Formula One Championship Edition Review

By Dave McCarthy Published 24 March, 2007

Gruelling.

Version tested: PlayStation 3

Once upon a time, Sony's Phil Harrison demonstrated that games offer better value for money than movies by dividing the length it took to play various games by the amount of money it cost to buy them. So he must be hugely pleased with Formula One Championship Edition because the latest title from the Sony Liverpool production line of officially licensed F1 games goes on forever. Fire up the game's career mode and it'll likely be a good half hour of practising, warming up and setting up the car before you get to the starting grid of your first Grand Prix.

Playing through an entire season of races will probably take a minimum of about nine or ten hours and completing the five-year career mode will therefore take about 45 to 50 hours. And that's just taking part in the bare minimum qualifying laps and races. For players who want to enter into the spirit of the thing and really get involved in the arcane intricacies of the car setup system, they could easily double that amount of time. That's a lot of value for money, and it is, of course, a testament to the rigour and authenticity with which Studio Liverpool has recreated the whole Formula One thing (which is, of course, to be expected from any self-respecting Formula One game these days).

'Formula One Championship Edition' Screenshot 1

At the risk of spoiling the game's loading screens, some of the fascinating snippets of trivia they reveal include...

Here's what happens during every race weekend. First there's the Race Car Evolution, which is a series of optional test laps used as the basis for your car's race day setup. The system allows you to configure six different areas of your car and then test them on the track. If you find the idea of racing round an empty track about ten times a bit boring, or if you find it impossible to tell what difference any of the settings make, you can safely skip this section and head straight to the practice laps. If you find the idea of racing round an empty track several times a bit boring, you can also skip that bit. Then it's the qualifying sessions. If you find the idea of racing round an empty track for up to fifteen minutes three times boring, then tough, because that's what you have to do in order to get a good position on the starting grid. That's Formula One.

And then, finally, it's the race itself, where you finally get to compete with other drivers, although like the real thing it's difficult to overtake, and the most minor of prangs will require you to take a premature pit stop, or worse, leave you without a wheel or something equally race-endingly bad. And on the default lap settings, a premature pit stop means any hopes of a podium finish are out of the window, since you have to spend about ten seconds playing a rhythm action mini-game to fix your car or change your tyres. Indeed, since the pit stop is, like the real thing, the most important part of any race, it's a bit of a problem that it's sometimes difficult to make out which buttons you're supposed to press - and it's a shame there's no option to practice your pit stops. Anyway, if you have to stop playing the game in the middle of any of that, you'll have to do it all over again because it doesn't seem possible to save the game in the middle of a race weekend - which means even more value for money, of course.

'Formula One Championship Edition' Screenshot 3

Christijan Albers debuted in 2005, taking fifth place in the US Grand Prix and performing steadily throughout.

Here's some of the value that happened during several of my race weekends (having got over the early grievance not being able to create an Irish driver). At Imola, having failed to qualify for the third practice session, a shunt from behind on the first lap led to early retirement (after 18 minutes and 35 seconds). At the Nurburgring, wrestling with the steering assistance for a minute and a half in a bid to get into the pit lane wiped out the advantage of pole position. Completed the race in last place, after 26 minutes and 15 seconds (although the team bosses were still impressed enough to send an email: "Brilliant work Dave," it said. Further evidence that they might not be devoting enough attention to their new driver's burgeoning career arrived later, in the shape of two identical emails sent several weeks apart commending an 'excellent drive'). In Spain, after 27 minutes and 30 seconds of practising, qualifying (in pole) and racing (for 11 minutes), a shunt on the last bend of the penultimate lap led to another early retirement. In the next race, eighteen minutes of Monaco's winding roads in first position proved easy enough till Michael Schumacher caused a crash in the pit lane: another early retirement.

'Formula One Championship Edition' Screenshot 2

Jenson Button's first Formula One race was in 2000, and he has since taken two pole positions and 12 podium places.

