Formula One 2004 (PS2)

[MichaelH]

apparantly F1 2004 was released today.

I've enjoyed the last couple of Sony efforts, but they have got a little bit samey. I'm hoping for great things from this, but not expecting them, I'll buy the game tomorrow if I can find it and post impressions of it.

Anybody got this yet?

[Jordi]

Since I received a PS2 just yesterday I will be buying it.

[Mark Webber]

I hope its harder than 03' (as in the level of other drivers)I'm sick of winning every thing by over a mintue.

[Vicki]

I find 03 hard enough, but that may be because of eyesight problems.

[alesi95]

apparently theres a bonus feature that allows you to race the Lotus 72, Tyrrell 6 wheeler and the Williams Fw14.

[MichaelH]

oddly no sign of this anywhere.

Guess that means it's been dalayed. Can I swear?

Got Indycar 2005 on Xbox instead, but haven't tried it yet.

[Fuzzyfelt]

According to Sony it's not out 'til the end of the month.

http://uk.playstation.com/games/game...&linktype=RCNF

I hope to stand to be corrected though.

[Fuzzyfelt]

Another update. According to my local Game it's out on the 23rd.

[MichaelH]

Amazon say 30th, Gamestation 23rd. Was originally set for the 9th. I'm always a bit worried when a game slips, especially considering This is Football 2004 recently came out months after its original due date and was completely awful.

[shiny side up!]

Hey, at least you get the thing, unlike the US...

[MichaelH]

you can import it can't you? I can't imagine, as a console gamer, not having access to the Sony games because they actually do justice to the sport, unlike EA who concentrate on licencing and f*ck all else.

Really want this game for the Bahrain and China tracks.

And if true, the classic cars! alesi95, fingers crossed, that sounds superb!

[shiny side up!]

I could import it, but can't play it on my North American NTSC Playstation2 without putting a mod chip in it...

So yeah, the only F1 game I have is EA's F1 2002, which as anyone can tell you is utter shyte!

[MichaelH]

yup, my sympathies on that.

F1 2002, indeed, is ****. Sad thing is, Career Challenge (on the consoles at least) is even worse.

[yobro]

Originally posted by Mark Webber
I hope its harder than 03' (as in the level of other drivers)I'm sick of winning every thing by over a mintue.

Want hardness, play Formula 1 Challenge for the PC.

[Down F0rce]

F1C on the PC is without doubt the best F1 game about.

F1 2004 is like 2003 with updated cars. And they've nicked the career idea from F1CC on the PS2.

[Mark Webber]

but what does it play like?

[Minardi fan]

Originally posted by MichaelH
Sad thing is, Career Challenge (on the consoles at least) is even worse.

F1CC was the only time EA got it right. Almost. Sony's F1 2003 is the best next-gen one around at the mo.

[Jordi]

F1 04 is not too bad. I still prefer F1C9902 for the PC, but at least there's Bahrain and China in this one, and a career mode where you get emails with offers and test drives.

[Fuzzyfelt]

it's out then?

[BertMk2]

Originally posted by Fuzzyfelt
it's out then?

Out today

[Minardi fan]

Aye that it is, and so far, I'm impressed. The presentation is superb, and it plays very nicely indeed.

[Jordi]

We got it here in the hypermarket where I work on the 26th, don't know if that was the supposed scheduled date to be honest, I just put it on the shelves and bought a copy for myself!

[Fuzzyfelt]

I know we think this initially with every Sony F1 release, but it does seem impressive and a step forward from the previous games.

The cars seem quite skittish and inclined to snap away under heavy braking while the set up options, though not as detailed as ol' faithful, F1'97, are a vast improvement on the preceding PS2 games.

The graphics engine has had an overhaul with some neat new track models and much more solid looking cars. There are some neat graphical touches like the return of dirt on the visor (hooray!) and tyre wear showing over a number of laps.

The sound could be better though. Or, maybe I haven't turned it up loud enough yet!

The big question is still the AI but I think I need a few more goes at it yet ... what you think Jordi now you've had it a few days?

Oh yeah, and Michael doesn't win all the time

[Jordi]

To be honest it's nearly the first game I play on the PS2, so I can't compare it to previous titles. I find it to be quite nice, but a Jordan win at Montmeló with Bruni second seemed a tad unrealistic. By the way, I haven't played it that much actually!

Do you all think I should get a wheel and pedals? I find it difficult to drive with the Dual Shock thing.

And yeah, the sound isn't impressive. The AI, in my first couple of races in the Minardi, is that it's quite good. It's realistic in the way that it's hard to make up ground once you've lost a bit, just like in real F1, and they are not easily passed. (Never easily passed with a Minardi, actually)

[Knowlesy]

I'm gonna get this tomorrow. I'm impressed that someone has finally put unlockable F1 classics into one of these games, something I've been crying out for since god knows when!