Lotus III: The Ultimate Challenge Lotus (series)

the third game in series combined gameplay aspects of predecessors, allowing players choose between racing opponents of lotus turbo challenge or arcade-like time trials of lotus 2. two-player option retained , music selection feature returns (patrick phelan s soundtrack lotus iii spawned many modern remixes). lotus iii added third car - concept lotus m200 automobile - , allowed player choose 1 race with. game recycled of graphics lotus 2, added number of new sceneries.

the genesis/mega drive version bears name lotus ii: recs (referring game s new course creation feature) or lotus ii depending on country of release, while ms-dos port released in 1993 called lotus: ultimate challenge. ms-dos version features lotus esprit s4 instead of esprit turbo se. apart different car s graphics, difference in gameplay minimal, if any. ms-dos version released again in 1996, time on cd-rom.

lotus iii features racing environment construction set (recs) course creation system. system allows users create race track defining various basic parameters, such amount , difficulty of turns , hills, amount of obstacles, type of scenery or difficulty of opponents. created track can raced 1 or both players. course can written in form of letter-and-digit code , later reused; these can raced individually or in series of 9 user-created tracks.

the recs system allows players create unique track without having use course editor; however, sacrificed facility of precisely positioning turns or obstacles. recs system later reused in magnetic fields game, international rally championship.

the amiga , genesis versions of lotus iii again contain hidden game, accessed password cu amiga in amiga version , pod please on genesis. game graphically enhanced remake of southern , morris commodore 64 game pod.

reception

electronic gaming monthly gave genesis version 5.4 out of 10. complimented course creation system said game otherwise more of same of first lotus game. computer gaming world in august 1994 rated 3.5 stars out of 5 , best of 4 reviewed racing games. while recommending world circuit wanting racing simulation, magazine approved of surprisingly realistic , consistent car control, variety of courses, , track designer.