And that's the problem with simulation. One of the facts that flash up during the game's loading screens reveals that Rubens Barrichello has won just nine Grand Prix in his career. And he's a professional racing driver. Formula One races are difficult. So it's a bit of shame that the game's concessions to learner drivers are simply a bunch of driving aids that do the job for you, and some fairly useless instructions tucked away in the menus somewhere. An (optional) interactive tutorial would have served as a much better introduction to the nuances of the sport than basically providing an autopilot. Indeed, as a measure of how much of a copout the driving aids are, leaving the steering assistance, braking assistance, stability control, visual aids, spin recovery, anti-lock brakes, automatic gears, brake bias, and traction control in their default positions enabled your humble correspondent managed to take pole position in the very first race. Switching them off, I struggled to make it round the track. They're driving aids, not teaching aids.

'Formula One Championship Edition' Screenshot 4

The European circuit, Nürburgring, was built as a replacement for the colossal 20km Nordschleife.

The benefits of simulation are that Sony get to show off all the spangly power of the PlayStation 3. All 18 tracks, 11 teams and 22 drivers from the 2006 Formula One season are present in the sort of meticulous, high definition detail that you won't notice as they blur past while you stare, goggle-eyed at the racing line. And the 11-player online multiplayer mode demonstrates the PS3's network connectivity. Still, it's a shame that the massive capacity of Blu-ray hasn't been used to fit more commentary on: it's a pity, at the start of Sony's next-generation of gaming, to find the commentary or pit crew chatter repeating itself every race. And since they don't offer the sort of precision the game's scrupulously faithful simulation requires, the Sixaxis tilt-steering is basically a novelty, and most drivers will fall back on either analogue stick (or a peripheral wheel).

And that's Formula One Championship Edition. It doesn't contain any real surprises and it does exactly what you'd expect a Formula One game to do. It's a faithful simulation of the sport: just like the real thing, it's mildly diverting, good for soaking up a hangover at the weekend but goes on far too long. And some people will be love it so much that they'll sit up all night just to catch a few qualifying sessions from Malaysia, or Australia, or wherever. Just like every Formula One game.

6 / 10

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About Dave McCarthy

Read more articles from Dave by visiting the Dave McCarthy archive page.

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Comments (50) Latest comment 9 months ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Steroyd #1 5 years ago

    Should have at least updated the roster.

    Especially how the 2007 season started LAST WEEK.

  • KillerMonkey #2 5 years ago

    It would've been nice if the reviewer could comment on the physics. If they're realistic and all? Not arcadey? Because that's the most important thing in a sim?

  • Agent_Llama #3 5 years ago

    Have to say, in cockpit mode, the Sixaxis control is almost perfection. Very impressive. Hopefully they'll offer a download to update liveries and drivers - perfect use of online service.

    P.S Don't drive it in out-of-cockpit modes - they never work in Sony's F1 games. Cockpit however, +1.
    Edited by 1 at 24/03/07 @ 08:01

  • Cuke #4 5 years ago

    "It would've been nice if the reviewer could comment on the physics. If they're realistic and all? Not arcadey? Because that's the most important thing in a sim? "

    Considering the whole review was basicly saying its so realistic it hurts and you'll either love it or hate it depending on your enthusiams for the detail of F1 as a sport then I think you can probably answer your own question there.....

    ;)

  • SBfistfun #5 5 years ago

    No mention that it barely looks any better than the ps 2 version, just hi def

  • Eraysor #6 5 years ago

    I would have considered it if it was updated to the 2007 season.

  • AaronTurner #7 5 years ago

    Just sounds like the reviewer doesn't like Formula 1.

  • Darren #8 5 years ago

    Well it's a better score than I expected but not as good as I'd hoped. I got the game yesterday and I absolutely love it but then I haven't played an F1 game in years so that probably helps. For me, this was the biggest surprise of the launch as I ended up playing this game far more than any of the other three I got yesterday. The handling is superb (yet Edge said otherwise when they gave it 4/10), the graphics are fantastic (compared with the last creaky old PS2 game I played) and the commentary is the best I've heard in a game of this type, particularly as its informative. I'd give it a 7 or an 8 personally. :)

  • Darren #9 5 years ago

    "Have to say, in cockpit mode, the Sixaxis control is almost perfection. Very impressive. Hopefully they'll offer a download to update liveries and drivers - perfect use of online service.

