New Star GP

Bite sized sim racer for the beginner F1 enthusiast

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"New Star GP" is an arcade racing game where you manage your own motorsport team, making important decisions both on and off the track. With its stunning retro visuals and 1990s-inspired driving experience, the game challenges you to master race strategy, tyre choice, fuel load, and more to lead your team to victory from the 1980s to the present day. Your choices truly matter in this immersive and engaging racing experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

93%

Audience ScoreBased on 426 reviews

graphics29 positive mentions

optimization3 negative mentions

A beautiful combination of retro graphics and engaging arcade racing mechanics, reminiscent of classic titles like Virtua Racing.
The career mode is fun and fulfilling, offering a variety of events and strategic elements that keep players engaged.
The game successfully balances arcade accessibility with enough depth in car handling and management to satisfy both casual and more experienced players.

The AI can be overly aggressive and frustrating, often leading to collisions that disrupt the racing experience.
Some players find the game too easy, especially in the early stages, with a lack of challenge in races.
The management aspect, while interesting, can feel tedious and punishing, with team members often unhappy despite good performance.

graphics
51 mentions
57 % positive mentions
37 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their vibrant, retro-inspired aesthetic reminiscent of classic arcade titles like Virtua Racing, combining low-poly visuals with modern flourishes that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the colorful art style and smooth performance, which contribute to an engaging atmosphere, despite some subjective critiques regarding the simplicity and lack of advanced graphical options. Overall, the visuals effectively complement the fun gameplay and in-depth career mode, making it a standout title for both retro enthusiasts and new players alike.
- “A beautiful combination of Virtua Racing-type graphics with an arcadey but fulfilling career mode which takes you through the decades as an open-wheel racer.”
- “The graphics here are superb, putting modern flourishes on a very low-poly visual style that give it this wonderful, playful, and colorful aesthetic.”
- “Very easy to pick up and play - simple to navigate and understandable UI, beautiful retro graphics and simple but polished physics puts this title above the rest of the retro racers.”
- “Don't let the graphics deceive you.”
- “On a subjective level, I also find the Wii-like graphical style a bit of a turn-off, but it's not even done particularly well from an objective standpoint, and everything needs more of a color gradient generally.”
- “Due to the graphic design of the game, I also kind of find it hard to see the end of a road just due to the textures, and this also makes spotting the pit lane a pain sometimes.”
gameplay
44 mentions
34 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its strategic depth and engaging mechanics, offering a mix of arcade racing with a solid career and upgrade system that keeps players motivated. While many appreciate the fun and addictive nature of the racing experience, some mechanics can be frustrating, such as the penalties for track edges and AI behavior. Overall, the game is praised for its accessibility, polished controls, and a satisfying blend of realism and arcade elements, making it a standout title in the genre.
- “These perks add depth to the gameplay, encouraging players to drive strategically and aggressively.”
- “Its multi-layered gameplay, dynamic relationships, and strategic depth make it a standout title.”
- “The gameplay and driving mechanics are spot on, and the mods/progression make you want to race 'just one more time' to improve your car's performance.”
- “I liked the style, the music, and the racing, but most of the other mechanics in this game were annoying.”
- “Price definitely higher for the amount of gameplay offered.”
- “Doesn't feel like crashes harm you that much mechanically, only making the punting rivals even more annoying as they can get away with just a slight loss of speed, while you are spinning through the gravel trap and getting your car components worn down extra fast.”
music
29 mentions
48 % positive mentions
41 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its upbeat and arcade-style soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere. While some players find it enjoyable and fitting for the racing experience, others describe it as standard and repetitive, leading them to prefer their own music. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a highlight, though there are suggestions for improvement in its integration and variety.
- “The driving, set to some great original music, feels good and definitely leans toward arcade racing.”
- “The art style is fun and the game's atmosphere is really upbeat thanks to the soundtrack.”
- “This is a brilliant soundtrack that really captures both the arcade racing feel, and it's hard to extrapolate, but I get the feeling sometimes I am watching an old tuner VHS of some kind.”
- “The music itself is okay, sort of standard 2020s indie racing game music (meaning synthwave inspired), but it's not exactly a soundtrack you'd buy.”
- “I personally started putting my own music on in the background after the first season.”
- “One negative point is the bad music so I turned it off.”
optimization
11 mentions
18 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
27 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is praised for its smooth performance, consistently running at 60 fps on platforms like the Steam Deck and Xbox. Players appreciate the balance between car upgrades and race strategies, which enhances gameplay without overly punishing crashes. However, some sponsor perks are considered ineffective, while certain performance-enhancing perks significantly impact racing dynamics.
- “The game features a variety of perks that you can equip to enhance your car’s performance, such as better slipstreaming, increased earnings from races, faster pit stops, and improved off-track handling.”
- “The gameplay and driving mechanics are spot on, and the mods/progression make you want to race 'just one more time' to improve your car's performance.”
- “This can make early races particularly tough until you can afford to max out your car through strong performances or clever pit strategies.”
- “Fuel weight significantly affects the performance of the car, so trying to minimize how much fuel you need can add a lot of lap time.”
- “Sponsor perks mostly suck, while perks such as the one that lets you have better control when you run off the track allow you to get away with some really drastic cuts on certain tracks.”
