I am a big fan of the Gran Turismo series on the PSX and PS2, Grand Prix
Legends on the PC, and Formula One '97/CE on the PSX. Now I'm looking (at
the end of the season, quite convenient, <sighs, as he realizes he would
only be following the off-season>) for the best (lol, that's not a
subjective term) F1 game/sim for the PS2. Can someone help me along in the
decision-making process here?
Note: I live in the US; therefore the following are the upcoming US F1
titles.
*** Formula One 2001 by Sony ***
From what I've heard, this is the best sim-like F1 racer out there. Made by
the folks behind F1 '97 on the PSX, this is *probably* what I'll wind up
with. But I really wonder if the graphics (don't get me wrong) are up to
the current standards. IGN's movies site is down, so all I have to look at
are blurry screenshots, but can someone with the UK version tell me how it
looks compared to, say, F1CS2K on the PS2?
*** F1 2001 by EA Sports ***
This probably wins, graphically and aurally, hands down. But while F1CS2K's
details (i.e. individual tires in the tire barriers) were very nice indeed,
shattering real-life lap records by 10+ seconds was not (i.e. Magny-Cours
was flat out from Lycee through Estoril and up to Adelaide - rediculous).
The screenshots I've seen for F1 2001 are in-freaking-credible. Real-time
shadows all over the place, reflections, etc. Certainly looks the part, if
a tad cartoony.
I suppose what I want is the closest thing I can get to F1 '97 (my only
regularly-played F1 title for four years - it's incredible). I want
understeer. I want senses of speed, both in sight and sound. I want
excellent AI. I *do* want a nice-looking game, though. That's really my
only concern about Sony's game - I want the graphics and sound up there as
well.
Thanks for helping me out! Any and all advice is appreciated!
- John P. Wilson