F1 2010 Impressions (PS3, 360, PC)

[Sundown2600]

Here are my early impressions for the PS3 just playing around in practice mode. I'll do a full review later on tonight or maybe tomorrow.

I started off driving with all driver aids turned off because that's the way I want to progress within the game, but let me tell the most enjoyable part of the game is driving (it should be in a racing game) Codemasters really nailed the nervous, skiddish feeling of a real F1 car. I can see Anthony Davidson's input made a huge impact on the 'feel' of the car. Low speed cornering is a true challenge. You truly need to feather the throttle coming out of slow corners especially if you are in low gears, or else you can easily find yourself in a wall with no front wing. I was racing in Melbourne and I was caught out several times trying to exit corners with heavy throttle. Previous games tried to emulate this but they just never got it right. I'm needing to learn from scratch how to race an F1 game because I am no longer able to cheat in slow corners by mashing down the throttle too early. The steering is very responsive the steering learning curve is almost at zero and that is a plus. It's easy to take this for granted but games in the past have had steering issues either too responsive or not responsive enough. Another plus is the ability to customize game controls. Big thumbs up for this because I switched out my gear shift buttons as the default controls didn't feel right as they were. I saw the AI on track during practice and they behaved normally. Giving plenty of room and respecting your space and their own. In the past I've seen AI cars flat out and all of a sudden slam on the brakes in an attempt to let you 'pass' and all you do is crash into them. The feel of the car and the AI in practice is pretty good. I still haven't raced yet I will comment on race AI later.

The graphics are nice but not mind blowing. The cars are well rendered and Albert Park looked very close to the real thing. I was a little disappointed that the mirrors are only visible by pulling on the right control stick. Very hard to do while racing even on the straights. It will take some getting used to. The menu interfaces are slick and easy to navigate. Be careful when playing a single GP and setting difficulty level. There are 'Simulation' options further down like tire wear and fuel consumption. I missed these early on and I see others have as well. I like the garage menu a lot it makes you feel part of a team and not just a guy controlling a car. I liked the close to official looking timing and scoring with purple and green sector times...the whole bit. The lighting effects in this game should not be taken for granted. Early morning practice sees the sun low in the sky. A very nice touch.

I'll be back with more later but I do have to say I am very disappointing with the with lack of a 'TV' race feature and most disappointing is the lack of a 'real life' camera angle on replays. That really sucks. Also the inability to rewind back to at least the previous lap is not good at all. The most I'm getting on the PS3 is a corner at best.

Oh forgot about sound. Sound is ok but I heard a guy complaining about a lack of environmental sound. That is not true I heard the crowd a few times coming out of corners with grandstands (final corner to the pit straight in Albert Park)

Ok that's it. I'll chime in with more as I play more need to wash clothes now.

P.S. One more thing. If you live in N. America and you didn't pre-order this game for the PS3 or 360 it will be very, very hard to find in the first week or two from now. Talked to a guy at my Gamestop and he said most locations are only getting 2-3 copies at best and they are going to those who pre-ordered. I'm also hearing many chain outlets like Best Buy and Wal-mart are not getting many games at all. Wal-mart is only selling online from what I've seen. I think Codemasters are reviewing early sales here in America and they will go from there. That last part is just a guess though.

[JMD]

Quote: Originally Posted by zoxcv

Besides the pit problem, AI not crashing, no failures, now we get ZERO car damage unless played on expert. The worst interface of any sports game I've played, it doesn't even have an option to select car damage separate from difficulty level. The list just keeps growing. It's amazing that within a few hours of playing this game we can catch these errors. Codemasters couldn't catch them in months of testing? Right... 4/10. Avoid.

I'm not sure what system you have the game for but the above info is incorrect as far as the 360 goes.. With the 360 version of the game you can set the car damage under Difficulty Settings. I'm playing with the A.I. on Amateur and I can set the damage to - OFF , VISUAL ONLY , or FULL.

Also I have not had any issues with pit stops.

Also i love racing games, and this game is an excellent racing game. 9 out of 10.

[bluengold34_OS]

Quote: Originally Posted by JMD

I'm not sure what system you have the game for but the above info is incorrect as far as the 360 goes.. With the 360 version of the game you can set the car damage under Difficulty Settings. I'm playing with the A.I. on Amateur and I can set the damage to - OFF , VISUAL ONLY , or FULL. Also I have not had any issues with pit stops. Also i love racing games, and this game is an excellent racing game. 9 out of 10.

Thank you for clarifying that JMD, as I thought it was strange that you can change all of that on the PC, but that they would change it up on the 360.

[Sundown2600]

Question for PC gamers. How long are your replays lasting? On PS3 I'm only getting about 7-9 seconds. That's really disappointing.

[Behindshadows]

Quote: Originally Posted by bluengold34_OS

Agreed, the Codie forums would be so jacked up, the internet might shut down. I am seeing accidents, and the AI making mistakes driving off the track, and bumping into each other. I also see them taking different lines( as much as possible in F1 ) and they are not reckless with the interaction of AI and humans.

I guess it must be console issues, because on PC, I'm getting crazy drivers a few wrecks, and I'm getting plenty of car damage. I even broke my right wheel until the car was not able to driven.

Quote: Originally Posted by Sundown2600

Question for PC gamers. How long are your replays lasting? On PS3 I'm only getting about 7-9 seconds. That's really disappointing.

Full Replays!!! Check Video Below!!!

[Sundown2600]

Damn PS3 users get shafted on NCAA 11 replays now this game! Even the Xbox gets full replays on NCAA 11 I bet they get full replays on this game too. That takes a lot away from the game on PS3 it really does.

[bluengold34_OS]

If he is talking about full replays after a race...its 100% as evidenced by BS's video above. If he is talking about jumping out and hitting replay during a time trial, its about 9 seconds also. I just checked and it would only go back approximately 9 seconds.(PC version)

[Sundown2600]

Quote: Originally Posted by bluengold34_OS

If he is talking about full replays after a race...its 100% as evidenced by BS's video above. If he is talking about jumping out and hitting replay during a time trial, its about 9 seconds also. I just checked and it would only go back approximately 9 seconds.

Ok got you. I'll do a race and check it out.