RVF Honda

STORY / GAMEPLAY
RVF Honda is a quite realistic and faithful moto racing simulation developed in the early 90s. In this game, you have the opportunity to master a Honda powerful 750cc motorbike. Like all racing drivers, you start by competing at club level eventually graduating to national events and then to the international circuit. Actual race tracks, such as Donnington, Mockenheim and Salzburgring, are accurately simulated. The circuits feature puddles of water that make the bike's handling tougher and oil leaks that make you lose balance and fall. It takes time to remount the bike and get back on track by revving the bike at high speeds, so you must be careful! In every curve, you always have to decelerate and simultaneously shift down the bike's gears (6 in total), otherwise you'll crash on any obstacle outside the track. Quite tricky at the beginning but once you master your bike's controls, you'll be flying at 200mph! Note that the game loads from the same disk on the Amiga and ST (a rare detail for its time)! Also there is a two-players link mode with which you can connect an Atari ST with an Amiga! Overall, RVF Honda is a great racing simulator with an arcade touch, which tends to be very addictive!

GRAPHICS / SOUND
The graphics on the Amiga version look great and are slightly better in terms of colors (especially at the backdrop shadings) compared to the ST (50+ Vs 30). But I personally prefer the ST version for it plays smoother and at higher speeds. As with the ST version, the game has a variety of details such as crashes, real time indicators (RPM, Speed, Distance covered) and even this funny sequence where you have to push the bike to restart it! Also, the opponent riders and their bikes are well drawn and animated. If the game had more solid landscapes, it would be just perfect! The sound features sampled sound effects like engine throttles on both the Amiga and ST version, whilst there is also a nice intro tune!