Lookin' hot feeling fine (F1 2001 (PS))

Member Name: spadger

Product:	F1 2001 (PS)
Date:	10/02/02 (74 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: great graphics , everyone can play, tweakability

Disadvantages: best on quick computer

Another year and another F1 racing game from EA Sports, but if F1 2000 was a failure (and it certainly was) then F1 2001 is a sure fire winner

F1 2000 had good graphics, F1 2001 has great graphics and more importantly a great game engine to get the graphics moving around the screen at a good rate of knots. The graphics are outstanding the best l have seen on any formula one racing game, you will still need a fast well equipped computer to get the best from the game but by use of the extensive display options a good looking and more importantly fast moving game can be had by all.

The biggest test for any formula 1 game is a realistic interpretation of Monaco, if Monaco looks good and plays well you can be guaranteed that all the other tracks will play well. Most games have difficulty with Monaco on two counts, firstly the graphics need to be spot on, everybody knows the Monaco track, the tunnel, the swimming, the casino etc and it also has to be the most detailed track by far. Secondly Monaco with all its barriers leave little room for error and so the game needs to be realistically playable with the car staying close to the racing line or at least on the track all the time, unlike some games where you can get away with spending half the lap on the grass. F1 passes both of these tests with flying colours, if you play the game with a steering wheel (and you definitely should) you can tweak the handling and sensitivity easily and when you have these set-up how you like them the game will feel just how you think a formula one car should.

Another part of the game that needs to be tweaked to your needs is the driving aids. With all the driving aids set to max the car feels like it is driving itself, l suppose the game has to be geared so that the younger or less adept players can still get the enjoyment of tearing around the tracks in a realistically controlled way, but real satisfaction comes when you start switching the aids off and yo
ur driving input feels much more immediate.

F1 has as you would expect from an EA Sports game all the very latest teams and drivers and even has Jim Rosenthal doing the above average commentary and introductions, infact the sound is far superior to most other F1 games throughout the game.

F1 has all the expected game types, Quick Race, Grand Prix, Season as well as a multiplayer mode and also a driving school. The driving school is quite good as you get the option to tour round the track in a Arrows two seater at racing speed before you have to try and follow the racing line and match the braking points and complete a section or a whole lap under a designated time limit, if you complete the task you are awarded a medal and can move on to the next section. Although the driving school is interesting l found it to be little more than a diversion and if you want to improve and check your rate of improvement a full season would be my preference.

Another point worth mentioning is the game viewpoints, they are the standard fare, behind the car (wingman), nose cone, cockpit and raised cockpit, which is the one that works better than any other racing game view, it is viewed from about a foot above and behind the players head giving a good compromise of giving a more realistic view than the wingman view and yet still giving you a greater sense of when the corners are approaching, the best in car view by far.

F1 2001 is in my opinion the best formula one game currently available. With all the options available it can be enjoyed by everyone from the total novice to the expert and
also from the casual player who wants a quick blast to the enthusiast who wishes to tweak his dampers.Superb

Summary: