rec.autos.simulators

So far, so good. This is based on 45 minutes of playing time.
The graphics are decent, but whenever you put a tire off, or drive over
a rumble strip, the camera shakes; that I find annoying. I have not
noticed any slowdown yet, no matter how crowded the field was. The four
camera views are nice. Each car has a unique***pit and wheel design. I
haven't found the replay mode yet.
Control is "iffy". In normal mode, it's pretty tight, but in sim mode
it's very twitchy. :-( Also, it seems that the control worsens when
using an external view. I sure would like to test this with a wheel.
The sound seems OK, but I recently moved and have not hooked up the rear
speakers to my home theater yet. The radio chatter is as good as F1CS2K
for the PSone, but during qualifying they often announced a competitors
establishing a new time at a split, but never for the whole track; odd.
One interesting note is that there is absolutely no music available
during the race at all!
During a 4-lap quick race at Silverstone, it began to rain, and several
cars went off the track and/or spun out. I don't have any damage options
unlocked yet.
There are tons of game options, including several for multiplayer. You
have to unlock Grand Prix mode, though. (In fact, you have to unlock
nearly everything). This is accomplished through the challenge mode,
which is akin to license tests in GT3. Somehow I managed to eke out a
99.9% on the second one; the rest not nearly as good. You need 60-89.9%
for a bronze, 90-99.9% for a silver, and the full 100% for the gold.
Doh! The challenges involve basic driving skills, pitting, and track
knowledge, etc..
The garage is only available in simulation mode. It's quite extensive,
but does not allow the turning radius to be altered. I can't comment on
the championship mode as all I have unlocked so far is the Grand Prix
mode, and even then I don't have access to all of the options.
The BAR cars do have the EA Sports logo on them, but still have the
Lucky Strike generic logo on the sides and not the BAR logo as seen at
the recent USGP.
Overall, it seems pretty good. I would like to compare it to 989
Sports' Formula One 2001, but have heard it's not as good.

--
"Life is what you experience between racing games"
Galley

Here is some posts I made about this game on another board:

Well, since F12001 isn't out for the PC yet I went ahead and got the PS2
version this evening, I will be getting the PC one as well. I can't believe
it! The simulation mode is hard as hell! The back end will come out NO
PROBLEM if you are the littlest bit too quick with the gas, it's like GPL
for the PS2!! It's got over and understeer, if you try to turn with the
brakes on it understeers you right off the track. I am blown away, I didn't
expect this, I figured it would be easy like the last version. If you have a
PS2 go and get it, it's incredible. I can't wait for the PC version though
because I don't have a wheel for the PS2.

and

OK, small update. I've been playing it all night and finally went ahead and
unlocked the manual gear changing, you have to do these little trainning
exercises to get certain parts of the sim version going, anyways... I am
just in shock! This game is really amazing and yes the graphics are really
good(it's no Grand Turismo 3 though, what is?), the enviroment mapping off
of the shinny paint jobs on the cars is REAL DEAL, it shows what you are
passing under EXACTLY, it's especially impressive when you use Montoya with
the chrome helmet, it is incredible! The physics are the real kicker, it's
like they hired someone to do it that was a GPL head or something. When the
back end starts to go around you can catch it and brake then down shift and
gun it and slide the damn car around, just like Montoya! I know most of you
are saying "this guy is nuts", but you have to believe me it is TOTALLY
unexpected.

How good is the physics compared to GT3, particularly the F1 cars in
GT3?

- Michael

Does the manual mention which wheels are supported?  Specifically, the
Logitech Driving Force PS2 wheel is supported (this works with GT3 and
NH2002).

Thanks is advance, Brian

Can't speak for the EA version... but the 989 version of Formula One 2001
does supported the Logitech Driving Force PS2 Wheel( it is listed as a
controller option in the menus ).

FWIW, I am pleased with the 989 version.

bdarian

When is F1 2001 coming to PC ?

Peter

Supposed to be out in the UK today!

Ian,

It's suppose to be out in North America as well right ?

Peter

The EA version works with it too.

I have read that the Logitech wheel is supported.  It will support up to
four of them at once!
--
"Life is what you experience between racing games"
Galley

Just a suggestion, try EA F12001.  I too was pleased with the Sony F1 until
reading comments here and at other ng's.  After picking up EA, the Sony
version is in the bag ready to return to EB.  EA is superior in almost all
aspects: physics, sound, graphics, feel, and overall racing experience.
Here's a short comparison.

Physics:

EA: Feels the way I expect an F1 would except a bit grippy at times and not
enough feeling of inertia when lifting and "gliding" through chicanes.  The
feel is one of tremendous power and speed with very tight control.  Easy to
drive but hard to drive extremely well.  Control is very direct and smooth.
FF is good, not GP3 and certainly not GPL but the best F1 after those.

Sony: Feels very similar to EA.  Major difference for me is the actual wheel
control (using the Logitech Force GP).  The control isn't as direct or
immediate in this one.

EA wins here by transferring excellent physics to your hands via control and
decent force feedback.  I did my standard F1 physics test: cut the wheel and
pop into first gear.  This is the "celebration" dance where the car spins in
circles.  EA looked and behaved exactly as expected, spinning around the
inside front tire.  Sony felt artificial, spinning slightly, moving forward
and STOPPING then spinning again.  This just didn't feel real.

Graphics:

EA: I can't believe how good this looks with 22 cars on the track!  GT3 are
you listening?  Trade in some eye candy for more cars and damage.  Pure
racing experience is far more important than the color of the sky at sunset.
Back to EA, the tracks aren't the most accurate but the graphics are superb.
Great textures, lighting effects, particle effects, etc.  Best F1 visuals on
a console by far.

Sony:  Looks dated but certainly still very nice.  Little too much shimmer
and jaggies.  Colors muted and overall darker.  Gameplay impact, it's harder
to see what's ahead.

EA wins handily again.

Sound:

EA: Best sound ever, period.  Won't waste too much time describing since I
think it's not even close.

Sony: Sounds like a toy F1, not even close to reality.

EA wins again.

Gameplay:

EA: Bottom line for me: fun.  The AI is a huge improvement over prior years.
Competitive, sometimes daring, far from perfect.  I play sim mode, no
driving aids with EASY opponents.  For comparison, my avg. lap at monza is
1:28.  I'm hardly an expert but on easy I'm in the race.  I qualify 12-13
and generally stay competitive throughout, finishing anywhere from top 10 to
last depending on the day I'm having.  The racing is tight and exciting,
probably more exciting than real F1 which is okay for me since 1 hour of
lapping alone is not my idea of racing.  I don't mind a slight departure
from pure F1 that includes more passing and action but still seems realistic
and credible.  I really enjoy this game.  The challenge mode was a fun bonus
that is worth going back to as a sort of driving school for the newbies.

Sony:  The AI is pretty good around the track but I can't get around the
first lap!  At monza I've crashed and restarted at least 30 times.  I'm
either too fast and rear-ending the car in front or too slow and getting hit
from behind.  I know first turns can be treacherous but this is just poor.
There are still hits and spins in EA but I get through the first chicane in
EA at least 9/10 times.  The lack of a true***pit view is a big negative
for me as well since I never feel like I'm actually IN a car.

EA takes this category as well.

Overall:

EA is my choice for best modern F1.  I won't spend anymore time with GP3 on
the computer since EA on my TV looks better (amazing considering the PC
resolution advantage), feels just as good if not better and is more fun and
immersive.

--
Joe Marques