Formula One 2001 (PS2) > Reviews (10)

Even though I don't follow this motorsport anymore, there are times when I like to immerse myself in a Formula One game. I've played a number of F1 games over the years but yet to find a title which offers both a solid racing experience and a real challenge. Formula One 2001 saw a simultaneous release for both the PS and PS2 platforms on May the 25th, months earlier than the usual Autumn dates for previous titles in this series. I imagine that this was part of Sony's strategy, to lead F1 racing into the next generation of gaming, as well as keeping EA Sports, who had entered the F1 gaming circus, in their mirrors.

However, as this date of release is only 2 months into the F1 calender, factors such as the strength of the drivers and their teams over the course of the season, along with key personnel change will not be reflected here. Now I should point out that this review does not relate to the PlayStation version. That was a real backwards step from 2000, I even thought that, as a late PlayStation release, it was one of those efforts abandoned in favour of the PS2 version. Different developers were assigned to handle the two different games.

Now my copy of the game states that this is the 'Limited Edition Pack'. From all my years of browsing game shops I've yet to come across a case which isn't so. Perhaps another tactic of Sony to get the game flying off the shelves. Anyway, this includes a free movie DVD, 'The official review of the 2000 FIA Formula 1 World Championship'. It's nothing to get too excited about, especially if you're familiar with ITV coverage of this motorsport.

Turning over to the back of the case, there are some outrageous claims as well as some dodgy pics. No, I'm not talking about the mugshots of Murray Walker and Martin Brundle, who are here to provide the commentary, but the screenshot beside depicting 2-player split-screen action. It shows the game camera views such that they are positioned behind the nose, but such a view is not available. There are only 3 views in this game, and sadly, the cockpit view is nowhere to be seen. Also suggested in this picture is that 2 can race in a full field of 22, but this figure should really be 8. That's enough indication that a 2-player World Championship is out of the window then.

One of said claims is that the game boasts enhanced car damage by means of realistic collisions. Sorry but this simply is not true. Whether the FIA have a say in wanting to see the cars mangled up or not, accidents happen, but pile-ups do not occur here. Contact with barriers at speed is more likely to result in damage than contact with other cars, but you'll be surprised by what you can get away with. Messing about in a race kamikaze-style left me disappointed at the lack of supposed realism on offer here, and went on to highlight some dodgy animation where cars jerked between positions.

The other fake claim regards the instant replay. Sure it allows you to switch between all the cars and a number of views, but the rewind and slow-motion functions are not even here.

Speaking of watching replays, the game has a Spectator Mode where, upon arranging the grid as you wish, you then watch the computer put on a race. However, this only serves to highlight the game's failure to cough up true variety. Commentators are somehow absent for this mode.

Of course, the reason why I play these games is to get stuck right into the full GP World Championship season. There are options to reduce the racing sessions so that they last a fraction of the full thing. Unfortunately, this does not adjust the way a race pans out, so unless you are going to cover enough distance, pit-stops do not come into play. Add to this is that the already low incident rate is further limited.

A genuine blunder I feel regards the practice and qualifying sessions. Here, when it is time -up, instead of allowing the driver to finish their current lap as it should be, the session stops abruptly. What is most ridiculous is that for the shorter race lengths, as the CPU opponents go about their qualifying in a somewhat orderly fashion, it means that most will not have gone out to post a time! Shame they didn't include the 107% rule huh?

At the time of writing I had yet to learn to drive, never mind race an F1 car, so I don't know entirely what to expect. As I feel it should be though, you'll be braking in straight lines and counter-steering to correct yourself through corners. Patience on that accelerator is required, otherwise you'll only exit the corner and spin out of control. Driving needn't be so disciplined though, for you can turn on the traction control, which was introduced that year in F1, amongst other driving assists which I never ever use.

While I do spend hours gearing myself up for the individual races, I feel that Formula One 2001 has enough of a genuine challenge to keep me going on until I can reach the highest level. However, the computer A.I. leaves a lot to be desired. Whilst the racing amongst themselves throws up a mix of spacing between those ahead of the field, overtaking attempts and the odd mistake, overall it seems too methodical. This holds because, when you are up against them, they seem unaware of the space they should yield to you in corners and end up colliding with you. Their shortcomings are obvious as they intend to carry on racing and not have to stray far off from the racing line.

Before any session begins you can make adjustments to your car. It's been a number of games since I have dealt with another game which allows precision setup by percentages, as opposed to discrete values. It'd be better if there were recommended setups to work around with though. I am thrown into doubt as to whether some settings have any effect. You'll find that, through the Options you can turn on/off car failures which appears to not do anything.

Graphically this game is alright if on the bland side. During the replays in particular you'll notice texture warping concerning car body paint which appears as if it switches between coats. There seems to be no lack of effort to ensure the cars are different down to how they appear and the sound of the engine though.

The commentary is limited and the obvious change in tones is laughable as ever, but for too long they are missing in action.

In passing by there is still no gravel trap which does it's true job, flags not implemented properly and the driver for some reason annoys me when he moves his head as he turns the wheel which is there to observe on the starting grid. One noteworthy mode, the Quick Race offers something for those perhaps not wanting to engage in the simulation side of things, which offers more forgiving handling but there are no rewards to keep you at grip. It is here where there is the chance for 2 players to race in a field of 8, which is decent and probably salvages a late point.

Now I bought this game for 99p pre-owned when it was the GAME deal of the week. They seem to have garages full of this title in their stores. Luckily I hadn't paid so much more for what has been a disappointing experience. Even if it is an early F1 title for the PS2 there's nothing to suggest that this is how the next level of gaming should be, apart from the obvious upgrade in graphics. Not forgetting the falsities published on the case, the game has a number of elements which are missing or ineffective, even getting a few basics wrong. Formula One 2001 is too much of a sitting duck, waiting to be overtaken, and it should well and truly have been, for this game is heading back to the garage.