Game update: 16/03/16

It's time to rev up your engine and make your way to the start line, because this week's update is all about driving fast.

To gear up for the new Formula One season starting this weekend there is a selection of new content revolving around racing, with it all available from level 29. If you're playing on Android then the installation of a new version of the game from Google Play is necessary to bag the new stuff - it's called 'Restaurant Story: Hot Rod Cafe' and can be found here.

In the mean time let's have that ever so traditional list of additions:

Tables:

• Race Checker Table - 3 gems

Chairs:

• Drivers Seat - 10,000 coins

Wall decorations:

• Racing Flags - 8,000 coins

Floor decorations:

• Pit Crew - 10 gems
• Hot Rod Cafe - 15 gems
• Hot Rod - 25,000 coins

Appliances:

• Hot Rod Stove - 28,000 coins

It's not the most detailed update we've ever seen, but I think it's still a decent collection. It's the pricing which stands out with no mega expensive gem item in sight and plenty of coin options. But the original theme is also a factor in my optimism - this is not something we've really had in any capacity before, which just goes to show that after all this time the game's developers can still come up with novel concepts.

We'll start the analysis by feasting our eyes on an image taken from the Storm8 Blog which shows all the new content:

Items from update as shown on Storm8 Blog

The biggest buy is the Hot Rod Cafe which measures at 4x4 in size and costs 15 gems. This is an eatery themed on racing, with lots of small inclusions adding up to a pretty rich decoration. The back of the barista's unit is made up of car parts, while there's a large trophy glistening in the corner for whoever triumphs in the race. Along with the fireproof suits the bots are adorning there are black and white chequered patterns on the tables and floor, All in all this is a good piece, especially for 15 gems.

The Hot Rod is also excellent value, not least because it's available for coins. This one is 3x3 and features a delighted driver punching the air as he takes the chequered flag which is being waved by an even more delighted girl (does she have a bet on the guy to win?!) I must say I really like this item, perhaps because it is really dynamic.

My only tinge of sadness is brought on by the lack of a similar decoration without the flag bearing girl. Could you imagine if we were able to construct out own race including the participating cars? We could choose the course and the surroundings, with the cars zooming around the track. I definitely encourage Storm8 to add such cars, even if they just rework the Hot Rod they've already produced.

A big race isn't complete without a pit stop, and the Pit Crew will do their utmost to ensure you are in and out as quickly as possible. I like how the three bots involved are all at different stages of the procedure - one is attaching a wheel, one is using the gun to remove a wheel, and another is fuelling up the beast. The only thing missing is the driver in the cockpit! I suppose he has seen the pit stop as an opportunity to nip out for a cup of tea!

The driver can still feel like he's at the wheel while sipping his tea thanks to the Drivers Seat. This chair is a bucket seat designed to give you the best possible protection if the worst should happen and you end up in the barrier. This is a fine achievement in the level of detail the gamemakers are able to achieve these days, with the seatbelt draped across the seat.

The accompanying table is the Race Checker Table, which repeats the black and white pattern already seen in the Hot Rod Cafe. I quite like the simplicity of it - there's been no attempt to be overly elaborate with it, and that is to its benefit. I imagine this table will work very nicely with the Black and White floor tiles.

The chequered pattern continues with the Racing Flags. The black and white chequered flag signals the end of the race, and is the sight every driver dreams of being first to see. In this wall decoration there are two flags crossed over which means it's perhaps more of a decorative piece than a functional one.

We've reached a tight hairpin, with the Hot Rod Stove approaching. It requires 6 Brass Diverters, 6 Drip Pans and 4 Racing Stripe Knobs to build, with the last of these being a new part.

Racing Stripe Knob

The last non-goal appliance to be released was the Ranch Range two weeks ago, and like it we have the 6-6-4 format for part demands. There's no doubt about it - these are early indications that the gamemakers are changing the prerequisites for such cookers, and I for one am pleased to see a little more variety, even if it is just in the number of parts necessary for construction. Mixing things up always keeps the game fresh and interesting.

On the Hot Rod Stove are three recipes, along with six mastery gems in waiting.

Hot Rod Stove recipes

If we're being honest the Spotlight Brownies is the only one of the trio which is actually racing themed, although I do like the look of the Racing Wrap. Is this the first wrap we've ever had? I think it may be!

Let's have some ratings:

Racing Wraps
Profit	XP gain	Portions	Profit per plate	Availability	Rating
4	7	3	10	8	5.5

Racing Skewers
Profit	XP gain	Portions	Profit per plate	Availability	Rating
4	3	4	10	8	4.5

Spotlight Brownies
Profit	XP gain	Portions	Profit per plate	Availability	Rating
6	7	5	10	8	6.6

Not bad at all, with the Spotlight Brownies the highlight. There's no factor on which it falls down, and that inevitably leads to an impressive overall score. It actually rates very closely to the recent Ranch Roast (Ranch Range) but is slightly better on profit and portions. The outcome is a tie for 11th in the overall stakes among 8 hour dishes, which is no mean feat in a duration which now houses 69 recipes.

Into the finish straight we go, with another Value Pack exclusively for iOS players rounding off this update post.

Value Pack including Leprechaun House

The Leprechaun House was offered along with 25 gems last Friday, with the deal expiring earlier this week. The Leprechaun House is a second prize in the Lucky Chest, and with the Irish Band released as a limited time offer last Wednesday we've now seen both second prizes from that box released in some capacity ahead of St Patrick's Day.

I don't really rate the Leprechaun House if I'm honest. It's very much a fantasy item and doesn't live up to the billing of a box second prize. That said it isn't a complete dud, and with precious little Irish themed décor in the market this Value Pack represented a fine opportunity for players to invest in a decoration which undoubtedly fits the Irish mould.

I have to say that I really like this update. The racing theme is original and is a rare case of a regular update which is affordable. It's not often the most expensive addition is just 15 gems, so we should really cherish this particular aspect of it. I can certainly see myself doing some sort of racing section at some point, although for now I'm focusing on a very special revamp to my place which - if you haven't visited my restaurant already - is going to be taking precedent for the next while. More on that this Saturday!