![]() |
Playstation > Whats New > PlayStation Reviews > Staff Review | |
![]() |
A.P.I Review: | FORMULA 1 '98 | ||
---|---|---|---|
Developer: | Visual Sciences | OPTIONS: | ![]() SCREENSHOTS: No.1 No.2 No.3 |
Distributor: | Psygnosis | 1-4 Player Split & Link Up | |
Game Type: | Racing | Memory Card | |
Review Date: | November 1998 | Dual Shock/Analog Compatible |
Setting the Scene
After much hype and so many delays I can still remember counting
down the days right up until to the arrival of the original Formula 1
racing game on Playstation. Bizarre Creations had developed a fine
simulation of the official Grand Prix racing season. Okay, so most of the
competitors started taking pit stops when the race was only half
completed, making it easy to overtake and finish in the top six. But I'll
settle for a half-baked F1 session in link-up mode rather than a few
rounds with any of those other crap split-screen arcade racers. It was not
without bugs, but then try to name a game that is.
Twelve months on, as another thrilling GP season was about to reach it's
climax, Bizarre Creations unveiled their 1997 version of Formula 1. The
bugs were gone, the graphics were a higher resolution, rich colors, smooth
textures and an almost cartoony appearance gave the power-sliding Arcade
mode a unique guise. This mode could never be accused of being a
simulation, more a out and out, tear-arse, cut-corner,
smash-your-opponent-to-oblivion racing thrash and the appearance suited
the purpose. My one disappointment was that split-screen had replaced
link-up mode, but then I still owned the original game.
Earlier this year we heard that a new Formula 1 game was being produced
for 1998. Our initial thoughts were of amazement that Psygnosis could
improve on their first two games. It was obvious that there could be no
new tracks because this was afterall an official Grand Prix racing title.
There were also very few changes in driver personnel. Hmm, what were they
up to?
It was then revealed that the producers of the original two games,
Bizarre Creations had been replaced by a new team of developers. Visual
Sciences proceeded to rewrite the game from scratch. Perhaps we were in
for a brand new Formula 1 game? You bet!
Genre
Formula 1 is a racing title that takes place on circuits from the 1998 Grand Prix racing season using real name drivers and constructors teams. The game includes both an Arcade and a Grand Prix mode.
Graphics
Oh dear, where do I start? Perhaps I had better remark on the
changes for the better. This shouldn't take long.
Once again all of the circuits that make up the 1998 Formula 1 racing
season are remarkably realistic, featuring every straight, corner and bump
of the real tracks. Err, what else is there.... grandstands, advertising
hoarding, even cities on the horizon over lush green fields have been
carefully recreated. Err.... oh yes, you can now actually loose a front
wheel should you take too much damage.
Let's cut the crap, Formula 1 '98 is shocking! Let's start with the
vehicles. Where are those stunning racing cars from the two previous
efforts? I've made more realistic cars from a lego set! At the beginning
of a race looking down the grid is astonishing. Some cars are bland
colored smudges with a couple of black marks for wheels. When turning the
first corner all of the other cars suddenly became solid blocks of red, or
yellow, or blue... no detail at all. Others are actually invisible... you
can see straight through the body work. Remember the cheats for a
shrinking car in the original title? You got it now whether you like it or
not. I even parked by the side of the track and watched a rival drive into
the pits, slow down and then completely disappear. Formula Twilight Zone
'98.
Vehicles are not the only thing that mysteriously disappear. Looking
further down the track you see those carefully recreated building over the
horizon that I mentioned earlier... then you don't... then you do... then
you don't. Packed grandstands have huge chunks of blue sky carved into the
middle of them. Trees flicker along the track... one minute they are
there... the next they are gone... there... gone. This is nothing compared
to the distraction of suddenly having a corner thrust in your face at the
last possible moment. Horrendous!
Then there's the pit crew. Drive into the pit lane and six hooded figures
await your arrival. They bend over your vehicle and wiggle around a
little. When given the order to move off your car jumps slightly left and
then drives straight through the bodies of the ghostly apparitions.
Worst of all are the messy weather effects. Once of the best effects in
Bizarre Creations F1 '97 was when the clouds gradually darkened and a few
spots of rain grew into a frightening storm. Thunder clashed and
lightening flashed across the track before the skies would slowly brighten
and the track surface would gradually dry out. You had to carefully judge
whether to visit the pits to change your tyres or chance one more lap in
tricky conditions. Visual Sciences prefer to have the rain hammering down
one second and then move a dividing line of fine weather slowly up the
screen. At one point the top half of the screen is dark and rainy while
the bottom half is bright and sunny. Enough!
