Eat, Sleep, Bet, Repeat

I've never been driven to write any kind of review before, but the 13 euro price tag on this game is completely insane and has forced me into action. An incredibly basic piece of work, i was bored in minutes. I racked up 12 hours playing time because i fell asleep while at my laptop. I tried the game a second time but still it held no interest for me. I couldn't possibly, in good conscience, recommend this game to anyone and i'm gonna wait for more reviews to appear for it and see what other people think, but i'm pretty certain it won't go down well with most people. I'd maybe pay 2 or 3 euros for it, any more than that and it's a rip off. Don't buy it.

A very unique but simple 80's game that reflects gives a nice retro feeling and an old visual style. Most of the game is spent in the betting shop trying to win on the horses (and football once a week) to survive. On starting it feels a bit repetitive. And it is! But the game grew on me after a few quick sessions and the horse racing becomes quite engaging as time goes on. The pub and beach are just add-ons that serve to give you a possible funds boost should you run low on cash. That's about it really. It does have a nice 80's feel and I would recommend this with the proviso that you remember the 80's and old betting shops! LOL. It's just an odd game. Anyway, in some way’s it feels like it has something to say around run down town centres and unemployment culture and the hopeless lives that used to (and probably still do) spend their day’s living this repetitive life. Maybe this game is some kind of cultural statement not normally seen in video games or maybe it’s just a simple game. I read on the forums something about 'staring at a Lava lamp' but it feels more like a weird retro experience rather than a game if that makes sense. I suspect a large number of gamers just won't get it but I enjoy playing it albeit in brief sittings. I think it has a lot of potential to be developed and expanded with a story and extra locations.

Let's get this out of the way early doors. The game doesn't have a story or any real progression, other than your bank balance growing. There aren't any upgrades and it does feel quite simplistic. But what it lacks in depth it makes up for in nostalgia. If you haven't ever been to the bookies during the 80s or 90s then you might want to avoid this one. However, if you remember a time before the casino machines took over the high street then strap yourself in. While the game may not look much from the screenshots, it does a decent job of recreating the tv screens and racing papers that were an essential part of a saturday afternoon. The football section feels a bit tacked on to be honest but it does help add some variety. The best part about the game is that you can just chill out, read through the form and pick a winner. You then get to listen to some basic commentary in the bookies and if you don't win you can drown your sorrows in the pub next door. The real challenge is trying to make your money last until your next giro gets cashed. If you are looking for a deep immersive racing game then I would suggest Starters Orders. If you've had a long day at work and you just fancy trying your luck without the risk of losing any real money then this game is really relaxing and good simple fun. A couple of suggestions for the dev. Greyhound DLC would be nice. A bit more of a tipping section in the newspaper with naps would be fun.

A terrible game, absolutely no depth to it at all. should be 11p not £11.

Firstly I helped BETA test this and got the game for free. So take this as you like: Where do I start? This is an odd game but is it any good? First play after 10 mins got bored. Then I came back to it. Played for about 1/2 hour. Come back to it and played while having a late night drink... Until I realised that I was starting to really enjoy it... So I'm glad I stuck with it and here is my review: Unashamedly harping back to the 1980's and revolving around a dirty 'bedsit' and a betting shop that features lot's of smoke and audio commentary. You receive unemployment benefits every two weeks and have to survive by gambling in the betting shop or playing the fruit machine in the pub. I have to say the fruit machine seems to be a tricky proposition for making money! The betting shop is the core of the game with a realistic sports simulation of horse racing and football (all 1980's style). The horse racing is by far the deeper and becomes very involving as the game progresses. The football side could do with some improvements. The pub and beach are places to visit primarily when you are getting short of funds as they work on a kind of community chest system where you get random cards often giving you extra funds or food. You will spend most of your time in the betting shop. There is little actual progression to the game apart from the Steam achievements but that kind of adds to the hopeless vibe of being stuck on benefits in some seaside town in the arse end of nowhere. Initially the monotony can be a bit off putting but after a while becomes kind of hypnotic. You can add your own music tracks which play back through the radio with an authentic crackly sound. The real fun for me comes with the thrill of choosing a horse and listening to the audio commentary. Audio commentary is unpredictable. It doesn't matter if your horse has not been mentioned you still cling to the hope that it will finish fast and be called on the winning line. In summary it's a very original and unique game but not for everyone. It's like a little dirty, old fashioned alternate life I relive now and again on my PC. Why? I'm not sure, maybe nostalgia but I regularly feel compelled to play. All to a soundtrack of Depeche Mode and The Police! Recommended.

It's not for everyone but I like it. Trying to survive as an 80's delinquent by playing the horses and having random acts of weirdness on the beach is pretty amusing. They are using their starters orders game to play out the races. Apparently in the 80's bookie shops in England, punters bet on races with only an audio call of the race. I'm only guessing because I'm from the states... Wish they would use the announcer calls for their starters orders races but I digress... So yeah it's stupid, it's fun and weird but there is nothing like it. If you like horse racing, then you should give this a go because there just isn't much out there for us.

Avoid this dreadful game. Absolutely no story to it, just a loser betting sleeping, eating, and betting. The bookmaker scenes are the worst as you are in a smoke filled bookies listening to a shocking commentary, the people around you continually cough and fart. You can almost smell the odour coming from this truly awful game, probably the worst game on steam. DO NOT BUY you have been warned.

I am really enjoying this game. It is an oddity. The game revolves around surviving day to day by betting on football and horse racing as an unemployed lout in a run down seaside town. The horse racing is the real focus and contains a detailed simulation. Since the 3D race sequence has been added (recently) this game is a much better proposition. Surviving is quite hard as your health reduces quickly. You can top up via the kebab house but if you lose your money in the betting shop it can often be a long wait to the next giro cheque leading to death and the end of the game. The game can not really be 'won' but has a certain charm that will no doubt appeal to a certain demographic.

Fun game, recommend if you like to bet w/o losing your shirt. It's the only horse racing game I found, has an announcer calling the race. Yes it's a computer voice, and sometimes it repeats the same statement over and over. Especially if a horse gets a big lead. The graphics are kinda 90's, but that's okay. The jukebox doesn't work. Besides who has OGG's anyways? Oh and it's the only game, also doesn't have you taking care of a horse. I don't wanna raise a horse, I wanna BET on them! Wish the dev would come back, clean up the jukebox issue and some other bits. I f you liked Arlington Horse racing on Mame, you'll love this.

This game is about gambling on horse races... with atmosphere of being a degenerate in 80s England. It has good, basic gambling mechanics with past performances and nice virtual races (although some deeper betting options like exactas would be nice). So yeah, buy this game if you want a horse race betting simulation on steam... that's what it is.