F1 Championship Season 2000

• Platform:    PlayStation2, No Operating System
• BBFC Rating:
• Media: Video Game

For statistical die-hards the game is up to date until Spring 2001, which some may perceive as an advantage over Formula One Grand Prix 3. If your machine is powerful enough, all the visual trimmings to make the race the way it's watched at home can be re-enabled.

The radio link purports to be the same as heard by real-life drivers. In real life it's doubtful that common sense is spelled out to the driver like, for example, the necessity of staying on the track. It's another feature that would be tried and forgotten other than for the lap time updates--if you don't have the seconds necessary to read the onscreen displays.

Then there is the pace lap, EA's homage to televised Formula One racing coverage. Sadly it's a waste of time when you want to get your hands dirty competing. It's not all bad, however, and the best new feature is the driving school where your general skills are tested, including achieving a certain manoeuvre or distance in a given number of seconds, and graded by shades of medal. As a training mode it's quite effective.

That training is affected when set to ultra-realistic and the cars slide across the track as if still in arcade mode. The physics have improved, but in the benchmark GP3 the car's visual reaction fits the handling. If you have the original EA F1 2000, it's best waiting for the inevitable 2001 edition for this problem to be addressed rather than settling for this interim update. --Kenneth Henry

Product Description
Re-live the gladiatorial battles between Michael Schumacher and David Coulthard, or tear up the record books and take an outsider to World Championship glory. With in-depth, behind-the-scenes technical support from the Orange Arrows and Benetton Formula One teams, the player enters the world of Formula One racing in great detail.

Formula One Driving School. Train to become one of the Formula One superstars with the all-new Formula One Driver Career School.

Full wet weather racing and advanced environmental effects, with implications for race strategies and driving styles.

Use of the renowned two-seater Formula One race cars.

Unprecedented realism with updated car models, dynamic texture shading, multiple rear wings, and improved force feedback.

Graphical effects featuring a dynamic racing line driver assist, realistic tyre smoke, and particle effects.

Race Responsive Pit Crew. Constant radio feedback on race situation from the team pit crew.

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• PC & Video Games > Games > Racing