humor
10 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players noting its lighthearted approach and funny character interactions that enhance the overall experience. The game features amusing AI mistakes and entertaining headlines, contributing to a fun atmosphere that keeps players engaged. Overall, the blend of humor with racing elements creates a delightful and enjoyable gaming experience.
- “The game doesn't take itself too seriously; you'll see the headlines between a few races here and there, and the content is pretty funny.”
- “Basically, you can kick back after a long day but still feel like you are actually racing. Nice presentation, has some pit strategy mixed in, and best of all, it's funny.”
- “The player is presented with multiple choices constantly from fairly funny characters, which keeps you invested in the game world.”
story
9 mentions
33 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
33 % negative mentions
The game's story is enhanced through engaging elements like news articles, rivalries, and player choices that impact team dynamics, making it more than just a typical arcade racer. Players appreciate the balance of simplicity and depth in the story mode, which allows for enjoyable decision-making without overwhelming complexity. Overall, the narrative aspects contribute significantly to the game's unique appeal and enjoyment of the F1 racing experience.
- “This game would just be a decent arcade racer, but the upgrades, the progression, the multiple track variations, and how the game helps create a story through its news articles, failures, and the rivalries system makes this into a unique game that really captures the enjoyment of F1 racing.”
- “Such a fun arcade style racing game with an amazing story mode.”
- “The story mode has fun choices throughout that allow you to curry the favor of your team, forcing you to manage them in a way where you are keeping them happy.”
- “I wanted to pick up something light to have a story mode on.”
- “I guess the moral of the story is that something simple, done correctly, is vastly superior to something complex, but done poorly.”
- “☐ no story”
stability
8 mentions
88 % positive mentions
-25 % neutral mentions
38 % negative mentions
Overall, the game demonstrates strong stability, running smoothly on various platforms, including Linux through Proton and the Steam Deck. Users report minimal bugs and a solid performance, contributing to an enjoyable gaming experience. The game's graphics and framerate are also praised, enhancing its appeal.
- “Runs great on the Steam Deck, awesome straightforward fun.”
- “Game is very fleshed out and bug-free for early access, and the developers clearly have a path to full release.”
- “Runs great (as far as I can tell), graphics are crisp, and the framerate is smooth.”
- “I miss when racing games were made to just be fun, not just boring hyper-realistic buggy sims.”
- “The game crashes frequently, making it impossible to enjoy the experience.”
- “I encountered numerous bugs that completely broke my gameplay.”
atmosphere
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is characterized by its vibrant, cartoony graphics and an upbeat soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the balance of complexity in gameplay, which adds depth without causing frustration, contributing to a fun and engaging racing environment.
- “The art style is fun and the game's atmosphere is really upbeat thanks to the soundtrack.”
- “The complexity is pitched perfectly for the aim of the atmosphere of the game, with enough depth and nuance to the handling and the races without being frustrating or feeling dumbed down.”
- “I like this game a lot, the cartoony graphics, the atmosphere, the spectacular races, and the setup/pitstop stuff.”
emotional
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players express that "New Star GP" transcends typical racing games by evoking strong emotions and nostalgia, serving as a heartfelt tribute to Formula 1. However, some users report discomfort with certain camera angles, which detracts from their overall emotional experience.
- “I never realized how expensive and complicated it had been to get it at the time, but I played the game to death and I still remember how it made me feel.”
- “New Star GP is more than just a racing game, it's a celebration and a heartfelt tribute to the world of Formula 1.”
grinding
2 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Players express frustration with the grinding aspect of the game, describing it as excessively time-consuming and tedious, often requiring significant effort to progress. Additionally, issues with the menu system and seasonal limitations further exacerbate the grinding experience.
- “And don't get me started on the train wreck of a menu system, seasons (welp, it's winter again, guess I'll have to wait till next week to play), broken physics, and awful grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
replayability
2 mentions
150 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The game offers strong replayability through its engaging career mode, where players manage their team and experience dynamic events, as well as a custom championship mode. Additionally, each race weekend features multiple fun events that allow players to familiarize themselves with the tracks, enhancing the overall replay value.
- “I love when games balance simulation aspects with an arcade base. This game brings that together with an entertaining career mode where you manage your team and sometimes watch chaos ensue, as well as a custom championship mode for added replay value.”
- “Each race weekend features a variety of fun and replayable events that allow you to get acquainted with the track before jumping into the grand prix event, which can only be played once.”
- “The game offers multiple modes and challenges that keep you coming back for more, ensuring that no two playthroughs feel the same.”
monetization
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized for resembling a cash grab, particularly in light of the developer's previous mobile games that relied heavily on microtransactions. Many feel that the game is overpriced at £4.99, especially given its mobile-like gameplay experience.
- “I know New Star is good for it, considering their mobile games are cash-grabbing microtransaction horrible messes. You ruined New Star Soccer, guys. This honestly feels like it would play fine on a phone rather than being a PC game, especially at a £4.99 price tag.”
- “The monetization in this game is frustrating and feels exploitative, making it hard to enjoy the experience without spending extra money.”
- “I was really disappointed with the monetization strategy. It feels like the game is designed to push players towards making in-game purchases rather than enjoying the content.”