and through, but has always bought good open wheel sims like Indy Car 1,2,
GPL, and F12000 for the novelty of it but never spent any real time except
for GPL actually learning the tracks or for track conversion. A little
background on my system ...
PIII-1Ghz
32MB Geforce2 GTS Pro with SGRAM w/21.81 drivers
512 MB of RAM
Headphones attached to SB Live! Value
TSW2 Stock with Momo wheel and Clutch kit and High Grade pots
Resolution for game: 1024x768x16
I had been running Silverstone this weekend on F1 2000 because some of the
reviews on here had got me interested again in an F1 Sim. Actually, I had
been interested since the US Grand Prix a few weeks ago. Anyway, I learned
the track this weekend and got to the point where I could keep the car on
the track there and win a race with the default grip setup that came with
the game. So, I finally get the game yesterday and bring it home.
Installation is a breeze and here I go. Fancy opening which I care nothing
about. Anyway, I get to the main menu. Whoa. Now this is a lot different
from F1 2000. Anyway, after a second I get used to the new layout which I
like a lot better. I set up the controls which seems to go faster than
before and all the options. I turn everything on full blast and in high
detail just to see what it will do. Set all the options to maximum simism<G>
including the no clutch assistance option. No mercy <G>. I select Test Day,
the Ferrari and go to Silverstone. I load the setup that comes with the game
for that track (btw there is a setup for every track) and click drive. The
first thing I noticed was I was actually behind the wall in the garage.
That's cool and different. So, I throw her into first, pull forward, and
turn to the right. Very cool but that don't mean anything. Rev Limiter on, I
drive down the pit lane and exit. The game does not turn the limiter off
automatically so I leave my foot on the floor and hit the "L" key to
disengage. From that point, I fell in love. The sound of the engine was
unbelievable. That has the be the best sound sensation for any game I've
ever played because of the range and energy in it. It may not be the most
realistic thing on earth but it sounded good. Anyway, I go through the
gears. The sensation of speed is wonderful, probably better than I could
ever had believed. With F1 2000, it never seemed like I had much more hp
than what you sense in Nascar 4. With F12001, though, it was just thrilling.
The feeling of acceleration was indescribable. I go around the track taking
for granted the slight differences between the two sims and get to the first
hairpin, drive in too hard, and then downshift one too many times and the
car breaks loose, just like it would with N4 or Heat at the Glen, for
example, and I stall the motor! LOL. Anyway, you get the idea. I fall in
love with the game. I go to Spa and boy does frame drop city hit!! LOL.
Anyway, I spent a lot of time last night just driving and enjoying. I'm not
gonna claim how realistic the game is or not because I dont play the open
wheel games a lot, especially the newer ones, but I felt like I was driving
an F1 car and to someone who doesn't play these kind of games everyday, that
is fine with me. Now if I can just learn how to do setups for this game I
think I will play it for a long time. Anyway, that is my first impression
and it made a very good one.
Phillip