| F-1 2002 |
| Game bits Developer: EA Sports Publisher: Size: 1 Disk # of players: 4 Released: Sept 2002 |
| EA latest Formula racing simulation is the first to feature the 2002 F-1 series for the Nintendo Gamecube including 22 licenced cars and 17 tracks. F-1 2002 pits you into the driver seat and experience all the speed and fun of Indy racing. F-1 2002 has many of the game modes you would expect such as Quick Race, Grand Prix, Challenge Mode and multi-player. In Quick Race, it basically an arcade like experience that is no simulation,but a quick and fun way to learn the basics. In Grand Prix you can enter championship races through out 22 licenced tracks against 16 other competitive racers. The Grade Prix Mode also features a number of helpful options such as difficulty level to the number of laps or even the type of weather from wet or dry. Before even thinking of setting out to burn some rubber, your required to compete in Challenge Mode where you will learn the basic driving techneques such as taking sharp turns and braking. When you complete these tasks new custome options for your Formula 1 will unlock in Grad Prix.. In Multi-player mode there can be up to 4-players. F-1 2002 is more of a simulation than a arcade experience. I found it quite challenging just getting the hang of the handling. Paying close attenion to the road timing every turn is very important or you'll find yourself tracking off the road or even losing a wheel. You can set the driving to either Normal or Simulation. If your just getting started, choosing Normal mode is the best way to go. Simulation is best after some practice for a higher level of challenge. Many of the physics in Simulation are in real time that mimic the Formula 1 experience. When talking about the graphics, I think EA did a nice job recreating the F1 atmosphere. With nice details such as the dust kicked up when heading off the track to the very well animated lighting effects on the formula 1 cars. There is also animated damage if you slam right into another F-1 from behind and notice pieces fly right off and scatter across the track.Though when an over all look at the visuals it still doesn't stack up the graphic capibilites for the Gamecube. I mean things such as some of the logos on the F1 cars are blurry. Another is the backgrounds are somewhat blocky with a lack of the visualy details you would expect for a "next generation" council. Even with these visualy faults in mind I would still consider it forgiving. To put aside graphics another important element is sound effects I think nicely done to a point but could have used some improvement. An example of just that would have to be the radio pit crew who sound bland become annoying. For an all round sum up, F-1 2002 plays how a good racing simulation should good enough for me to overlook any of it's visual or sound faults. If you are into realistic real time racing sims I would recomment F-1 2002 for you. |