FORMULA ONE CHAMPIONSHIP EDITION
Developed by: Psygnosis
(1998)
Genre: Formula One
racing sim
System Requirements: Win95/98,
P100 or greater, 16 MB RAM, CD ROM, 3D accelerator card, game controller (joystick or
wheel).
OVERVIEW:
Psygnosis' Formula One Championship
Editions allows gamers to jump into the cockpit of a F1 car and zoom around all 18
circuits in stunning 3D graphics. It's all here: all of the teams, drivers (except Jacques
Villenauve, who is referred to as Racer X), cars, tracks along with race commentary by F1
veteran announcer Murray Walker and former driver Martin Brundle. Psygnosis is know for
producing awesome Playstation/N64 arcade style racing sims and allot of what you'd see in
the console version can be found in this PC version.
The game offers both simulation and
arcade modes along with the traditional season mode (allowing players to race an entire F1
season). The arcade mode looks, feels and plays like something you'd find in an arcade:
easy driving combined with high speed and allot of wheel banging action (al la Test Drive
or Need for Speed). The simulation and season modes are much more realistic and
challenging- more along the lines of a traditional PC racing sim. Difficulty settings are
available for all modes and can easily be modified to fit a player's individual skill
level.
Formula One gets high marks on
graphical realism- but just below top F1 sim F1 Racing Simulation by UbiSoft. All of the
proper graphics are here from the 1997 season combined with excellent weather effects and
sound. The color commentary by Walker and Brundle is excellent, although it gets
repetitive pretty fast due to limited dialogue. There is also a wide selection of racing
views/cameras which can easily be toggled through via the keyboard.
Most of the effects are pretty cool as
well- especially the ability to use tear away visors (which, when activated in Race
Options, gets gunked up as the race progresses- by punching a hot key, the driver will
wisk the tear away off). The crashes look decent but unspectacular but you will find the
glare and reflection effects excellent. The pitstop graphics are dull, except for the
excellent touch of putting the new tire stickers on the tires (these wear off quickly once
the car gets onto the track)- new tires look "new" while worn tires look
"old and worn". Very nice touch. The one negative I found with the game is the
trackside texturing. The grassy areas, sand traps and crowds look rather bland and
pixilated.
Overall I enjoyed this Psygnosis F1 offering. While not
overly stunning, it's a great game that any racing sim fan should look at. I'd put it just
below UbiSoft's F1 Racing and just above Intense Games' Johnny Herbert. Above average all
the way around.
THE SCOUTING REPORT:
THE PROS:
- Great graphics overall.
Weather effects.
Uses real F1 drivers, teams, tracks and graphics.
Commentary by Murray and Martin a great touch.
Arcade play is a blast!
THE CONS:
- Grass, gravel trap and crowd textures bland and
pixilated.
Commentary dialogue limited- gets repetitive quick.
Review by