    P.S Don't drive it in out-of-cockpit modes - they never work in Sony's F1 games. Cockpit however, +1."

    I find the slightly offset to the left out-of-cockpit view to be the best one, maybe because it gives you a better view of the track that the cockpit mode but doesn't feel slower like the exterior car views do.

  • The-Bodybuilder #10 5 years ago

    I HATE F1 and related games and enjoyed the slating it got in this review, but even I must admit that this review was piss poor.

    This game was clearly made for those crazy F1 nuts out there. Don't get someone who doesn't like f1 to review it because not only will he/she hate it, but they also don't know what to look for.
    I mean that comment about driving without the aids making it almost impossible to drive. Did you ever, EVER, just once, think that this may be the case in real with f1 cars?

    It's like me reviewing an NFL game. No matter how good it may be, I'm gonna slate it anyways because I don't get the sport.

  • dsmx #11 5 years ago

    Having played this game at hmv yesterday I will give my verdict on it.

    The game does feel like a simulation, however with all the driver aids on this game can be played with never touching the brake button. My main complaint is though after playing burnout the sense of speed in this game is lacking sure your going 250kmh but it doesn't feel fast. I would tend to agree with the review also the cars do lock wheels so at least there not an invisible barrier round them. The detail is nice but it just seems to lack that fun element much like F1 in that respect, the constant obsession with slowing the sport down is killing F1 and much like this game it will only appeal to the hardcore F1 fan.

  • bunnymc #12 5 years ago

    This is bullshit, this game deserves 9/10

  • dsmx #13 5 years ago

    This game doesn't deserve 9/10 in any way, the season is out of date the racing much like F1 is boring and while damage is nice it doesn't change the fact that this game doesn't have any fun to be had. In my opinion of course, if your a hardcore F1 fan you'll love it, but only because there are no other F1 games being released.

  • muzzer77 #14 5 years ago

    Judge the game on its merits and not the sport. If you don't like f1 your not going to like a game on it. I have it and 6/10 is a poor excuse for a review. 8/10

  • Agent_Llama #15 5 years ago

    So far my only gripe with the game is that they haven't removed the ridiculous penalty system THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN IN F1 - if you get a black and white flag, you're cautioned, you might have to drive through the pitlane. They don't cap your bloody revs. I span off yesterday, the game insisted I'd cut a corner so slowed me for 4 or 5 secs, then slowed me for another NINETEEN seconds?! PLEASE, release an online patch that removes this RIDICULOUS system. It also fails to recognise that mistakenly cutting across the grass is ONLY a penalty if you gain a significant amount of time or fail to give back any places you make up because of the shortcut. Other games have got this spot on in the past.

    A shame really - I hate driving F1 games with penalties switched off, but the harsh reprimands doled out by this game for tiny errors leave you with little choice but to do so.

    It's another F1 game from Sony that could be SO MUCH MORE if people who actually knew something about F1 made the bloody thing.

    Oh, and the rosters: The fact it's last season doesn't bother me - the original F1 and F1 '97 and many others all came out after the season had ended, no problem. What DOES annoy me is that this is out after the season and the little changes in the rosters, like Kubica replacing Villeneuve, or Montoya leaving and de la Rosa replacing him, have not been included. Can't take too much work can it? Or even give us the option to change the driver names like in the good ol' days of F1 '97?
    Edited by 2 at 24/03/07 @ 12:05

  • dsmx #16 5 years ago

    The thing is I used to love F1, but recently it's become dull because they try to slow the sport down, overtaking has gone because all the aerodynamic things they put on the car disturbs the air more than it used to. You want to make F1 fun stop trying to slow it down, at most a cap on top speed say 300 km/h and leave it at that.

    But back on topic the game isn't fun I've played it and while it looks nice the racing isn't fun it's as simple as that.

  • Hughes. #17 5 years ago

    I always hated the driver aids in this series and the way they practically drove the race for you. When I played F1 '97 they were all turned on by default, it felt like going to a public toilet for a wizz and then having an invisible phantom grab your plonker and do all the aiming for you (I would imagine).

    The game does look lovely moving though, if I'd bought a PS3 I probably would have bought this just for the looks (and then traded it in after a fortnight).

