Formula One Championship Edition

"Realistically, the most unrealistic F1 game to date."

F1 Championship Edition debuted as one of the first titles for the PlayStation 3. While not a hit among casual fans of motorsport or people who know little to nothing about Formula 1, it was seen as the savior to those of us who were still basking in the glory (or lack thereof rather) of F1 Career Challenge. Having grabbed a copy for myself the day I bought a PS3, I consider myself a member of that whole "savior" business. This game certainly offers a lot, but it makes up for it with some exceptionally bad downfalls.

Gameplay:

As hopefully one would understand before buying this game, F1CE is a Formula 1 racing simulator. The menu is rather intuitive; you have options, you have extras (various goodies you collect from your achievements in the game), then there's multiplayer and single player. Multiplayer, oddly enough, is only available online; you can't play with your buddy on the same screen. However, the online mode should be sufficient enough given the presence of wireless internet and so forth. Single player has various modes in and of itself including quick race, wherein you choose a driver, course, a few settings and are placed right on the grid for the beginning of a race; world championship, which is simply a season of Formula 1; grand prix weekend, which is a single race but goes through all the motions before the race as well; and career where you start as a lowly test driver and build yourself up throughout multiple seasons.

Career is executed pretty well. You have to go to tests semi frequently, completing certain objectives in a rather stupid and unrealistic fashion (more about that later), and you can apply for other test/race seats depending on your previous success. There are news stories, plus the championship still goes on, so you get to view the results from each race whether you're in it or not. It's pretty fun, but some issues prevent you from extracting all the fun you could out of it.

The other thing to note of importance is the addition of some historical F1 cars, which unfortunately are only usable in time trial mode. Regardless, it's a nice touch to the game and gives you a rare opportunity not yet seen in an F1 game! Cherish.

Score: 8/10

Audio:

You're treated to music throughout each menu, but not during a race understandably. I only say understandably because instead you get the harmonic bliss of twenty two Formula 1 grade V8 engines. Unlike many of F1CE's predecessors, the engines sound ... real. I can honestly say after having watched many actual F1 races that the engines in the game sound beautiful. A nice addition to the general beauty is the fact that each engine has a slightly different quality about it. It adds some variety, anyway.

Score: 9/10

Graphics:

The cars look great, the humans look terrible (but you only see them during the podium ceremony and those are far and in between), but overall the graphics are simply beautiful. When you're going full speed down a straight, it really does look like you're watching a race live. The trees and such are a tad below realistic (they still look good, however) if you stare directly at them, but they're designed wonderfully in that they look real beyond belief if you're just paying attention to the road (as damn well you should be!)

Score: 10/10

Controls:

There isn't much to say about the controls. They're very intuitive and always adjustable, so there's not much to complain about either. The controls have nice touch, so you don't have to worry about suddenly veering one direction or another by tapping the analog stick. The only complaint is that it really takes all your thumb's effort to keep the accelerator held down, which can take its toll on your joint ;_;

Score: 9/10

Realism/AI:

This is where, despite having pretty graphics, F1CE takes a hit. First off, I mentioned earlier that in career mode you have to do tests initially because you are, in fact, a test driver. Well the team requires during these tests that you get three laps in a row within the target time. Seems reasonable enough, but that's just not how it works. I've never understood why if you got two right, messed up on the third lap, then got the fourth, how that isn't just as efficient. Fact is that in the real world, that would be perfectly acceptable. Second, while driving on the grass should be discouraged, it should be noted that a wheel going a centimeter off of the track will result in you spinning out. That's complete asinine, and I know that for a fact because, as I also mentioned, I've watched many races in my life. And third, this is something that just blew my mind ... I had a test at Shanghai International Circuit, a wet weather test, so my car was automatically fitted with wet weather tires. But one small detail ... it was sunny. Yet I was still expected to complete the laps within the time limit. Needless to say, I skipped that trash. Huge screwup by Sony.

But perhaps the best part about this game is the AI. And of course by best I mean absolutely most infuriating. The AI has no concept of its surroundings. You could be overtaking a car and it will swoop right into you. I've had this happen on multiple times, and each time it pisses me off more. Expect to have to attempt a given race three or four times because the AI continually ignores the fact that you're to its right. On a similar note, this game has some sort of horrible tendency where the front wheel of one car will get lodged between the front wheel and the radiator of another. This is possible, sure, but maybe once per F1 season. It happens pretty regularly. I think I've yet to be in a race where the AI didn't eventually cause something like that to happen. Inevitably the AI car is more powerful than you or something and you spin out, losing a wheel, while they carry on.

Damage is the final thing I'll mention here. Now according to my calculations, I would exert about 800 newtons of force on the ground based on my mass. I promise this is relevant. Now in F1CE, they really amp up the realism by making about 10 newtons the critical point at which a tire breaks off of your car. Sometimes you graze the wall and lose a wheel. It's almost completely random. It's almost completely unbelievable. But it definitely is complete garbage. Although it's possible to simply damage your wheel, odds are 99.9% that you'll shatter your suspension instead of just damaging it. Realism? Not found here.

Oh, and I should finish by saying that any positive qualities in the realism category are easily counterbalanced by any one of these points.

Score: -1/10

Overall:

Overall F1CE offers a fresh experience for those of us who have spent many a year longing for another F1 game. However, it ruins any chance of becoming great by throwing away the very laws and principles that have upheld the universe and all existence for billions of years. I would suggest renting it, and if you can get over the garbage you're constantly subjected to (note: unlikely), maybe purchasing it used. Otherwise, stay away.

Score: 7/10

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 01/01/08

Game Release: Formula One Championship Edition (US, 02/27/07)