Formula 1

I walked into my local Blockbuster video the other day and noticed they were selling some of their pre-played movies and video games. There was a large assortment, but most of the games were way over priced for being as old, and played as often as they were. I was about to leave, but then I noticed, at the bottom of the pile, a copy of Formula 1 by Psygnosis for a mere $4.99. After seeing the price, I quickly concluded that this game must "suck" as the other games were all over the 20 dollar price mark. Still, I figured I can't lose out too bad for that price, and decided to buy the game.

When I got home, I wasn't too eager to play the game. There was no instruction booklet, and I haven't read a review on it before. There wasn't really anything to get me hyped on the game. I put it on the counter, and let it sit a couple of days. In the meantime, I even joked to the neighbor kids how I had a new game that I never played. They thought me crazier then before (they already thought me nuts for being an old man with thousands of games), and mentioned how they could never do that. Something about just having a new game makes most people compelled to play immediately. Me too normally, but this time was different. Nothing about this game excited me, and I have never really played a "good" Formula 1 game. This is a genere that, in my mind, the developers haven't been able to nail down right.

When I finally popped the CD into the tray, I was greeted with an amazing surprise. This game Rocks!!!!!! I really mean it!! I have no idea how this game could've gone unnoticed by me for so many years. I'll tell you straight up, this is positively the best Formula racing game I have ever played, and one of the best racing games in general that I have ever played.

Everything about this game is good. The sense of speed is amazing, the enemy AI is almost perfect, and the graphics are the best I've seen moving at the speeds that they do.

The first time you have to work your way up the pack in a race will simply amaze you. The car graphics are awesome and the cars all act completely realistic. I really can't stress the quality of this title enough. I'm a hard one to please on racing games, but this one definetely does please me.

Loads of options too.  I can't really say how many tracks, and different options there are right now because I am doing this review from memory (Something I don't normally do, but this is an old game). I can however say there are many tracks, and just about every gameplay option you can think of. There is something for everyone here. From Arcade play to full on 2 hour simulation, I'm sure you'll find a mode to interest you. There are even variable weather conditions, and the cars can take damage. Lots of drivers and teams to choose. One thing that really impressed me was the fact that all the driver views worked well. Usually games have a one or two good camera angles but they all are good with this. Again, I can't say how many, but there are quite a few.

So is it perfect you ask. Well, no, I do have a few minor gripes. For one, there is no onscreen track to indicate upcoming curves. Another... The load times are impossible!! There was a few minor graphical flaws too like pop-up, and some glitches in the road. Other then these it is just about perfect !! I tell you, this game gets my highest recommendation!!! Still don't know how it passed me by for so long!

RATINGS
GRAPHICS 92%
SOUND 95%
GAMEPLAY 99%
ORIGINALITY 90%
REPLAY VALUE 95%
OVERALL 94%