Formula 1 Championship Edition Update (Ign.com)

- ign.com -

UK, November 16, 2006 - When we last took Formula 1 for a test drive there was only a single circuit to race around and barely a handful of other options to get stuck into. We've now taken a newer version of the game for a spin, which includes an additional track as well as the full roster of cars and drivers likely to feature in the final game, giving us a taste of what we can expect when it launches next year.

Only the Quick Race option worked in the build we played with Time Trial, Grand Prix Weekend, World Championship and Career modes greyed out. However, all 11 constructor teams from the 2006 season have been shore-horned into the game and each car has been accurately modelled on the real thing and decked out with all the correct sponsor logos. All of the drivers from the season that's just finished are in their too, with Alonso still driving for Renault and Michael Schumacher still battling to secure his eighth championship win. Although the front end is far from finished, with an intro sequence noticeably missing at present, official portraits for each of the drivers and outlines of the circuit you're about to race around really add to the authenticity of Formula 1.

Since we've already taken you around Indianapolis, we'll skip straight to the newest track, Monza, for the Italian leg of the F1 season. As Quick Race was the only option available, there was no opportunity for us to improve our qualifying times and work our way up into pole position, so we started in the middle of the grid. On the start line you have a few seconds to wallow in how detailed visuals are - the impossibly polished cars, heat distortion rising from the engines and the cardboard-looking crowd waving from the stands - before the starting lights go out and the race begins.

One thing to note right from the off is that Formula 1 gives a tremendous feeling of speed, especially when racing from the in-car or first-person viewpoint. The cars accelerate away hard, making the most of Monza's long opening straight and within seconds the packed out grandstands make way for lush green trees that whizz past in a blur. It's not just trackside objects that have been modelled in the game either, but the surrounding trees and buildings too, giving the game a real sense of depth. The sky, too, looks almost photorealistic, especially when it's clouded over during the wet weather races.

Don't take your eyes off the track for too long though, because the first corner is a right-left chicane that catapults your car into the speed trap if you fail to slam on the anchors hard enough. Edging out onto the rumble strips enables you to take a wider, faster route around the apex without losing grip, although the front of the car judders in protest, but the tyres will still maintain their grip. However, overcook the accelerator too much and the rear end will slide out, sending you spinning off into the grass. Getting back onto the tarmac is no easy task either, because the loose grass sticks to the tyres and reduces their grip, causing them to spin if you accelerate too hard.

Luckily, Formula 1 Championship Edition can be played on a number of levels - from a realistic simulation to a dumbed-down arcade racer. As a result, novice drivers can enjoy the thrill of hitting 200mph thanks to the driving aids that feature in the game, including steering and brake assistance, stability control, visual aids (such as a virtual racing line and arrows the point out the direction and severity of the next corner), anti-lock brakes and spin recovery. Crash damage and penalties can be switched off too, so you can effectively steam-roller your way into first place by nudging your way through the pack. Very Michael Schumacher.

Turn the realism and damage up to maximum and it's a different racing experience entirely. Admittedly it's not so realistic it's unplayable, at least at this stage, but it's still tough enough to ensure you'll only complete a lap by sticking to the racing line and gentling dabbing the brakes and accelerator to maintain control of the car. Push it too hard and the tyres will lose their grip or, worse still, you'll crunch into the back of the car in front, sending shards of carbon fibre body parts flying across the circuit. Damage naturally affects the performance of a car and while we assume you'll be able to replace shattered spoilers and wings by entering the pits, the feature wasn't working in the build we played. Instead we kept plodding around the track in our broken car until we were disqualified for causing too many prangs.

In addition to customising the handling and realism of your car, you can also play around with race conditions, including tyre wear, opponent AI and - most impressive of all - the weather conditions. We've already pointed out the rain effects in previous looks at Formula 1 Championship Edition but it's worth reiterating how fantastic they are. Sitting on the grid in the torrential rain, hundreds of tiny droplets pour down the visor of your helmet, distorting the track and cars ahead. But, as your car picks up speed, the rain snakes off to the side and clears your view, exactly as it would in real life. Slow down for a tight corner and the rain builds up once again, making it harder to see where you're going.

Although Formula 1 is still some way from completion there's no denying it looks great and the two finished tracks give a good indication of the detail and realism we can expect in the game. We can't wait to drive through the snaking streets of Monaco and hit top speed along the back straight on the Gilles-Villeneuve circuit in Montreal. We're also keeping our fingers crossed for full 22-player online races, so hopefully we'll see you out on the circuit.