  • kangarootoo #18 5 years ago

    I don't normally comment on review scores, as everyone's opinion is subject to their personal tastes. However, sentences like the following seem very out of place to me.

    "It's a faithful simulation of the sport: just like the real thing, it's mildly diverting, good for soaking up a hangover at the weekend but goes on far too long."

    "If you find the idea of racing round an empty track for up to fifteen minutes three times boring, then tough, because that's what you have to do in order to get a good position on the starting grid. That's Formula One."


    So the review seems to suggest this an extremely good simulation of an existing motorsport (that just so happens to bore the writer). On that basis, coupled with an understanding of the targert audience (of which the writer is apparently not a member), it sounds like a very good title.

    For the record, I don't personally like accurrate driving sims. I prefer stuff like Burnout and NFS, but I recognise that this is my own personal preference. And I also recognise that if something like GranTurismo was modified in ways such that I would enjoy batting round the tracks without taking my finger off the accelerator, it would have failed to deliver on its design brief and would disappoint its target audience.

    Question for Mr McCarthy, which may help readers in their descision making. Is there a better Formula 1 simulation game available on this or any other platform? Seems to me the answer to that question would be crucial information for fans of F1 simulation games, whoever they may be.

  • krudster #19 5 years ago

    No one else is even making F1 games any more, so that should answer your question.

  • Mr_Whacker #20 5 years ago

    "If you find the idea of racing round an empty track about ten times a bit boring, or if you find it impossible to tell what difference any of the settings make,"

    FFS, this is sim game review. Are you saying that in this F1 game you genuinely couldn't tell the difference between any settings? Other than aids can you tweak tires and gears etc?

    Yeah, me and my mate reckon its a top laugh setting lap times in Forza and PGR and switching over every 5 laps or so.

    "high definition detail that you won't notice as they blur past while you stare, goggle-eyed at the racing line."

    So will anyone else in the room see anything good?

    And on the game- qualifying was a multi car affair last season, wasn't it?

  • steoc4 #21 5 years ago

    I'd say this is the best F1 game since '97 (not counting GP4 on PC, I never got into it because keyboard controls suck)

    At the same time though the PS3 version isn't very different to the PSP version, I have both, obviously there's shinier graphics and more commentary but I'd been led to believe it had better damage modelling and the like but there was nothing significant that I noticed. Although there is one area where you really appreciate the PS3 and that's wet races. The rain covers your visor and streams off either side as you build speed very realistically, and the way it covers your vision when you get too close to another car's spray is very convincing, it makes the game 10 times harder as it should be. Playing the game has given me even more respect for real F1 drivers who compete in those conditions.

    If you like F1 you'll like this game though, absolutely. It can be as frustrating as the reviewer says. I did a race yesterday, went through all the setting up and qualifying, it was a 30 lap race (50% of full distance, you can set it for anything from 10% - 100%), and on lap 26 with a very comfortable lead I made a slight mistake at Veedol chicane, spun the car, tapped the wall, and retired from the race. I had to walk away from the console for a bit but it's things like that that make the racing exciting, you know you can't afford to fuck up.


  • effinwooly #22 5 years ago

    another poor launch title ?

  • Agent_Llama #23 5 years ago

    This is the problem with only one company having the rights to the F1 licence. Things were better around '99 when EA, Sony, Ubisoft and god-knows who else were competing with different F1 games. Made them try a bit harder I think.

  • Irien #24 5 years ago

    I think the point the review is trying to make is that only offers the hardcore sim approach, and therefore if you fancy a quick race round the streets of monaco (which I'm guessing even the sim-brigade enjoy once in a while), that's not on offer here, and would seem to be a significant ommission for an all-round package. A eurogamer six generally means "if you like this genre, there's some fun to be had here" and that's exactly what the review says. But casual F1 watchers need not apply.

  • trudgian #25 5 years ago

    This game is bloody awful. Haven't played a decet F1 game since Grand Prix 4.

  • ruckus #26 5 years ago

    Probably better off with the mods for rFactor (or even F1C).
    Don't like the sound of the pit-stop mini game .

