I will recommend it for $1. It simply isn’t worth more. The game offers very fun mechanics of economy and management. And even though it lacks depth, the pitfall is that while offering solid mechanisms in plantation management and trading, it for some reason concentrates on getting paintings. I would welcome this game more warmly if it did the reverse and offered masterpiece-hunting as a secondary mechanic – not the main focus of the game. Also, the game lacks a tutorial and tooltips / info of functions, and it becomes repetitive very fast. If you like something similar but deeper and better made (also – well aged) look into Patrician 3.

A fun little light strategy game. The gameplay consists of time management and economic strategy, as you have to be in the right places at the right times in order to buy the paintings needed to win, while also having to visit and manage your plantations and visit the emporiums routinely in order to make money. Extra features like profitable (but time-consuming) expeditions into the unknown, fake paintings up for auction, art classes that let you spot fakes, a stock market, and horse races you can bet on, make the game more engaging. The presentation is quaint and charming. Overall, the concept of the game isn't stellar, but it is well executed, resulting in a game that is fun to play, for as long as the limited concept and scope allow it.

The Great Art Race is a light, simple, short, and casual strategy game. Once you develop a system for creating cash and being punctual to the auctions, it will be an almost effortless win even on the more advanced difficulty setting. There are some randomized events, but they will not effect the outcome very much. The graphics and presentation are not impressive at all, to say the least. There is very little animation, and minimal sound. It is fun for about two hours or so, keeping in mind there won't be very much of a replay value. Once you're done (and you'll be done quickly), there's not much to go back to. It somehow reminds me of a less fun Jones in the Fast Lane from the early 90s. I played for about 2 hours, and I plan on keeping it installed for the time being, just in case I feel like playing a quick "coffee break" game.