Last month, an e-mail message from Ron Magin was printed in the May issue. Ron is the Managing Director of Eurogames / Descartes - USA, Inc. and is currently promoting their new "Formula De" board game. This is a Formula 1 simulation game, and in exchange for a variety of F1 diecast cars, Ron sent me a sample of the game (pictured left).
While the game does not come with diecast cars, rather the
little race car pieces are plastic, it does involve toy cars and is so much
fun that I want to tell you about it. Let me begin by saying that in this
age of technological revolution, a simple low-tech board game may seem like
old news. Don't make that assumption. In fact, this game has several advantages
over the current F1 electronic simulations. First it is very satisfying
to be able to see and touch a full, 3D version of the Monaco Grand Prix.
The graphics are excellent and I enjoy arranging the little race cars on
the starting grid. Ten cars are included in appropriate solid colors. You
can choose yellow for Jordan, White for Stewart or Red for Ferrari. Blue,
Green and Orange are also available. What sets this game apart is the way
the cars are raced. A series of six dice are provided in different colors
with increasing numbers from 1-30. Each color represents a gear and as you
shift gears, you move to dice with higher numbers for higher speed. Players
must upshift or downshift as they circle the track in order to navigate
the corners without penalties for engine or tire-wear. Qualifying laps can
be run against the clock for grid position. The constant shifting, combined
with passing or being passed by other cars makes the game work. You really
get the feel of the race as you go along.