F1 2006 Championship Edition Review
Formula 1 is the largely popular motorsport series that travels around the world, bringing entertainment to those who watch. F1 fans who have followed the sport for a couple of years may remember the 2006 season. This was of course the year Fernando Alonso scored his 2nd Drivers World Championship Award. The dedicated F1 game for this season was developed and produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and was originally released on PS2 and PSP. However when the PS3 was released the studio decided to continue to develop the game for the new system. Because of Its great power it was possible to be developed in glorious HD. Along with this a ton of new features were added. Read on to find out what they were and our verdict of the final product.
Once you’ve undergone the installation and setup process you are greeted with the main menu. On this menu there are several options to choose from; Single Player, Multi-Player, Options and Extras. The first option on the list is where you’ll be spending most of your time. It features all the gameplay options that the F1 fan could ever need; Quick Race, Time Trial, Race Weekend, World Championship and Career. The 1st , 3rd and 4th options feature all of the official Drivers, Teams and Tracks from the 2006 Formula 1 season. The remaining two are slightly different. As well as all the official Teams, Drivers Etc Time Trial offers the chance to drive eight classic F1 cars from different Era’s of F1 history around the modernistic tracks of today. These eight cars can be unlocked through career, by reaching milestones. For example meeting a session objective, or winning your first race. The eight classic F1 cars are as follows: Alfa Romeo 158, Cooper Climax, Lotus 49c, Honda RA272, Lotus 72e, Williams FW06, Renault R501, Williams FW18.
Career is very much the storyline of your Formula 1 career. It starts off with three invitations, from low ranked teams, offering the chance to drive a Formula 1 car. When one is chosen you are tasked with beating a low set target. Achieving it will buy you a contract offer to race with that team. However failing will result in a declination for a race seat that season. We recommend going into time trial and practicing a little before heading on over to Career. That way you’ll get a better feel for the cars and tracks, as well as the opportunity to dial in your set up with no time limit.
If you’ve played any of the more recent F1 games (F1 2010, 2011) then you’ll be familiar with the variable race options available (On the Quick race mode) Race distance and a complex weather system are two of the many options available. This means that you’re able to fit the race to your available time space and difficulty level, as well as maybe creating challenges you just will not come across in the Career. Some of the other variables include: Opponent AI Level, Crash Damage, Fuel Use and Tyre Wear, Component Failure and Penalties.
Multi-Player has the typical online and LAN game modes that can be found in so many other racing games. However because this is one of the older games available for the PS3 the online play is rather bland, there is nobody in the online lobby. This is unfortunate as the game has so many good traits. And unless you have two systems running on the same network there is no split-screen style gameplay. Another rather disappointing feature.
Profile is where you’ll be able to find all your statistics from the game. Time on Track, Quickest Laps. Etc. It’s also where you’ll be able to find a cool trophy room. Where all of your awards are displayed, along with your unlocked classic cars. The remaining locked cars are hidden under a brown dust sheet. This gives you the incentive to go out and unlock them, to gain an understanding of what cars back then were like.
Time for the Pros and Cons.
As usual we’ll start with the Cons
Now it’s time for the Pros
Conclusion
F1 2006 C.E takes a rather different approach to Formula 1 racing and how it should be presented. Unfortunately it wasn’t always for the best. The Cons clearly outweighed the Pros, which is a shame as the title had so much potential. However this game is a few years old now, and was harder to judge because of that. If we’d reviewed when it was released we may not have been as harsh as we have today.
We recommend this title to anyone who is looking to complete their F1 memorabilia collection, or is looking to drive some classic F1 cars. Otherwise go for one of the newer Formula 1 titles. Or even an all-around sim racing game such as Gran Turismo 5 or Forza 4.
To anyone who is looking for a casual driving experience, stay away from this genre completely.
Once you’ve undergone the installation and setup process you are greeted with the main menu. On this menu there are several options to choose from; Single Player, Multi-Player, Options and Extras. The first option on the list is where you’ll be spending most of your time. It features all the gameplay options that the F1 fan could ever need; Quick Race, Time Trial, Race Weekend, World Championship and Career. The 1st , 3rd and 4th options feature all of the official Drivers, Teams and Tracks from the 2006 Formula 1 season. The remaining two are slightly different. As well as all the official Teams, Drivers Etc Time Trial offers the chance to drive eight classic F1 cars from different Era’s of F1 history around the modernistic tracks of today. These eight cars can be unlocked through career, by reaching milestones. For example meeting a session objective, or winning your first race. The eight classic F1 cars are as follows: Alfa Romeo 158, Cooper Climax, Lotus 49c, Honda RA272, Lotus 72e, Williams FW06, Renault R501, Williams FW18.
Career is very much the storyline of your Formula 1 career. It starts off with three invitations, from low ranked teams, offering the chance to drive a Formula 1 car. When one is chosen you are tasked with beating a low set target. Achieving it will buy you a contract offer to race with that team. However failing will result in a declination for a race seat that season. We recommend going into time trial and practicing a little before heading on over to Career. That way you’ll get a better feel for the cars and tracks, as well as the opportunity to dial in your set up with no time limit.
