System: PS3
Dev: Liverpool Studios
Pub: Sony (SCEA)
Release: Feb. 27, 2007
Players: 1-2
ESRB Rating: Everyone
Review by Jonathan Marx

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Review Rating Legend
1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid
2.0 - 2.4 = Poor
2.5 - 2.9 = Average
3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
3.5 - 3.9 = Good
4.0 - 4.4 = Great
4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
5.0 = The Best

Sound effects in this game are quite good. They are very realistic and really help set the stage. The whine of the engine and the changing of the gears is spot on. The voice of the pit crew chief will crackle over your helmet's earpiece, giving you vital pearls of information. The commentary, regrettably, does not live up to the rest of the game. The voiceover work is dry, and not particularly informative. The announcers will let you know who has had a particularly good lap and who is setting the pace, but overall they sound about as exciting as the prospect of lawn mowing on Sunday.

The multiplayer side of this title will be its most riveting feature. You'll be able to create or join games with people from all over the globe to find out who is the world's champion. This will be done through a simplistic matching interface, stat tracking, and leader boards. The competition will be fierce, and people will be living alter lives as racing professionals through the compelling online experience that has been created by Sony and Studio Liverpool. You will be able to check out rankings, lap records, chat with people through the online community, and manage your profile to enhance your unique identity.

All in all, this is an excellent title that will change the way we look at racers. Don't look for it to shatter any sales records here in the U.S., but if you're looking for a technical racer that requires attention to be placed on tire wear, rather than the unlocking of vinyl decals, you will be in for a real treat. Look for Formula One: Championship Edition at the end of February.

By Jonathan Marx
CCC Freelance Writer

Features:

Formula for success or form over function?
by Maria Montoro

Formula One Championship Edition is a F1 racing simulator targeted towards racing purists and F1 lovers that are looking for complexity and realism. If you like racing games in general, you will still enjoy it. However, you might feel that you're being bogged down by minutiae. All of the details that mark Formula One racing are found in this game, which can be both a joy and a hassle.

Having said that, Liverpool Studios has done it right. You can choose from all the Formula One stars, including the Schumachers, Alonso, and Raikonnen, and teams like Renault, Ferrari, McLaren, Toyota, etc. All 18 Formula One tracks are true to life, making it feel as if you were truly part of the Championship. The game offers a very dynamic sense of speed and the stunning visuals don't affect its flow. Overall, the game feels exactly how it should, fast-paced and technical. Automatic transmission was far too easy. One could simply keep the X button held down and steer. However, manual transmission truly ups the ante. The constant need to shift both up and down will not only greatly add to the challenge but also enhance the overall gaming experience, making you feel like you're actually piloting a F1 racer. The game also provides the opportunity to use the motion sensing capabilities of the Sixasis but the vehicle becomes much more difficult to control. They need to work a little harder on this issue, as this seems common in PS3 games that make use of it.

Formula One Championship Edition is fully customizable; you can select from many different options such as driving aids (manual or automatic transmission, steering and braking assistance, antilock brakes, etc.), visual aids (different camera angles, virtual racing line, etc.) and driving conditions (weather, tire wear, fuel use, crash damage, etc.)

There are several modes of play: Quick Race, Time Trial, Grand Prix Weekend, World Championship, and Career Mode. Grand Prix Weekend is a full simulation of a weekend stop during the Championship season. Everything is included from car testing and analysis to time trial, pole position, and the actual race. In World Championship mode, you will race all 18 stops that make up the full season. In Career mode, you will create a profile and guide your racer to stardom. You will have your own agent that will communicate with you by e-mail and keep you updated. In order to be recruited by a team, you first need to pass their trial tests. Once passed, you will be offered the opportunity to race with three basic teams. More prestigious offers will come later, as you prove yourself.

The game will also offer two player split-screen gameplay so you can race against your friends, and multiplayer racing via online or LAN connection. Just create a profile by selecting your name, nationality, team, etc. and get to it. We didn't have the chance to fully test all of these features, but we are sure they won't leave us disappointed, as the game is solid and well-designed.

The graphics are breathtaking, as are the majority of PS3 titles. Rain and sun effects are simply amazing and contribute to incredibly realistic gameplay. Everything, from the fully detailed clouds to the way the sunlight changes with every turn of the track, adds to the overall visual experience.

Sound effects are also exceptionally lifelike. The screaming drone of the Formula One cars is reproduced flawlessly. If you follow the sound, you'll know exactly when to shift gears, and if you've gone off-track you'll hear a distinct humming sound letting you know to take the turn easier next time. The commentary is weak but does not necessarily detract from the game experience. It just doesn't add much and doesn't seem to be as well planned as the rest of the game. Nevertheless, I liked the fact that your team partners will give you advice and information about the race while you're on the wheel. This helps to get you more into the game and make up a more genuine experience. Music is nearly non-existent except for the opening screens.

Loading times are lengthy and excessive though not totally unbearable. Tips and trivia are offered to lessen the wait. However, I saw the same tips multiple times in a short period of time.

By and large, this game seems to be well-made, with great attention to detail and is a must-have for any Formula One aficionado. For the rest of us, it's good for a bit of fun and an in-depth look at the world of F1 racing but the title's complexity makes it a game to which you must commit. It's not one that you can just pick up and play for a short period of time. If you are ready to devote yourself to this game, give it a try! You shouldn't be disappointed.

By Maria Montoro
CCC Co-Site Director