FUEL

Free roaming arcade racing in a huge environment

FUEL is the latest driving game from Codemasters. Throwing you into a post-apocalyptic world, you have to race for your survival and to earn the game's currency - fuel.

The major achievement of FUEL is its enourmous 5,560 square miles world. It also features dynamic weather events that look spectacular as you fly over the wastelands. This demo lets you roam freely around a portion of the world, either in a Buggy or on a motorbike. You can also compete in a race on the bike.

While the scenery is immediately impressive, it seems to make the game very power hungry, and to run FUEL smoothly even on the lower detail setting, you'll need a high-end PC. The driving is very much arcade style, and you are free during a race to take whatever route you want between checkpoints. It's not the best driving experience ever - last year's PURE was faster and more enjoyable - but it's certainly the biggest. Control feels quite floaty - as if the vehicles aren't entirely on the ground.

If you enjoy the racing here, the full game sounds great, with more space to explore than in any other game. It's a big download for a demo, but driving fans will love messing around in the post apocalyptic hills and valleys of FUEL.

FUEL is a great concept, but is let down by a slightly weak driving experience.