F1 Challenge '99 - '02 - PC

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F1 Challenge '99 - '02  (PC)
Viewed: 3D Combination Genre:
Racing: Formula One
Media: CD Arcade origin:No
Developer: Electronic Arts Soft. Co.: Electronic Arts
Publishers: Electronic Arts (GB)
Released: 27 Jun 2003 (GB)
Ratings: PEGI 3+
Accessories: Control Pad, Steering Wheel

Summary

Anyone in need of a virtual Formula One fix needn't look very far these days - there's a wealth of high-speed, authentic video game recreations out there. One aficionado of such titles is Electronic Arts, who, on a yearly basis, keep us updated with the sport by bringing us a cross-platform release of that particular season's respective F1 game. This game, however, seems to be taking a different approach, featuring four complete seasons, from 1999 to 2002.

As always, it's all fully licensed by Formula One Administration Limited, so you can expect to see 14 teams, 44 different vehicles, 34 drivers, and 17 of the world's most famous racing circuits, all configured as they were for each season from 1999-2002.

Proclaiming itself as featuring unrivalled authenticity, the game really goes to town on faithfully recreating every last detail in every area. Subsequently, there are high-resolution car models to be found, including details right down to the very last shut line. Circuits include real life structures, helicopters, aeroplanes, real sky panoramas, animated grid girls, motion captured pit crews and even bumps in the track surface as they exist in reality. Also with an emphasis on realism are the game's damage effects, which feature some nifty physics modelling of the vehicles' carbon fibre body components.

The main concept behind the single player mode sees you put in the game, having your performance tracked as a real life driver. As such, you'll be up against the likes of world championship drivers such as Damon Hill, Jacques Villeneuve, Mika Hakkinen, and Michael Schumacher, as you progress through the game's respective seasons. Alternatively, if you fancy pitting your wits against more human opponents, then there's the game's multiplayer mode, which enables you to hook up the net and face off against up to 16 players across the globe.

With the inclusion of fully featured telemetry, which enables you to realistically tweak your driving style and vehicle set-up, as well as a set of painstakingly sourced engine sounds, F1 Challenge must really be commended for its depth. If an F1 game is next on your list, this may well be worth a look.