  • Corben_Dallas #27 5 years ago

    So Dave is crap at F1 games then. Gr8 review mate. Footie games or RPG's more yur thing.

    Hhhhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmm.
    :|
    >>Sterody
    cant just upate the roster, without changing all the car liveries. + expect they will be in the next F1 game.
    Edited by 1 at 24/03/07 @ 19:28

  • captain-future #28 5 years ago

    The game looks good but that's because of the 720p resolution.

    The textures look like the were simply upscaled, sometimes they look very very bland.

    @KillerMonkey: You can setup the game to behave like a arcade racer one the one end or a killer simulation where the smallest error is punished. Just go to the options menu and set it up.

    On physics I can't say that much, but on the more realistic simulation setups it gets better... no Geoff Crammond's F1GP 2 if you know what I mean, but solid.

  • The-Bodybuilder #29 5 years ago

    Either way, this is the best evidence that NO review can ever be objective, no matter how much they may claim to be at professional, objective journalism.

  • Dizzy #30 5 years ago

    So all you "fans" of F1 know how if feels to drive a F1 car don't you?

    I thought so...

    The game is 6/10 fun... let it go.

  • Johnson #31 5 years ago

    Just because something is an accurate simulation, that doesn't mean it's entertaining. Singstar wouldn't be better if you had to spend 2 hours going "One, two, one, two" and adjusting the mixer settings but it'd be more realistic.

    This sounds even duller than 6/10 but nice to see the fanboys out again.

  • DanWhitehead #32 5 years ago

    For anyone who wants to see more objective reviews, here's a real treat - and it's FREE! Simply cut, paste and print the following text and stick it on your monitor before clicking on any review. Hosannah! Now you can have precious objectivity all year round, unsullied by pesky personal opinion.

    "This is a review of INSERT GAME NAME. It is all about INSERT GAME STORYLINE/CONCEPT. It has graphics, sound effects and music. You use controls to move things around on the screen, so you can try to win the game by doing certain things. Some people might find these things hard, while others will find them easy. There are similar games, some of which were released in the past and some of which are on sale now. You may prefer another game, or you may like this one."

  • sanctusmortis #33 5 years ago

    Did it ever occur to you people slagging the review that maybe, just maybe, it's not only F1 nuts who might play this? Surely, all an F1 fan needs is to know it's faithful, and a score doesn't matter?

    The review is for the normal, vaguely interested punter who misses the lack of a GT at launch and wouldn't buy it without reading about it first. For them, the game's a 6/10. For the F1 inclined, it reads like an 8 or 9. FFS, what's the point in reviewing a game for the hardcore fans? Gears would have got a 10, which tells the acerage punter nothing, and every XBLA title would be a 10! Grow up and realise reviews are aimed at the mainstream, not the dedicated.

  • SeesThroughAll #34 5 years ago

    I agree with the consensus that this would only appeal to F1 fanatics.
    Glad I picked MotorStorm instead. It's FUN! :)

    See ya guys online!

  • secombe #35 5 years ago

    That time penalty rule seems crazy, why can't they just make the gravel/grass actually slow you down by being slippy/stopping you and leaving loads of crap on your tyres?

    Seems lazy, if a relatively small company like SimBin can make a good realistic racer why can't Sony?

  • Weezer #36 5 years ago

    "One of the worst reviews i've ever read here.

    The reviewer didn't like an F1 simulation because it was to much of a simulation.

    It's no wonder i mostly only come here for the forum lately.

    Games don't get high marks unless they're oddities or indy games.

    EG should just add the extra couple of letters and call themselves EDGE."

    @Ja Long: If it's the same Dave McCarthy, he used to work on EDGE!

  • fawe3 #37 5 years ago

    Crap review thats true, but I still hope Sony start loosing money on their f1 games and maybe drop exclusive license. So there can be hope of getting some really good f1 game again.

  • FooAtari #38 5 years ago

    Simulation? Your kidding right?

    As a motorsport fan F1 is a real bore fest now, there is so much better racing out there. MotoGP, World Superbikes, V8 Supercars, BTCC, BSB the list goes on.

    However if you to play a decent F1 racer get yourself rFactor and download the CTDP or FSOne 06 mods. Better yet get Grand Prix Legends.

