternative to licensed F1 games (weight 0.11): Reviewers highlight this game as a budget-friendly substitute for annual F1 titles, praised for being easy to pick up. It appeals to players who want F1 action without committing to a yearly series or spending hours per race. - Essential for racing game fans (weight 0.09): Many reviewers consider this a must-have for anyone who enjoys racing games. It is recommended for both casual racing enthusiasts and dedicated fans. - Strong recommendation to try (weight 0.07): Many positive comments encourage players to check out or try the game. This general endorsement reflects high satisfaction among reviewers. - Excellent on Steam Deck (weight 0.07): Reviewers highlight that the game runs well and is enjoyable on portable systems like the Steam Deck. This portability adds to its appeal. - Appeals to F1 and racing fans (weight 0.05): Fans of F1 and racing games in general highly recommend this title. It resonates with the target audience. - Suitable for racing newcomers (weight 0.05): Reviewers recommend the game for those new to racing games or not seeking deep simulation. Its accessible nature makes it a good entry point. - Some players advise against (weight 0.05): A small number of reviewers strongly warn against buying the game. This negative feedback is present but less common. Other player notes: - Retro Low-Poly Visual Style (weight 0.17): The game features an old-school, low-poly art style reminiscent of 90s graphics. While simple and not demanding, it may not appeal to all players. - Excellent Steam Deck Performance (weight 0.14): Players consistently report that the game runs smoothly and flawlessly on the Steam Deck, including the OLED model. The controls are generally well-received, though one user noted an issue with the button layout. - Virtua Racing Spiritual Successor (weight 0.14): Multiple reviewers draw strong comparisons to SEGA's classic Virtua Racing, calling it a spiritual successor and homage. This highlights its appeal to fans of retro arcade racing. - Arcade Racing Focus (weight 0.12): Unlike simulation racers like Forza or Gran Turismo, this game emphasizes quick, arcade-style sessions. It is compared favorably to classic F1 and Indy racing games. - Missing Language Support (weight 0.1): Reviewers note the lack of Russian and Japanese language support, as well as English-only career mode content. This limits accessibility for non-English speakers. - Developer Credentials Noted (weight 0.09): The developer is recognized for previous work on New Star Soccer and Retro Bowl. This pedigree is often mentioned positively by reviewers. - Affordable Pricing (weight 0.09): Many users find the game cheap and fairly priced, especially considering its indie status and Early Access state. Some acquired it at a discount in bundles. - Indie Title with Management (weight 0.08): As an indie game, it offers team management elements similar to mainline F1 games. This adds depth beyond typical arcade racers. - Short and Variable Playtime (weight 0.07): Reported completion times vary widely, from around 2-3 hours to over 25 hours depending on play style. This suggests the game offers flexibility for different player preferences. - Lack of Official Licenses (weight 0.05): The game uses fictional driver and team names due to missing official licenses, though some names are close to reality. This is noted as a drawback for realism. - Positive Comparison to Retro Bowl (weight 0.05): Reviewers compare it positively to Retro Bowl, noting the same core idea but with more technical impressiveness. This appeals to fans of the developer's previous work. Emotions: - Enjoyment (weight 0.26): Players enjoy the fun arcade racing gameplay, a good balance of accessibility and depth, and the rewarding career mode progression. The retro 1980s F1 theme, track variety, and satisfying handling contribute to an overall entertaining experience. - Frustration (weight 0.23): Frustration stems from aggressive and rubber-banding AI, severe difficulty spikes, and lack of race restarts. Bugs like tire mismatch DNFs, input lockups, and unfair random events further aggravate players. - Satisfaction (weight 0.2): Satisfaction comes from well-tuned arcade-sim racing, deep management systems, and a rewarding progression loop. Completing races, earning achievements, and experiencing the retro F1 atmosphere deliver a strong sense of accomplishment. - Disappointment (weight 0.14): Players are disappointed by unpolished features, bugs, and shallow systems that fail to deliver on the game's potential. Missing online multiplayer, limited customization, and poor AI contribute to a sense that the game falls short. - Fun (weight 0.11): The game is simply fun to play, with accessible arcade racing, strategy elements, and a variety of eras and challenges. Its casual yet engaging gameplay makes it enjoyable for quick sessions or longer play. - Enthusiasm (weight 0.07): Enthusiastic players praise the game as a fantastic F1 arcade racer with deep career mode, engaging sim elements, and great presentation. They see it as a hidden gem and one of the best in its genre. - Annoyance (weight 0.06): Annoyance is caused by recurring control lockups, repetitive music, and excessive pop-ups. Unfair AI behavior, costly part failures, and RNG-based perks also irritate players. - Love (weight 0.05): Players love the game's heart, nostalgic style, and perfect mix of arcade racing and strategy. The deep career mode, progression through F1 eras, and obvious passion from the developers make it a favorite. - Nostalgia (weight 0.05): The retro aesthetics, music, and gameplay evoke memories of classic 90s racing games like Virtua Racing and early F1 titles. The low-poly graphics and golden era F1 atmosphere strongly resonate with players. - Excitement (weight 0.05): Excitement comes from intense racing, close finishes, and the blend of arcade and simulation elements. Players are thrilled by career rivalries, local multiplayer, and the anticipation of future content. - Appreciation (weight 0.05): Players appreciate the stylish retro visuals, attention to detail, and smooth performance even on low-end hardware. The game's passion, nostalgic charm, and accessible simcade racing are highly valued. - Surprise (weight 0.04): Surprise stems from the game exceeding low expectations with its depth, accuracy, and fun factor. Many players are pleasantly shocked by how complete and engaging it is for its price. - Joy (weight 0.04): Joy is felt through the pure fun of racing, especially in splitscreen and at classic tracks like Monaco. The game brings back childhood feelings and provides some of the most fun racing in years. - Amusement (weight 0.04): Amusement arises from the chaotic AI collisions, humorous driver interactions, and lighthearted customization options. The game doesn't take itself too seriously, leading to laugh-out-loud moments. - Impressed (weight 0.03): Players are impressed by the depth of strategy and sim-like mechanics in an arcade racer. The presentation, AI behavior, and management systems exceed expectations for the genre. - Anger (weight 0.02): Anger is triggered by poor programming, unfair AI, and interface issues that falsify player input. The lack of controller remapping and useless power-ups further infuriate players. - Engagement (weight 0.02): The game keeps players engaged through its rewarding career mode, strategic depth, and relationship mechanics. The flow and density of gameplay make it hard to put down. - Admiration (weight 0.01): Admiration is directed at the developer's skill and care, delivering a high-quality indie game with a career mode better than some AAA titles. The consistent quality across their games is praised. - Relaxation (weight 0.01): Players find the game relaxing and a great way to decompress after work. Its accessible nature and F1 spirit allow for enjoyable, low-stress sessions. - Boredom (weight 0.01): Boredom sets in due to a lack of challenge in early seasons and repetitive championship mode. Some players find the game boring despite its difficulty.}