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Platform Filters:   All Platforms  Xbox   GameCube   PlayStation 2   PC   Game Boy Advance   Site Sections:   Updates  News   Games   Publishers   Developers   Reviews   Previews   Release Dates   Editorials   Glossary   Contact Us		Review:       29th May 2001: Formula One 2001  The most comprehensive Formula One racing simulation ever, but is it fun to play? Posted by John Grothier - PlayStation 2 - UK and Europe F1 2001 is a true Formula One racing simulation. So it depends on how you like your racers. Do you like to adjust under the bonnet, change tyres and spark plugs? Or do you like to just put your foot down and drive? If you are more of a fan of the latter you might find F1 2001 a bit too challenging. Developed by Sony’s Studio Liverpool, F1 2001 has to be the most comprehensive Formula One game to date. The game features all drivers, teams and circuits from the F1 2001 season. The tracks and drivers are all faithfully reproduced and driver AI has been implemented which introduces rivalry, aggression, experience and determination. Weather also plays an important part – watching the weather forecast before the race may help you to plan your race strategy. Full or partial pit crew, depending upon your pit stop needs. Even Murray Walker and Martin Brundle provide the commentary. So all this realism – but is it fun to play? Well that depends on how much of your time you are willing to spend learning how to drive a Formula One car. Of all the racing games I have played over the years, F1 2001 has to be one of the most challenging. The first time you play F1 2001 you will probably fly off the track and find yourself careering across the grass franticly trying to reach the track, and watching helplessly as twenty-one racers go by in the distance. F1 2001 is not one of those racers’s where just holding down the accelerator button and steering is good enough. The right amount of speed and braking are very important. If you hurtle off the track you will be able to trace the accident back to you driving over the limit. There are quite a few modes of play including a ‘Quick race’ option for one or two players. Time attack, test drive and of course the F1 2001 championship. You can even watch a race in real-time in spectator mode and control the camera angles as the director. Once you have mastered the controls you will find the Championship mode is the strongest part of the game. The presentation is excellent. Every conceivable option is here. One of the most useful inclusions is the ability to save your progress at any time – you have nine more laps to go and your tea’s ready, no worries just save and you can pick up exactly where you left off. This makes F1 2001a much more playable experience, as with the real thing there are lots of laps to complete. There is also an International competition for fastest lap times. Once you have completed your lap in ‘Time Attack’ mode you will be given a code – enter this on the F1 web site and you could be going to Indianapolis, USA, plus a VIP trip to the American Grand Prix! The graphics in F1 2001 look good and are importantly fast. It looks like some sacrifices have been made for speed. You may notice a few ‘jaggies’ as you race around at 60fps, and the replays don’t have quite the same polish as Moto GP or the tantalizingly close GT3 A Spec. Definitely above average though. The Sound is also nearly perfect. Murray Walker & Martin Brundle provide the commentary which works well most of the time, but there are a few times where the tone and level of their voices change in mid-sentence, which can sound a little odd. Murray also seems to be obsessed with the weather – ‘…and the sun is shining all round the track…’ is a phrase you will hear too many time I promise you. Sound effects are clear, and there are individual engine sounds for each team. The PAL conversion of F1 2001 has unfortunately no 60htz mode, which is a shame as the game would have looked a great deal better if it filled out the screen. There is, however, a welcome screen adjust option in case the picture bleeds off your widescreen TV. All in all, F1 2001 is a true Formula One racing simulation, so if you are a fan of the sport and importantly have some time to learn how to drive a Formula One car, this is for you. John Grothier             Latest Images:		Review Scores:    Graphics:   Sound:   Gameplay:   Length:   Overall: Click here for our Review Score Guidelines.  Review Summary:  The most comprehensive F1 racing simulation ever. Fully licensed with all the driver and tracks realistically reproduced. 60fps racing action for up to 2 players. Car damage and dynamic weather effects. Expert commentary from Murray himself! Comes with a DVD of the F1 2000 season!  Related Games:  Formula One 2001 for PlayStation 2  10  Screenshots  1  Review Click here for All Game Information.
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