Golden Lap review

Golden Lap review

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades under my belt, I’ve seen my fair share of management sims that leave me feeling overwhelmed and underwhelmed all at once. But Golden Lap has managed to strike a perfect balance – it’s simple enough for casual players like myself, yet complex enough to keep hardcore fans engaged.


Many management simulations often flood players with excessive statistics, which can be daunting for newcomers who may lack prior knowledge about the subject matter they are managing. While F1 Manager is an excellent series, it might be too complex for casual gamers seeking excitement from racing without getting mired in the sport’s intricacies. On the other hand, Golden Lap simplifies the gameplay to create a more user-friendly and thrilling experience that captures the essence of 1970’s formula one, emphasizing its exhilaration and danger.

Following a glance at Golden Lap lately, I find myself eager to explore several game seasons and experience the authentic development over time, as well as gauge if it manages to keep me engaged. This straightforward style is even reflected in its visuals. You observe a race taking place through a simplified view of the track, with colored dots moving around it. Over takes and road bumps influence where drivers move in the rankings, and while it might not initially sound exciting, there were numerous instances where I was riveted to the screen, hoping my drivers would hold their ground till the finish line.

Golden Lap review

Starting off in the racing season, choosing the appropriate team, drivers, and engineers within budget constraints is a tough task. I prefer rooting for the underdog, so I opted for less powerful drivers with the goal of helping them secure a championship as quickly as possible. Victory can bring wealth, but it also brings its own set of challenges. As you progress through the season, you’ll be able to improve your car, and aspects like tire management during a race will be crucial in reaching the top step of the podium.

Risks are part of the process. You can push drivers at different times in an effort to rise through the rankings, but poor weather and taking these risks can lead to the death of a driver if you’re not careful. It’s pretty shocking seeing a notification appear alerting you to the tragedy, and it was surprising how attached you get to a singular cartoon avatar of your driver and their coloured dot on a track layout. That personality also comes through when arguments break out, or a racer comes into race weekend with a hangover, impacting their performance and leaving you pretty annoyed at their reckless behaviour.

Golden Lap review

Golden Lap is so simple, but that is what makes it a lot of fun. Race seasons take hours to play out in other simulation titles, but things move much faster and make the experience better for it. It has plenty of strategic elements, especially during the race, and you’re always keeping a close eye on your drivers for any opportunity to try and climb the rankings without putting their lives at risk. You’ll take great responsibility for how your drivers perform, and I can’t stress enough just how it manages to portray the dangers of how racing was back in the 70s.

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2024-09-30 13:45