Formula One Championship Edition (PS3)
- Publisher:
- SCEE
- Developer:
- SCEE
- Release Date:
- 27.02.2007
- Number of players:
- n/a
- Type:
- Formula
- Reality Factor:
- Realistic
- Age:
- Modern Times
1 movie
Formula One Championship Edition Preview
The motorway for racing some of the world’s fastest cars is officially open. Formula One Championship Edition is one of the most realistic racing games coming to the videogame market this February. Sure, these are cars you’ll never see on the streets or drive, but it has a certain elegance to it that no one can deny.
The demo, recently available on the PS3 marketplace, is great fun and a must have. It is one of those demos that makes you want to buy the game, not only because of how great it is, but because it features so much of what you’d expect to actually see in the game. The limitations of the demo are practically non-existent. Whether it was the full vehicle list, the wide range of options, or even the two tracks that can be played in an infinite number of ways, you get a feel for it.
Perhaps the greatest thing about F1 is its list of options. It was so full that it was hard to find anything missing. A list of both driving aids and difficulty settings allows for unparalleled control.
Steering & brake assistance, stability control, visual aids, spin recovery, anti-lock brakes and gearbox settings are all open to your choosing. This is great for beginners and those in the area of racing sucktitude. Eventually, weaning yourself off these aids will help make you a better driver. Hopefully.
The wide range of difficulty settings is also great. Overall difficulty, opponent AI, weather and penalties are available in the demo. The full game also features fuel & fire use and component failure. Changing any of these options changes the way race drastically, and not only in terms of difficulty. Make it rainy and the visibility goes to hell. Add penalties and bumping another car or driving on the grass will set you back a few seconds (or rankings).
Another unexpected addition is receiving messages from your driving coach. Though you can clearly see what place you are in and how well you are doing, he’ll update you on your driving, say what you need to keep doing, etc. The dialogue in the demo was limited, but expect the full game to provide more.
The announcers were also very realistic, and spoke in real-time. If something happens on the track, they’ll say it right on cue. There was a tendency to repeat the same line though, which would seem idiotic if it were real.
22 drivers and 11 teams offered a great choice of who to play as, especially for a demo, but all the cars seemed exactly the same. From listening to the game, there were V8 and V10 models, but if there are any differences between vehicles, no statistics were visible. Nothing in the game, either by blatantly placed stats on the cars or in practice gave even a hint of which was the best one.
Controls were very easy to handle as well, with steering done either with the D-pad or left thumb stick, and accelerating and braking through the right thumb stick or buttons. Shifting gears requires only flipping the right or left triggers. Unlike MotorStorm, the SIXAXIS functionality was disabled in the demo, but a recent press release stated the option would be available.
The full version will also feature the 2006 F1 season, including all the cars, circuits, drivers and teams. It will also have online racing, which should be interesting with all the different types of races that can be done.
A strict racing game based on the rules, regulations, and not killing the opposition, Formula One Championship Edition is not the game for everyone. There is no (intentional) drifting, off-roading is penalized, and hitting too many cars or walls will break your car and kick you out of the race. This isn’t pimp my ride, it’s tea time and biscuits on the go. So learn to drive right.
The demo, recently available on the PS3 marketplace, is great fun and a must have. It is one of those demos that makes you want to buy the game, not only because of how great it is, but because it features so much of what you’d expect to actually see in the game. The limitations of the demo are practically non-existent. Whether it was the full vehicle list, the wide range of options, or even the two tracks that can be played in an infinite number of ways, you get a feel for it.
 |
 |
|
Perhaps the greatest thing about F1 is its list of options. It was so full that it was hard to find anything missing. A list of both driving aids and difficulty settings allows for unparalleled control.
Steering & brake assistance, stability control, visual aids, spin recovery, anti-lock brakes and gearbox settings are all open to your choosing. This is great for beginners and those in the area of racing sucktitude. Eventually, weaning yourself off these aids will help make you a better driver. Hopefully.
The wide range of difficulty settings is also great. Overall difficulty, opponent AI, weather and penalties are available in the demo. The full game also features fuel & fire use and component failure. Changing any of these options changes the way race drastically, and not only in terms of difficulty. Make it rainy and the visibility goes to hell. Add penalties and bumping another car or driving on the grass will set you back a few seconds (or rankings).
 |
 |
|
Another unexpected addition is receiving messages from your driving coach. Though you can clearly see what place you are in and how well you are doing, he’ll update you on your driving, say what you need to keep doing, etc. The dialogue in the demo was limited, but expect the full game to provide more.
The announcers were also very realistic, and spoke in real-time. If something happens on the track, they’ll say it right on cue. There was a tendency to repeat the same line though, which would seem idiotic if it were real.
22 drivers and 11 teams offered a great choice of who to play as, especially for a demo, but all the cars seemed exactly the same. From listening to the game, there were V8 and V10 models, but if there are any differences between vehicles, no statistics were visible. Nothing in the game, either by blatantly placed stats on the cars or in practice gave even a hint of which was the best one.
Controls were very easy to handle as well, with steering done either with the D-pad or left thumb stick, and accelerating and braking through the right thumb stick or buttons. Shifting gears requires only flipping the right or left triggers. Unlike MotorStorm, the SIXAXIS functionality was disabled in the demo, but a recent press release stated the option would be available.
 |
 |
|
The full version will also feature the 2006 F1 season, including all the cars, circuits, drivers and teams. It will also have online racing, which should be interesting with all the different types of races that can be done.
A strict racing game based on the rules, regulations, and not killing the opposition, Formula One Championship Edition is not the game for everyone. There is no (intentional) drifting, off-roading is penalized, and hitting too many cars or walls will break your car and kick you out of the race. This isn’t pimp my ride, it’s tea time and biscuits on the go. So learn to drive right.
-
Gameplay Trailer
Posted 17.11.06
Length 01:30 Views 1908
