EA Sports: F1 2001 (PS2)

So I was really looking forward to this game and was expecting a lot. I was hoping to rent it first to make sure I didn't waste my money. Unfortunately, my local game store didn't have it. I then looked at the amazon reviews and the first one said it was very, very disappointing which put me off. Then the second review said it was the exact opposite so I decided to buy the game, as I was desperate for an F1 PS2 game.

I will now try to break the game down into good and bad points: -

Good Points

1) Challenge mode - These are like a breath of fresh air. Challenges include driving around each circuit in the fastest time without leaving the track, pit stops, braking, weather changes, etc.
2) Appearance - All the tracks and cars look great and realistic
3) Replays - You can speed up and rewind/forward replays
4) The intermediate split times are the same as the computer cars. People who have bought games like F1 championship season 2000 (PS1 EA Sports) will know that at one intermediate you could be 5 seconds down on the computer cars and at the next intermediate you could have the same time as the computer cars. This really helps to see how you're really doing on a flying lap.
5) Weather changes
6) On board cockpit view - This is just unbelievable!. The attention to detail is amazing from the helmet design, car manufactures logo on the steering wheel to the driver peeling off a tear-off. It feels just like one of ITV's on board shots and all you miss is Martin Brundle's commentary....
7) Damage - This is very realistic with tyres, wings, etc falling off

Bad Points

1) Simulation Mode - This seems very hard and it's best to use the normal mode.
2) Apart from the on board camera, the other views aren't very good and sometimes spoil the game
3) In the race, the computer cars seem to to drive offline a lot which is sometimes annoying
4) If you want to race with all the settings such as rain & pit stops, you have to pass all the challenge modes. These challenges are good but there are a lot of them so you will need a memory card. Keeping the car on track is quite tricky so the challenges can sometimes be frustrating.

As a conclusion, I'd recommend buying this game just for the on board camera view. The racing is not as good as F1 championship season 2000 (PS1 EA Sports) which was great, and there is no safety car which every F1 game should have. Apart from these things I'd have to say this is the best F1 PS2 game so far by a long way. There are many ways to make things more realistic, and I think in a couple of year's F1 PS2 games will be even better, but this will certainly do for now.

I hope this review helps potential purchasers of the game. Read more ›

The game however is let down by numerous gameplay deficiencies. It's too much of an arcade game - real F1 fans won't get a lot of enjoyment because the racing is unrealistic. It will only hold your attention for short periods. Those who want to feel the excitment of a real F1 race will be soundly disappointed. You won't find yourself in a situation whereby you are inching up on your opponent taking tenths of a second out per lap, or become involved in a hard-fought battle for position. It's all quickfire overtaking or losing position.

Another thing I don't understand is why hitting the wall doesn't hinder your progress. At Monaco you will get your fastest time by crashing your way through the streets of Monte Carlo rather than carefully navigating on the track.

I hate the replays. It appears as if the cars don't actually slow down at all for corners. The views are inadequate - I'd like to view the cars from television camera angles.

Collisions are also unrealistic - possibly one of the worst aspects of the game. Even with damage turned on they do not portray a real life F1 collision. Whether you ram a car or they ram you, you are instantly able to continue. You might push someone off the circuit at high speed - they'll be back within a few seconds. Impacts are soft, AI cars don't ever really spin out of control and it is impossible to get a chain collision.

Multiplayer modes are no good either - when playing two player, you can't view your car from the normal on car television camera - completely anyway. The head is chopped out of view!...

Unlocking modes are no fun either - especially if you don't immediately have a memory pack!

Finally, there is no Murray Walker/ Martin Brundle commentary, Each car's engine sounds the same, framerate is average to slow for PS2 standard, simulation mode is IMPOSSIBLE and probably requires a steering wheel, the opposition spread is NOT in accordance with 2001 events (i.e. Jordans often outquailfy Ferraris) and despite my pit radio man telling me I have a mechanical failure I am always still able to continue - I have NEVER had a car failure.

In summary, visually impressive but in reality lacks gameplay. Read more ›