Sounds and Effects
Once again Martin Brundle joins the commentary team to link up with
the excellent Murray 'Oh, Oh, Oh, he must have hit the barriers' Walker
for a duel opinion of the racing action, so expect a few disputes and
gaffs in there.
Throughout the entire race a realistic engine sound cuts through the
cheering din of the crowd which grows in volume as you near the
start/finish line. Overall the sound effects are very good and up to the
standard of past F1 titles.
Playability
API has always been very constructive with it's criticism but this
time it's going to be difficult. There are five modes of play; Arcade
Challenge, Arcade Single Race, Arcade Time Trial, Single Grand Prix Race
and Championship. Play in single player mode, two player split screen, two
player link-up and four player split screen link-up. The two player split
screen mode now includes ten cars. This would be excellent news had the
gameplay and handling not been so substandard.
In Arcade mode you are no longer restricted to driving on the track.
Slipping down a few positions? No problem, take a short-cut over the
grass. It won't slow you down, in fact you sometimes move faster. This
mode is fine for a half-hearted smash through the courses but it fails to
offer any serious challenge at all.
There are so many arcade racers already available on PSX but a F1 game
would always stand out from the crowd with it's accurate simulation mode.
Well you can forget that now! In my view Formula 1 '98 is relegated to the
ever growing pile of substandard arcade racers.
Here's how it goes. Don't waste your time setting up a full blown
championship with all the tweaks and settings switched on because you'll
never make it to the end. I foolishly decided on using Nika Hackinen with
flags, fuel, damage, tyre wear and failures all turned on.
Before each race you are allowed three practice sessions before
qualifying and boy do you need them. On my first practice lap I struggled
to keep the car on the track, even on the long straights. The physics
seemed all wrong as a slight tap in either direction swung your car almost
90°. Once I reached the first corner the car just kept on going...
straight ahead. I went into the pits at least a dozen times and tried
adjusting downforce, suspension and brakes, but to no avail.
I qualified in eighteenth position on the grid, mainly due to the fact
that I had stopped at every bend and heaved my car back on the racing
line. Revving up on the grid I prepared to fight my way through the pack
when the strangest thing happened. As soon as the light changed from red
to green all of the cars in front of mine decided to play Destruction
Derby instead of Formula 1. Cars were turning at right angles and smashing
into every opponent in range. This was crazy! I tried to move ever so
slowly through the carnage when this dark blue smudge of colored lego
started ramming into the side of my car for no apparent reason. Once the
nose and tail wing had been removed I ground to a halt and was
disqualified for dangerous driving. Me? I didn't even make it down the
opening straight.
I restarted again and the same thing happened so I dropped the difficulty
onto easy and qualified in pole position. A good start left me way out in
front. Unfortunately as soon as I tapped the brakes and began heaving my
car around the first bend each of my rivals took it in turn to leap across
the track and shunt my car into the barriers. Once again trailing the pack
I set out in chase and carefully studied the group of cars in front. I
could not believe my eyes as they flickered and jumped all over the track.
This was impossible so I packed up and did something much more
entertaining. I washed the car.
Value for Money
If you don't own a Formula 1 title then go buy the original at budget price. At least it's playable.
Opinion | ||
MARTIN | ||
GRAPHICS: | 8/20 | I
must first apologize to those readers who prefer to check out our views
before purchasing a game. Feedback has already began to arrive from
disappointed gamers and will be posted in the Letters section. Formula 1 '98 has been available for a couple of weeks now but while the previous two F1 games arrived well in advance of the release date, a press copy of F1 '98 still hasn't arrived to this day. Strange! We therefore went out and bought a copy. Now there's a first! We also like to play test racing games for a couple of weeks to make sure that we don't make rash assessments. However playing F1 98 for two weeks was more than I could stand. I had to quit playing after only a few days before all my illusions were completely shattered. I loved the first two Formula 1 games. They were a breath of fresh air and still rank up there with the best PSX racers. But this.... |
SOUND: | 9/10 | |
PLAYABILITY: | 10/50 | |
VALUE: | 9/20 | |
OVERALL | 36% |