F1 04 - PS2

Bigger, better and faster. Year on year, every Formula One venture or update seems to claim this. For brand new F1 games, this is a bold statement, but for series well known to the gaming public, improvement is the least that can be expected from the latest sequel. Sony's F1, previously a renowned Psygnosis offering, is perhaps the most popular of the genre, and the addition of F1 04 on PS2 raises the series benchmark higher than ever.

The game's single-player offering is now massive, and comprises of Arcade, Classic, Season, Simulation, Custom, Race Weekend, World Championship, Time Attack and Test Drive play modes as well as a very in-depth Career option. Here, players are welcomed with updated 2004 season stats from the real-life sport, and can get to grips with 18 circuits and an array of officially licensed teams and drivers.

On the whole, it's a hardcore experience, but the inclusion of fantasy cars, prototypes and creative circuits also help to remove the player from the virtual pressures of racing stardom if they so wish.

Then there's multi-player - the real improvement to the series and probably the single most important reason to make that much-needed purchase. As with previous games, F1 04 presents itself with the much-loved split-screen multi-player game, but that's pretty much standard. But what's special with F1 04 is that it's the series' debut online venture.

Yep, those equipped with a broadband adapter and a high-speed connection can take their F1 cars online in a global challenge that brings fans of the game even closer together. Computer AI in racing games has always been undernourished, but replace them with real-life players and it's a whole new ball game - one well worth playing.

So, is F1 04 bigger, better and faster? We think you know the answer. more