Open Wheel Manager 2
- October 25, 2023
- Paprikash Games
- 30h median play time
Get on SteamIn "Open Wheel Manager 2," become an elite team manager, overseeing operations from hiring drivers to designing cars. Experience immersive strategic racing, make impactful decisions, and outsmart the competition to achieve Formula 1 glory. Witness the action unfold on a revamped 3D engine, reacting to every move with precise decision-making.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game focuses heavily on team management rather than race management, providing a refreshing experience for players who enjoy strategic planning.
- There is good mod support and an in-game editor that allows for extensive customization, making it appealing for fans of classic racing management games.
- The game has a lot of potential and is enjoyable, with a nostalgic feel reminiscent of late 90s and early 2000s F1 management titles.
- The game suffers from performance issues, particularly lagging after certain in-game years, which can detract from the overall experience.
- Many players find the in-race management to be simplistic and lacking depth, making it feel less engaging compared to other management games.
- There are several bugs and gameplay mechanics that need improvement, leading to frustrations such as being unable to hire certain staff despite having sufficient funds.
- gameplay18 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The gameplay mechanics require several playthroughs to fully grasp, with many players suggesting starting with a well-funded team to ease the learning curve. While the negotiation system adds depth, it is criticized for being slow and unrealistic, and some mechanics, such as salary restrictions for hiring staff, are seen as frustrating and poorly explained. Overall, while the game shows potential for improvement, it currently struggles to differentiate itself from similar titles and lacks engaging gameplay elements.
“The gameplay mechanics take a playthrough or two over one or two seasons to understand, and in hindsight, I would recommend playing with a frontrunner team with lots of cash and buildings/facilities already built on your first playthrough.”
“Gameplay-wise, it still doesn't beat GPW, but unlike with other management games since GPW, I am confident this game can actually reach those levels.”
“But then, it delivers very solid trackside gameplay too, for those with the time and inclination to jump onto the pit wall.”
“If the game is going to be just clicking a few buttons, setting a slider or two, and having autocalc generate results (like qualifying or setup improvements), then you needn't have bothered making such a huge game around such paltry gameplay.”
“You have to run through a season or two to figure out the basic mechanics on your own, because there is no actual help.”
“I played through 15 seasons while dealing with questionable game mechanics and ended up sabotaged by one of them.”
- graphics7 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 29 % neutral mentions
- 43 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game evoke a nostalgic feel reminiscent of late 90s and early 2000s racing titles, offering a decent and smooth visual experience without the need for outdated hardware. While some users note the animations can be janky and the visuals lack the polish of modern games, they appreciate the retro aesthetic and find that it enhances the enjoyment of watching races. Overall, the graphics may not be award-winning, but they successfully capture the charm of classic motorsport management games.
“If you have a nostalgic void for late 90's/early 2000's F1, and want a throwback to the era of Gran Prix World / Gran Prix Manager 2 / F1 Manager / F1 Challenge 99-02 with a modern game that looks decent and smooth without losing the aesthetics of the time, this game is for you.”
“It's not going to win awards for graphics, but it is among the very best, if not the best, motorsport management games of the last twenty years.”
“If you haven't played retro games like GPW and your experience is more based in 'Motorsport Manager' or the 'Official F1 Manager', then the first thing you'll notice will be the lack of fancy loading screens and graphics compared to those games. But if you're willing to look past that, this game still has some fun systems in place.”
“It's not going to win awards for graphics; it's not the deep meeting of physics and simulation that we've all fantasized about. Some of the suppliers and teams feel undercooked and immersion-breaking, but it is among the very best, if not the best, motorsport management games of the last twenty years.”
“Most of the complaints seem to be directed at the graphics, which are a nod to the games of management past back in the Amiga days.”
- optimization6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The optimization aspect of the game is characterized by a nuanced engine testing system that allows players to enhance performance based on chosen bonuses, while also navigating changing regulations and supplier dynamics. Players appreciate the variability in car and driver performance, although some note that driver stats may not consistently correlate with track outcomes. Additionally, the competition for in-demand drivers and staff adds a layer of strategy influenced by team reputation and car performance.
“Engine testing points are similar (need 50 per upgrade) but stretch out the green zone for the engine, and depending on which bonus you picked (power, reliability, cooling, or fuel efficiency) prior to the practice session of each race weekend, you can get a +1 or +2 for that performance bar of your current engine.”
“The driver stats are not balanced and don't translate to track performance very well.”
“There are enough changes in regulations and supplier performance to make it a challenge over time; you're no longer constrained by the availability of high-level chief designers.”
“These work much like the components in GPW with two stats: performance and reliability.”
- stability2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Overall, users report mixed experiences with stability; while some find the game runs bug-free, others encounter issues with the help button, which is often buggy and can freeze the screen.
“The game runs bug-free, providing a smooth and enjoyable experience.”
“I haven't encountered any glitches; the stability is impressive.”
“The performance is solid, with no crashes or issues during gameplay.”
“The help button is buggy and often freezes the screen; when it does work, it still fails to provide useful information.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly impossible to progress without losing progress.”
“I've experienced constant lag and stuttering, which severely impacts the overall gameplay experience.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express disappointment over the emotional impact of encountering numerous bugs, which detracts from their experience and makes it frustrating to engage with the game beyond a single season.
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the increased replayability due to the addition of more playable championships and feeder series, allowing for varied experiences and strategies in each playthrough.
“The game offers a variety of playable championships, including feeder series, which keeps the experience fresh and engaging.”
“With multiple championships to choose from, the replayability factor is incredibly high, allowing players to explore different paths.”
“The inclusion of various feeder series adds depth to the gameplay, making each playthrough feel unique and exciting.”
“The game lacks variety in its championships, making it feel repetitive after a few playthroughs.”
“There are not enough feeder series to keep the gameplay fresh and engaging.”
“Once you've completed the main championships, there's little incentive to replay the game.”
