|
|
|
|
|
|
Previous Page
Best viewed in 800x600 with Internet Explorer 4.x or 5.x
|
Official Formula 1 Racing
Page 2
Start your Engines
The game features the 11 teams with their 22 drivers and the 16 offical tracks of the 1998 season.
In the arcade mode you can learn the design of the tracks and the control of your car, without being punished severe when making a fault. Real formula one freaks will have no problem to recognize the tracks. The circuits are exactly like the real ones, with great attention to detail. Every bend, every tunnel, every publicity board is placed where it has to be put. Before starting a race, you're giving the opportunity, to explore the course with a helicopter!
With spoken commentary you'll learn the most important passage ways on the track, while having a great view on how the circuit is builded. You'll feel like a real VIP from within that helicopter!
Thereafter the normal things like practice, qualifiying, warming up, everything following the rules. One thing to mention, if you start your qualifying session, you're automatically placed before the start line, so you don't have to drive first a lap to begin the timing. A bit unlikely, but it saves time for those who don't like the qualifying stuff.
When you really dislike qualifying sessions you can choose to start at a random place, which places you directly into the action, and with a bit of luck on a good place to start.
  
The race itself then. You can opt for a minimal 5 laps race, or for a 25, 50 or 100% race. Difficulty settings vary from novice over standard to expert. The main difference between those categories is the random speed of the cars. In novice mode the limit of your vehicle is 240 km/h, in expert mode you can achieve the highest speeds with a limit of 330 km/h. Pit stops, penaltys, black flags, disqualifications ... every aspect of a real F1 Race is present.
Pedal to the medal (and brake!)
When you turn your ambition to become world champion at standard or expert level, you'll sure need a lot a courage, speed, circuit knowledge and the necessary aggression. If you drive like a sissie, you won't get far in this game.
The other pilots won't give you absolutely no presents. They will block your way, close the door and sometimes try to put you off the course. Lankhor has put the different individual properties of the F1 pilots like Schumacher, Hakkinen, Hill etcetera in their drive style, something that results in a real life-like game.
Schumacher drives very aggressive, while passing Alesi is risking your vehicle. You'll have to be very persistent and vigilant when you're going in the slipstream of your concurrents. They sometimes go hard in the brakes at moments you don't expect. Result when you're not alert enough: a collision with the front driver and most likely damage to your car.
A powerful 3D-engine
The license of the FIA has authorized the programmers to make a model of all the circuits and all the monoplaces of the 98 season.
Even better, every vehicle has his own little details (cockpit design, front of the car...). A McLaren differs in many matters from a Benetton for example. Every circuit is represented in its whole.
Unlike Monaco Grand Prix whereby the engine of the program builded the circuit sector after sector, Official F1 racing calculates the decor in real-time. Thanks to a powerful engine the 3d world is builded very smooth and fluid.
  
That's the reason why the game also runs on systems with lower specifications: even on a p133 without hardware acceleration the game runs fast.
Personally I met some slight difficulties in the Direct3D mode, which ran a little bit stiffier than the 3dfx mode. The potent 3d engine of the game allows a great replay mode. Many varying camera points which give you a superb view on the race!
Sound and Music
Sound effects are extremely well done. For example, when you drive into a tunnel, the sound waves will bounce to the walls and reflect in your ears. With my 4point surround speakers it was so life-like, my neighbour (a real F1 fan) came in and asked on which channel they broadcasted the race!
I had to disappoint the guy, but he couldn't resist enjoying a little longer the wonderful sounds of this game. Very nice work!
Conclusion
The real names, the real teams, the real circuits, the real deal!
Beautiful graphics, cars designed into detail, a great replay mode, wonderful sound, and the feeling of being a 'real' F1 pilot. Eidos Official F1 Racing makes me think to those times with Grand Prix 1 and 2.
Although controls are a bit cheesy for the novice player, you'll certainly will grow into the spirit of this game. Maybe the F1-freak, the one who likes to adjust his car to the limit, will be a bit disappointed, because the adjustment of the cars has not been worked out like in Monaco GPRS, but that's not a major flaw.
I would strongly recommend this Formula 1 game to everyone who's in F1 Racing. Grab a copy in your favourite computer store and I'm sure you won't regret it a bit!
-Geert
Ratings
Manual:
n/a |
Graphics:
89% |
Music & Sfx:
88% |
GamePlay:
84% |
|
This game scores
on our 5-point Rating System
Up
Previous Page
If you want to review your favorite game, or if you work with a computer game company and want your products reviewing, mail info@playdevil.com.
All contributions are welcome.
Any problems and/or suggestions are always appreciated on
webmaster@playdevil.com
Nothing of this entire Site, animation & logo's included, may be reproduced, stored, saved, transmitted, in any form or means, electronic, written or otherwise without the prior permission of PlayDevil.
Other Logos & Names are Copyrighted Material of its respectful owners.
All Rights Reserved. PlayDevil Productions © 199/8-199/9
"rip your own stuff"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
