It's been quite a while since gamers had a chance to get their teeth into an up to date Formula One title, with the last licenced game, Formula One Championship Edition, appearing on the PlayStation 3 back in 2007. This, of course, was a time when Lewis Hamilton hadn't even burst onto the scene and when Jensen Button was still a perennial under-achiever. Now it's 2009, and things are very different. Right now, Formula One couldn't be more popular.
When it was announced that Codemasters had acquired the F1 licence, gamers instantly become optimistic. With games like DiRT and GRiD under their belt, Codemasters have a proven track record with the genre, and Sumo Digital, the developer chosen to make the versions for Wii and PSP, also have a great deal of experience in the field.
We recently had the chance to check out the latest build of the game on the Nintendo Wii and things actually look quite promising. All of the typical features expected in an F1 game are there: it's possible to do full races or byte-sized versions, take part in practice sessions and qualifying, and of course, the roster is up to date for the current season. There are also a few extra challenge modes added on to give the game a bit more longevity, like drafting challenges, and flying laps.
What really makes an F1 game though, is its gameplay. After careful deliberation, Sumo Digital decided that they would be best suited trying to target both hardcore gamers, and those of a more casual nature. It definitely shows, as the game is very accessible and it's instantly playable. This is partly due to the wide array of driver assists available, but it just feels very refined and simple. It's also worth pointing out that the game supports various controls schemes, one of which is the use of a driving wheel peripheral. All of these features add up to make it a very comfortable experience for casual gamers.
Hardcore gamers shouldn't fret though, as there are plenty of options to make them feel at home. There is a pretty extensive level of customisation available, and players can change their gear ratio and tyre pressure amongst other things. The game is actually quite challenging with all the assists turned off and the AI racked up to its hardest difficulty setting, so those who think this game might be a cakewalk designed for the casual audience couldn't be more wrong.
The sense of speed that fans expect from a Formula One game is definitely present, although cornering does leave a lot to be desired. Even with assists completely off, it's still possible to take corners at pretty high speeds and it often leads to cars drifting around them - not something that's commonly associated with F1. It doesn't really detract from the experience at all, but it does slightly ruin the illusion of the game being a realistic simulator. Kers, the innovative system of kinetic energy, is also present in the game, and it can actually be used by all the teams, instead of the few who use it in the real season. It gives players the ability to perform a speed boost for a few seconds a lap, something which can be crucial to getting that acceleration boost coming out of a hairpin or on the home straight.
Overall, F1 2009 looks like it will be a pretty decent F1 title. It has plenty of modes to keep people busy, and the gameplay, while not completely simulation based, should cater to the casual, and quite a lot of the hardcore crowd. It's due out on the 20th of November, 2009 for the Nintendo Wii and Sony PSP.
Community Forums
