F1 Championship Edition for PS3

[dyazdani]

I bought a PS3 today along with a copy of the new F1 game. Here are my first thoughts after racing only a couple of "quick races."

1. Controls: I used my Logitech Driving Force Pro exclusively, I did not try using the standard controller, nor did I check to see if it supports the Six-axis deal. The PS3 doesn't support force feedback, so that was a bit of a bummer. The wheel still did well, a little too sensitive I think overall. It would be nice to see some sensitivity and dead-zone adjustments.

2. Game Options: Nothing special here, a few levers to pull around sound volumes (music, commentary, effects, etc). Video options are mostly related to on screen widgets - mini track map, turn signals, position, etc.

3. Sim Options: The standard options exist here as for most racing sims - steering help, spin recovery, braking help, anti-lock brakes...

4. Graphics: Graphics were good, on par with the latest PC versions of F1 racing sims. Nothing spectacular, but definately adequate. I race only using the cockpit view, but the detail in "fly-by" type recaps of the race looked very nice.

5. Gameplay: The races were quite challenging, even with AI set to "easy." They started me at the back of the grid in every race, I was able to work my way into the top 10 in a 3 lap race. The easy setting may not be quite enough if starting in a better position. I have not had time to try any of the other game modes - Weekend Race and Career are the two major ones.

6. Overall: So far, I've enjoyed playing the game. There's only so much you can see in a couple of 3 lap races, but my initial impression is favorable. It's not for those who want an arcade experience although you can get close by setting all the helps to their max values and turning off damage.

I'll post some more thoughts after I have a chance to get on a team in career mode.

[Chris D]

Actually, the PS3 does support force feedback, it's the individual games that may or may not. I use my force feedback steering wheel with Need For Speed Carbon, and it works great.

[dyazdani]

Actually, the PS3 does support force feedback, it's the individual games that may or may not. I use my force feedback steering wheel with Need For Speed Carbon, and it works great.

Seems as though it does, there's just a lot of stories around about a lawsuit with Immersion over FFB. I didn't read real close - could have been before the actual release of the system.

I also have Gran Tourismo 4 (PS2), I haven't gone past the accelerate and brake license test, so I'm not sure if the FFB works in it or not...

[Lex]

thanks for the quick review Danish.

[Brandon B]

Immersion sued Sony over patent infringement, so they left FF out of the PS3 controllers while the suit was ongoing. They have since settled (read Sony paid some form of licensing).

BB

[dyazdani]

Cool! I still haven't seen it work yet. I also have GT4 with a Driving Force Pro wheel and FFB isn't working on it either. Maybe it's operator error :huh: I set up all the options, but no luck.

[Chris D]

AFAIK, Need for Speed: Carbon is the only PS3 game so far that allows use of FFB. I got it to work, but I could be wrong about the other games.

[dyazdani]

Could be - GT4 supported FFB, but being that it is a PS2 game, it may not work on the PS3. I'll have to check around on some GT4 forums and see...

[dyazdani]

Review Part 2-

1. Career Mode: Career mode is pretty neat, you basically start out as nothing and have an agent at your side. You get the choice of arranging a trial with any of 3 teams (smaller teams in F1 like Super Aguri...). The trial requires you to run 10 laps on a track (Magny Cours in my case) and beat a target time.

The target is fairly difficult, but so much so that you have to be perfect. My target on easy was 1:27 (this varies at least by team, I tried another and it was 1:25). I was able to run a lap of 1:21 and earn a seat on Super Aguri as First Driver.

It requires a lot of practice in non-career mode to pull this off. Once you find out the track used in the trial, it's best to quit Career Mode and go back to Time Trial mode. I put the racing line help on to learn the track and braking points while in practice.

I look forward to running the first race in my career (Bahrain) soon. I don't recall the track, so it will be another few days by the time I learn the track and adjust my car setup.

2. Online Play: I tried one online race last night. It was a great experience. I found a short, 3 lap race with 4 people - I got in one lap behind so I only had 2 laps to catch up. I got right behind another player as we finished the race and set the lap record for that particular game (it wasn't all that special).

The whole thing took maybe 5-6 minutes so not a lot of exposure. The play is smooth though, there wasn't any lag or anything that I could tell. I'll give it another shot tonight.