Formula One 2003

Review - Slicker than Michael Schumacher's slipstream? Chris finds out...

With the signing of a new licensing deal between Sony and the FIA, Formula One 2003 is the first in a four year contract to be released exclusively on the PSX and PS2. This is coupled with the sport's significant changes in the rules and regulations. Indeed, this should lead us to toward a wildly new and exciting game, but does it?

The new game has encapsulated all the major new rules and regulations in the sport and at times it is a truly superb game. At others, unfortunately, it is distinctly lacking.

The modes from which you can choose from are varied but largely unsurprising. There is arcade race, arcade season, custom race, race weekend, world championship and time attack. These are fairly bog standard on most racing games but it is good to see no glaring omissions. The arcade mode allows you to jump into any race event with any team and any driver. The aim is to gain points to attempt to secure a place in the top eight and, in arcade season, continue to the next event. The heart of the game lies in the World Championship mode where you fight it out on all the circuits with the ultimate aim of becoming the best in the world.

In multiplayer mode, you have a similar set of options, including Custom Race, Arcade Race, Hotseat and Time Attack modes. The most interesting of which is the Hotseat mode, where up to four players take turns to control the same driver and car. Each player is given a set amount of time to prove their driving skills and after that the computer calls the next player to the driving seat.

It is a real shame, therefore, that it is not more visually appealing to navigate through this plethora of options. To start an arcade race, for example, you have to wind through five menu screens. This isn't necessarily a great problem but the game certainly lacks a bit of show.

Away from the menu structure the build up to the races, in all modes, is non-existent. There is no break down of the events of the race weekend, no overview of the track, summary of the weather, you are just thrown straight into your race seat to begin the race. This, needless to say, adds nothing to the race atmosphere.

This game is definitely for the dedicated Formula One enthusiast. There is very little flab in the way of eye candy and the focus seems to be on the race itself. In this respect the game performs admirably, with a wide selection of racing variables, it can be an incredibly accurate racing simulation, or just an easy to pick up arcade-style jaunt.

Within its precision simulation role, we see the games true potential. There is a steep learning curve but with extended time behind the wheel you'll reap the benefits of performing great passing manoeuvres, and pole positions. The cars and drivers actually make an impact too, allowing the real dedicated fans to race as the lesser known teams and see if they can fare any better. The tuning options aid this and are a set of surprisingly straightforward sliders and checkboxes.

The ever present problem with Formula One titles unfortunately rears its ugly head with avengance in this title, that of poor AI. The other racers will do anything to stay on the raceline, will take any small hint of a gap as an attempt to dive past and they never back off when a player has the advantage.

The crashes are also a little bit of a let down. When the vehicles hit the wall large chunks of the car fall off in the most contrived manner. There is little debris caused by 100mph shunts, which in real life would send cars flying through the air. Realistic damage modelling isn't the easiest thing in the world to create but in order to make this a real contender Sony are going have to pull their finger out of their ear and make some changes.

The in race visuals keep in tune with the rest of the title. They are not the most stunning ever seen but they accurately and intricately recreate all the tracks on the current world championship circuit. The small details in the title have a profound effect - with functional steering wheel speedometers, and the jolted movements of the driver's head in the cockpit all adding to the reality. The spectators are somewhat less desirable along with the practically awful gravel trap effects. It is odd too that there is commentary, which can only be listened to in spectator mode! Whilst in the race all you are informed of is your current race status and the continuing whine and grumble of the wear and tear on the engine.

Although this game appears to have many faults it is on the whole a very enjoyable racer. Some of the problem areas could be ironed out for Sony's next attempt to make this a real title contender.

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