If you’ve played any of the more recent F1 games (F1 2010, 2011) then you’ll be familiar with the variable race options available (On the Quick race mode) Race distance and a complex weather system are two of the many options available. This means that you’re able to fit the race to your available time space and difficulty level, as well as maybe creating challenges you just will not come across in the Career. Some of the other variables include: Opponent AI Level, Crash Damage, Fuel Use and Tyre Wear, Component Failure and Penalties.
Multi-Player has the typical online and LAN game modes that can be found in so many other racing games. However because this is one of the older games available for the PS3 the online play is rather bland, there is nobody in the online lobby. This is unfortunate as the game has so many good traits. And unless you have two systems running on the same network there is no split-screen style gameplay. Another rather disappointing feature.
Profile is where you’ll be able to find all your statistics from the game. Time on Track, Quickest Laps. Etc. It’s also where you’ll be able to find a cool trophy room. Where all of your awards are displayed, along with your unlocked classic cars. The remaining locked cars are hidden under a brown dust sheet. This gives you the incentive to go out and unlock them, to gain an understanding of what cars back then were like.
Time for the Pros and Cons.
As usual we’ll start with the Cons
- Physics: Even though F1 2006 is said to be one of the great F1 sims of its time, the physics are where it was let down. The cars seem to have way too much grip, even with all the aids turned off. You’re able to chuck the cars into any corner at any speed and come out unscathed. However when the back end does break loose you’re never able to save it. Something that real F1 drivers are able to do. Thoroughly disappointing.
- Artificial Intelligence: The overall AI difficulty level always seems to be too easy, they never really put up a fight, and always let you through to take the position. Proving no real challenge to the hardcore sim racer.
- Controller Playability: Being categorized as a serious racing game you would imagine that F1 2006 C.E would have some sort of wheel support. Logitech and Thrustmaster users are suitably catered for. However it seems that Sony didn’t take into consideration that not everyone has a wheel, and not everyone can afford one. This means that the controller is fairly horrible to play with, the steering is particularly difficult and the mapping never seems right, whatever layout you choose. The only glimmer of hope is the SIxasis setup. (Tilting the controller and using it as a steering wheel) It seems fun at first, however it’s just not accurate enough to really nail the car. And after a few laps your arms start to get tired, meaning that you can never run a long race. Unless your arms happen to made of metal and are able to lock in place.
- Weak Career: This may be down to the previous point, it may not. However we felt the career was just way too easy. Entering a season with a low ranked car and winning the first race may be down to luck, but winning the next three just isn’t. We even went back to the setting to check it really was on the highest level, sure enough it was. This was rather disappointing as the game had some rather good traits.
Now it’s time for the Pros
- Fulfilling F1 Experience: Although the Cons seem to weigh it down a little. F1 2006 C.E really does a great job at offering a full F1 experience. Unlike Lewis Hamilton you don’t get the luxury at starting out with a top team. You have to work through the ranks, starting out with a Toro Rosso or Super Aguri. Undergoing full race weekends. Learning about F1 and working out how to perform at your best. You also get the chance to change history, challenging some of your favourite drivers to take the drivers world championship from Fernando Alonso.
- Visuals and Sounds: This is one area where F1 2006 C.E does pull through. The graphics are amazing, the detail on all the tracks and cars are fantastic. This really matters when you’re driving around in some older cars and have no idea about their appearance.
- Other Cool Little Features: Besides racing. F1 2006 C.E has other, smaller features that give this game its character. Learning and Tips is a great way of teaching the F1 novice a little about how F1 works and what it’s all about. The loading screens have little quirky facts about the history of Formula 1. The trophy room has a warm and welcoming environment, making it the perfect place to check out all your trophies and classic race cars. Even the gameplay offers little features that make the title stand out. Interactive Pit stops is one of the more noteworthy. Sitting in the pits can sometimes feel powerless, you don’t feel in control. However with this title you are the one who can make or break your race. You can’t blame it on the Pit Crew because, you are the pit crew. Without these little features the game would just be Gameplay. And then, it probably wouldn’t have been as successful.
Conclusion
F1 2006 C.E takes a rather different approach to Formula 1 racing and how it should be presented. Unfortunately it wasn’t always for the best. The Cons clearly outweighed the Pros, which is a shame as the title had so much potential. However this game is a few years old now, and was harder to judge because of that. If we’d reviewed when it was released we may not have been as harsh as we have today.
We recommend this title to anyone who is looking to complete their F1 memorabilia collection, or is looking to drive some classic F1 cars. Otherwise go for one of the newer Formula 1 titles. Or even an all-around sim racing game such as Gran Turismo 5 or Forza 4.
To anyone who is looking for a casual driving experience, stay away from this genre completely.