Formula One racing seems to have gone on
the back burner the past few years, but consistently excellent developers
Codemasters has come to the rescue of forlorn racing fans with the release
of another superlative racing simulation title, F1 2010 on the PS3.
Staying close to the successful approach the developer successfully
implemented in recent titles like Grid and Dirt, the game aims to take
players beyond the track in a number of key ways. The first thing you'll
notice is the extensive 3D simulation that takes you behind the scenes
into the racing Paddock. For those unfamiliar with F1 racing, the paddock
is the racer's home base, or trailer where they have access to all the
racing information on their career. This acts as a hub for the entire game
and navigating it is surprisingly simple. You merely have to move the
d-pad to select which mode you want to play in. The paddock is also where
the game's RPG type elements come into play. Here, you can take questions
from reporters and your answers can either help or hurt your standings
with sponsors and fans. It's a kind of rudimentary mode but its an
interesting addition to the career mode. As you'd expect, several modes of
play are available in the game, most of which are the standard types most
racers offer. You can choose to play a quick race on any of the tracks
using your favorite driver in the Grand Prix mode, practice your lap speed
in the Time Trial mode or challenge other gamers online in multiplayer
mode.
In addition to solo racing, there are
several multiplayer modes available in F1 2010 which include single-races,
one-on-one sprints and other modes. How good your online experience is
depends on large part on your opponents, which can range from impressive
to sloppy. The online interface was easy to navigate and we were able to
connect, configure and play online effortlessly over several days with
almost no noticeable glitches and little evident lag. These modes act as
practice sessions for the main event where you can compete in a real race
that's almost as intense as driving through a season yourself. For those
who want the most robust experience, F1 2010 offers players the choice of
entering a full career. You can change the length of the career, number of
laps and other variables before you begin and then embark on a full season
of races.
The game offers an extensive set of
options and adjustments players can make, which makes this Formula One
title feel more authentic and realistic than you'd expect. This is no
mindless arcade racer and requires plenty of skill and persistence to
drive successfully. Before each season, you are assigned to a specific
racing team and your team also has a rival, who will compete with you
while sharing your resources. Before each race begins, you can see a
number of key statistics such as number of laps, racing conditions, and
what adjustments have been made to your car. These include the type of
tire you'll use, which you can change from grip to speed, the angle of
your car's tail and front fins, which affects downdraft and turning speed,
and what type of engine you'll use. Selecting your vehicle configuration
is important in some stages since you are limited to how many tires,
engines and other props you can use during a race or season. You can
change these and other options before you hit the racetrack. Once you're
on the track, there's more to it than just steering and hitting the
accelerator.
You can get away with the basics on
practice laps and shorter races, but the longer and more realistic racing
sessions require more patience. During the longer races, you'll have to
pay close attention to other factors besides the road and the other
drivers. The car's engine heats and cools depending on the action and
you'll have to keep it at the right temperature for optimal performance.
Your tires and engine also wear out after awhile so you'll definitely need
to use your pit-stops wisely. This seems like a lot to keep track of, but
the game's smartly designed interface allows you to keep track of these
factors at a glance, so it doesn't really impede the racing mechanics.
When you're behind the wheel, F1 2010 gives you a few aids initially with
speed and braking the main assists offered. You can also use the trackside
indicator to show you the best path for each race. However, using these
assists drags on your overall performance and you have to learn the basics
and then unleash your vehicle's full potential before you can hope to
compete for a top position.
In
addition to these factors, you'll have to race with great precision, since
F1 2010 gives you very little leeway for error. Even going slightly off
the tracks on turns will penalize you greatly. You also get punished for
even the smallest collisions with other vehicles. This can be frustrating
early on but you'll get better at it with practice. Learning the layout of
each course is essential, as is being able to concentrate. You do have
some assists that you can use, along with the communications in audio form
from your driver assistant. Most of the time, you'll need to be patient
and not try to become overly aggressive on the track. Learning to use the
slower turning sections to your advantage is critical since these are the
only areas where you have a realistic chance of overtaking your opponent.
The opponent AI is very smart throughout each race showing plenty of
aggression. The competing CPU drivers won't hesitate to take advantage of
any mistakes you make. The biggest help you get are the rewinds which can
help you get a second chance at certain points. However, your use of these
is limited to only a few times per course at even the basic levels, so you
can't rely on them to win races consistently. Your skills are rewarded at
the end of each successful race with additional money that you can use to
add extra items and upgrades to your vehicle. F1 2010's racing modes make
you earn each reward, and there aren't that many short-cuts. For players
used to the more modest expectations of regular racers, F1's difficulty
level is steeper than you'd expect. The racing is intense and challenges
you to think strategically about pit stops and wear on your vehicle. This
approach encourages a more conservative and defensive style of driving.
You want to avoid damage at all costs since replacement parts are limited.
The strict use of penalties also means your driving needs to be flawless
virtually all the time. Its challenging and F1 2010's gameplay definitely
leans towards the simulation aspect of racing titles, but success is more
satisfying because of its technical approach.
Codemasters' last few next-gen racing
titles were full of eye-candy, specifically with the in-game mneus and F1
2010, while not as revolutionary, continues the trend. The rendering of
the Paddock is excellent and brings you into the space effectively, with a
dynamic interface that's easy to navigate and use. Once you're in the
garage, you can look around in 3D as well and take a look at your team in
real-time, which is especially slick for the gamers out there. The special
effects here are impressive but, the really impressive thing about F1
comes when you get on the track. Each of the real-world courses are
rendered with an impressive attention to detail, with their tracks and
configurations faithfully reproduced. The vehicles themselves look
fantastic with excellent bodywork evident in long-shots while the cockpit
views look near-photo realistic. F1 2010's graphics engine is excellent
and the game moves along at a steady, smooth rate throughout with very few
glitches making for a smooth, consistent experience that really shines in
HD. You'll also encounter impressive rain and other weather effects that
are more than cosmetic, with extra caution needed to traverse wet
surfaces. Excellent sound effects brilliantly recreate the feel of F1
racing with the engines' collective roar adding intensity to the race. All
of this creates a smooth, highly polished racing package that brings the
excitement and ferocity of F1 to life in an effective and viscerally
thrilling game.
The high-quality visuals, smooth frame
rate and superb production values definitely take advantage of the PS3's
graphical horsepower. Once on the track, F1 2010's intense and demanding
gameplay, smooth racing mechanics and impressive sense of realism and
authenticity makes this a solid all-around racer. The use of licenses is
effective but they aren't over-used which makes things feel authentic but
doesn't make you feel like you're playing a billboard. F1 2010 innovative
paddock hub system helps to bring you into the behind the scenes drama of
real professional racing, but players can also choose to diminish its
importance and concentrate on the racing itself. This makes F1 2010 an
excellent overall racing title that brings realism, excitement and
challenging driving to the fore. While its level of difficulty might be a
barrier to the more casual/arcade end of the market, this is an
outstanding technical achievement. F1 2010 delivers a slick simulation of
the sport that makes for an exceptional simulation of the sport.
- Michael Palisano
