Apologies for another dull screenshot, but there's no time to take them when exciting things are happening.

So I went and did a two-race series. First race round some French track was fine, then it was on to the Montreal track. It’s a really nicely-designed track, with some excellent corners. I was robbed of victory, though, when I hit a barrier on the penultimate corner and the car in second place came zooming past. Horribly annoying, especially as I have a feeling it was only rubber-banding that kept him so close behind me.

Montreal, I believe. Looks like everyone's on strike except for us racers.

I’ve found another minor complaint, though. The career races I’ve done so far have all been four laps, which is a little long. Two or three laps would have been a better fit for an iPhone game, I think. The AI cars always seem to be just behind me, too, so I’m a bit concerned that there’s some rubber-banding going on. That’s fine in an arcade racer, but it something a little more simulation-based it seems wrong.

Still, whatever complaints I have got do have to be weighed against the important thing: the cars feel good to drive. That’s what really counts and Gameloft have – somewhat to my surprise, I have to admit – nailed it.

I got this for Laguna Seca, which thankfully is unlocked for quick racing from the start. (In fact, there are a good amount of cars and tracks unlocked in that mode at the beginning. I’m not sure if it’s all of them, but it’s a good selection.) I need Laguna Seca with me at all times, so I’ve been waiting for this game with baited breath.

First off, it’s a bit of a mess technically. It’s all a little “bitty” and sometimes hard to read at distance, not helped by some amazing (in a bad way) pop up. Opponents often seem to be floating above the track a bit. The framerate ducks and dives like a featherweight boxer, too. And either Laguna Seca is hillier in this version than in other games, or there’s some oddness with the view point, because you can definitely see less of the track ahead of you. (Possibly done on purpose to minimise the pop up?)

Yes, it has replays. I assume from the icon you can upload them to YouTube.

There’s all sorts of settings and driving aids. I turned stability management down to half and braking assist off entirely, stuck with the tilt controls and found a surprisingly good driving model. It’s not as simulation-based as I expected, but it’s no Ridge Racer and it’s really rather exciting and satisfying.

I didn’t get a good look at any opponent AI that may or may not exist, but there doesn’t seem to be any damage model at all.

After a few races of Laguna Seca in a couple of different cars I went into Career mode. If the game wasn’t an obvious rip-off of Gran Turismo before, it certainly is here.

I've rarely seen anything more blatant.

You have to pass tests to get your licence, then buy a car, all that malarky. I’ve only got by C licence and had a look at the available cars so far.

Based on half an hour or so, then, this is a horrible rip-off, fairly ugly and a technical mess, but seems to be saved by the amount of licensed content and a genuinely decent driving model. It’s definitely more than good enough for what I want – which, to remind you, is Laguna Seca in my pocket – but playing it when I’ve actually got my PSP with me would be idiocy.