Turbo Out Run

The Good
Considering the awful job US Gold did with the original "Outrun" for the CPC, one did approach its first sequel, "Turbo Outrun", with extreme caution.

And while the apprehension was well justified, this entry in the series, which would in turn be followed by "Outrun Europa" turned out a much more satisfying game. The graphics are colourful and detailed, the scroll, while not exactly fast, is serviceable enough, and while the handling could be better the low level of difficulty makes it a really nice ride.

Actually the game is so forgiving that one can just concentrate in the beautiful scenery and ignore the game faults for a while. The much advertised "turbo" new feature is also welcome, if not too original. You simply get an (optional) extra boost now and then, while a convenient "overheat" prevents you from abusing it.

The Bad
There are some other new features, like an opponent in the shape of a Porsche 959, or the possibility to add new parts to your F40, but none of them affects gameplay that much. Actually, I'm pretty much certain that in the Amstrad CPC version the "high grip tyres" or the other parts do absolutely nothing.

Also worth of mention here is that we don't get any FX, just the same tune in every stage. It's a very nice tune, alright, but I for one would have preferred some engine and screeching sounds.

The Bottom Line
"Turbo Outrun" is an average driving game, nothing else. But considering how the original got butchered in the Amstrad CPC version, at the time "Turbo Outrun" was seen as an opportunity, and not a completely wasted one, to make things right.

The gameplay is just average, but the graphics are so nice and the game so forgiving that you'll eventually play it now and then, just for a welcome change of pace from more hectic racing games or to see the sunset in L.A. at the very end.