Originally intended as an addon to the mighty GTR (review PCA August, with a score of 6/6), developer Simbin decided mid-course to fully deck it out as a stand-alone game. Praise be that they did. GT Legends has all the strengths of GTR – being an unbeatably sweet driving feel and lush graphics – with none of the icky bits – GTR was scarily hard to master.

Pitched as a historical simulation, GT Legends lets you take some of the sexiest cars ever out for a hard thrash. It’s structured as a proper game, meaning you’ll need to play through a career to ‘unlock’ cars and tracks as you go. Some sim purists have issues with that, but it really does make it a more satisfying and complete experience as it is. You’ll hit the track in a little Mini, move through the ranks of mid-range cars like the Mustang and 911, eventually graduating to drive supercars from the 60s and 70s like the fearsome and never modelled before Detomaso Pantera.

Where GTR asked that you memorise every centimeter of every track and mind-meld with the cars to clock up an incident free lap, GT Legends is a little softer, a little friendlier. You can go hard and thrash the cars and still do a safe and fast and fun lap. It’s very seat-of-the-pants driving which is extremely satisfying.

Being historical, many old tracks have been recreated for the game. They might be apartment blocks now, but these beautiful tracks live on in this wonderful game and it’s a treat to drive around new tarmac for a change.

Needless to say a steering wheel is essential. Just like this game, if you’re any kind of petrol head it’s a must-buy.