  • T4RG4 #39 5 years ago

    Everything Ive heard about the game says its Arcadey to play (physics) and this has been the case for a long time. Interactive pit stops all suck imo because thats a perfect place to rest your hands whilst stressing about being caught!

    Sony, please stop making these games or let another dev have a crack.

    Misses the point once again, its meant to be a great racing title where tenths of a second count. Put some love into the handling and stop pissing about with the other shite.

  • JYM60 #40 5 years ago

    did you review the demo or what ? i could have wrote a better one without playing it ffs.

  • Talha #41 5 years ago

    I think the problem is with the SPORT and not this game. The review ends up reviewing the sport, which deserves LESS THAN 5/10 (this from an enthusiast).

  • krudster #42 5 years ago

    I used to love F1 games (the first two Geoff Crammond ones, mainly), and they were fantastic at the time.

    People seem to forget that 10 years ago, F1 97 was the biggest selling title in the UK for the entire year, because it was a FUN game. These days, F1 games are a complere bore fest - and this, again, is from an F1 fan, so stop knocking Dave for telling it like it is.

  • sharky_ob #43 5 years ago

    F1 97 was no more or less fun than the new one, it was just novel at the time. If you went back to it now it would not stand up favourably at all - no analogue controls and ropey graphics/handling.

    I've not played this version (except the demo) but I do have F1 06 for the PS2, which is the same game according to people I've asked. If you're an F1 fan, this game does the business - simple as. The qualifying works so much better than single lap in a videogame, the handling is much improved from F1 05. My only gripes are that the AI could be more aggresive and I find driving in the wet a nightmare - the hard AI is much quicker than me.

    All driving aids were turned off as soon as I powered this up. Driving with them on simply makes no sense to me.

  • LOLLERS #44 5 years ago

    "No one else is even making F1 games any more, so that should answer your question. "

    Not exactly an F1 game, but Live for Speed on PC has the proper 2006 F1 BMW Sauber, and is also pretty much the best driving simulation game around. And it's great online, 20+ people in a server, not 11..

    So yes, there isa better F1 simulation around :)
    Edited by 1 at 26/03/07 @ 14:06

  • Carrybagma #45 5 years ago

    Didn't the same outfit make Motostorm?

  • mazzl #46 5 years ago

    @Dave McCarthy
    like stated in one of the first post.
    you missed to adress AI, physics, sence of speed, sound effects and some other stuff, next time, stay away from games you hate ;)
    common EG you can do better

  • DocTep #47 5 years ago

    "sharky_ob
    26-Mar-07 10:01:50

    F1 97 was no more or less fun than the new one, it was just novel at the time. If you went back to it now it would not stand up favourably at all - no analogue controls and ropey graphics/handling."



    I'm insanely late to this thread and i'm guessing you'll never see this, but actually i think you'd be surprised how well F1 97 stands up to all the Sony F1 games made since.

    Oh, and F1 97 did have analogue control. As far as i'm aware it was the first racing game on the PlayStation to support the original analogue controller.

    Ever since Sony Liverpool took over the series from Bizarre Creations, the games have been consistently underwhelming. Even a direct comparison between this PS3 version and F1 97 shows that the newer game still has several areas where it doesn't quite equal it. It's not that it's an awful game, but surely there shouldn't be any areas where a 10 year old PS1 game is superior.

  • kentmonkey #48 5 years ago

    Krudster (and I know this is very late) I don't think people were stricly having a go at Dave for 'telling it like it is'. I think most people were a bit let down by the review concentrating a tad too much on the actual sport and not enough on the main elements of the game, such as handling, physics, etc. etc. (I won't go into it all again).

    I just came here to read the review tonight as I'm thinking of getting this for a mate, but the review hasn't really told me enough about the actual gameplay to let me know whether I think he'll enjoy it or not. And that at the end of the day is what a review should do. Give people enough information (along with a personal verdict) to make their own buying decision from. This just didn't do that for me.

  • El-Dev #49 3 years ago

    This game is quality.

  • J.walther41 #50 9 months ago

    I think this was a great game, you can do more on this that was made in 2005-06 than you can on f1 2010