Formula One Championship Edition

"A good game if you havent already played it"

The F1 franchise makes the big move across to the PS3 and now its release is global. While this has been a long anticipated game for fans and non fans alike ultimately it may not be as great as it seems.

Graphics: 9/10

Graphically this game is beautiful there is no denying that. It far surpasses anything we've seen previously on the PS2 and on the so called PC games that are updated every year by fans. Reflections, Dynamic light and rubbery tyres all make this game a feast for the eyes. Weather effects are done almost perfectly you cant see a thing in the slipstream going at 200mph in the rain just as it should be!

Sound: 5/10

This is where it comes down to having played the PS2 version and if you actually watch F1 or not. Initially trailers showed the cars with real engine sounds which led many to believe we'd finally be getting the awesome sound of F1 engines. Were we misled? Yes. What we are given is the PS2 engine sounds with more bass/audio channels despite this they still sound like a blender and vaccum cleaner competing for the loudest sound. If you havent played the PS2 version perhaps its much less of a disappointment. Commentary in this game is unchaged from the PS2 version so dont expect the power of the PS3 being used for this. Again we're let down on something that should have been improved/fixed.

Gameplay: 8/10

This is where the game excels the handling is brilliant. You can experience for your self how a driver feels going flat out through the monaco tunnel. Difficulty has been improved from the PS2 version giving many hardcore F1 gamers what they wanted a real challenge and you definately get it. The AI is alot better than the previous title but again could use some work as they are all too willing to smash into you and take both you and themselves out of the race. Part of the big draw about this game was the online mode. While I'm not really interested in playing F1 games online it maybe a feature that some gamers are willing to use. The online is much improved since the last time we saw online in a F1 game (F1 05). Alot more player cars can now race against one another making racing alot more fun if you're tired of the offline modes.

How you like or dislike this game is dependant on a few things. Did you play the PS2 version? Did you believe you were going to be given what the developers Studio Liverpool had promised? and lastly do you think shiny graphics and effects are what make a game?

Pros:
- Graphics are beyond awesome
- Online mode is now finally included
- Its F1 on the PS3

Cons:
- If you've played F106 on the PS2 you're playing the same game but with improved visuals
- Engines still sound like your vaccum on steriods
- Commentary is not improved upon
- NO safety car was mentioned many times
- 1 Year behind real F1. 2006 teams/drivers no Spa track.

While my rating score of 6/10 is no average its what people who wanted a full step up from the PS2 will think of it as. On the plus side Studio Liverpool may have got some non-f1 fans to buy this game but negatively they also would have lost some F1 fans in the process.

Reviewer's Score: 6/10, Originally Posted: 03/15/07