22 replies to this topic

[Nasty McBastard]

that f1 challenge game that atari knocked together for the ps2.....

anyone know if its any good?

read some reviews that say its not bad...but then again i read some that said as much for f198, and that was probably the biggest pile of **** ive played f1 wise.....

[Superbar]

Surely you mean the "Grand Prix Challenge " game developed by Infogrames Melbourne house? I have'nt got it, but I've heard some very positive opinions about it so I'm tempted to.

[911]

I should be receiving it any day now, so I'll let you know..

911

[Nasty McBastard]

yeah, sorry "grand prix challenge". but the one i saw advertised (in last months f1racing) was made by atari.

same game as the infogrames one, just released by diff people in diff countries? or different games?

[Viktor]

Originally posted by Nasty McBastard
yeah, sorry "grand prix challenge". but the one i saw advertised (in last months f1racing) was made by atari.

same game as the infogrames one, just released by diff people in diff countries? or different games?

Its the same game. The name Atari is ownd by Infogrames (or the owner of Infogrames...) and Atari is a more known name then Infogrames so thay publish the games under the Atari name, Stuntman was also a Atari game.

/Viktor

[Superbar]

This tread actually reminded me, so I got it now.

First impression wasn't very favorable actually. In-game music? But it could be turned off. Then I plugged in my force feedback wheel. No documentation of support in the manual, but it does work. Badly though. There's some kind of delay so that it feels like the steering column's made of rubber or something. Oh well, tried out the regular controller and it worked much better. Good enough for me to have great fun racing the AI cars. The setup options are very basic so if you like to spend time to fine tune your setup you'll be disapointed. I don't mind though, as I like to race most of all. Grapfhics are very nice and I have not noticed any slowdowns yet. A good sensation of speed. Difficulty can be set in two ways. First is the level of the AI cars. You have three levels to start with but a fourth can be unlocked. Second is the handling of the car. Three levels where the first is suitable for beginners, it has automatic brakes. That's ofcourse turned off for the higher levels. By having two ways of setting difficulty you can for example have an difficult car but easy opposing AI. No talk during game. Niether pit-radio or commentary. Text messages gets displayed for information.

That's my first impressions after spending a couple of 5-lap races with the game (you can set full length races if you want). I've won one race (Brazil) with Bernoldi. Think I'll have to increase the difficulty setting... Anyway, despite the first disapointments I'm having fun with this game.

How it compares to the FO2002 I have no idea.

[polaris]

I have just had a few goes at it and can't get to grip with the rubery steering. There seems to ge a dalay after the steering input and then when it does steer you are past the corner wide then oversteer. I have tried with a wheel and the normal controllers and its the same. There doesn't seem to be any way of adjusting the sensitivity, Othewise the graphics are ok and I like the sounds of the cars.

[911]

IMHO, the game has terrific graphics - much better than EA's games. I do have a complaint w/ the steering (I have a logitech Driving Force) and the car seems to understeer on exit. I suppose once I get used to the condition it shouldn't be that big of a problem. Overall, I do like the game (I just picked it up yesterday). It seems more enjoyable than EA's F12001 & 2002.

[6Addict]

How is the AI? Is it realistic? and how about lap times, do they seem to be in line with last year's times?

[SeanValen]

Originally posted by 911
IMHO, the game has terrific graphics - much better than EA's games. I do have a complaint w/ the steering (I have a logitech Driving Force) and the car seems to understeer on exit. I suppose once I get used to the condition it shouldn't be that big of a problem. Overall, I do like the game (I just picked it up yesterday). It seems more enjoyable than EA's F12001 & 2002.

Keep us updated on your impressions, I might get f1-2002, but I've been waiting for the next thing.

[911]

Originally posted by SeanValen



Keep us updated on your impressions, I might get f1-2002, but I've been waiting for the next thing.

SeanV & all,

IMHO, the handling is decent and the game is actually quite fun. I know people will probably shoot me for saying this, but I really like the handling on EASports F12001. Those cars were very responsive, albeit a little sensitive. They handled just like my kart. With GPC, there's definitely a lot more "turn-in" on the steering wheel, so the cars don't feel as responsive.

I also wished it had more detailed setups. For example, you can't change tire pressures (only the compound). What made F12001 nice was you could actually "feel" the difference when you adjusted the tire pressures.

But, the game has some very nice features:

Replay: I enjoy this one because it was absent on EASport's F12001 & F12002 games. You can replay your race and view the entire replay from each one of the 22 cars on the grid.

Autosave: Although EA fixed the problem on their F12002 version, it was missing the 2001 and it was highly frustrated having to set the car up for each track you raced.

AI: I happen to like this AI because it's fair. It's not incredible, but it's not ridiculous, either. The framerate is superb, unlike EA F12002.

Graphics: Pretty darn good, if you ask me. The tracks seem more realistic than EA's. For example, in EA's version you could take Eau Rouge flat w/o a problem. You can't do that here. Also, at the Bus Stop chicane you have to take it at the true speed (about 45 mph), not 90-100 as you can on EA's version.

I was getting quite bored of EA's games, but this one has put the fire back into it for me. I'm doing all of my time trialing in Expert & TC off mode, btw. The other modes are too arcadish. Anyway, it deserves the kudos that it has received. Go out and get it.

911

PS: I've heard mixed things about the controllers vs wheel issue. Some have said that they can get quicker times with the d-pad controller, while others say they go quicker w/ the wheel. I've only tried it w/ the wheel, so I can't comment. Enjoy.

[911]

I just did a full Grand Prix distance race this afternoon and it was quite enjoyable (Sepang). I'm starting to get used to the physics of the car. I'm still using a lot more steering input than I did w/ EA Sports F12001, but I'm getting better at it. I ran several laps in the low 1:30s (best was a 1:30.099), but I can't seem to get one section down smoothly and this is costing me a lot of time (it's the section that leads onto the last straight). Anyway, I did the race in Expert Mode w/ TC off.

911

[6Addict]

911,

i find the turn leading up to the last straight to be hard in all the sims i've tried. it's very hard to find a breaking point and turning point, because there seem to be very few visual cues and the turn is kind of blind. it's the section where i either make or break my lap, and i find it very hard to be consistent

[Nasty McBastard]

so its not a total pile of crap then.

admittedly im not a fan of 'easy/arcadish' games, and thats basically what most race games are on PS/PS2.

but some of the ones ive tryed 'lately' have gone too far. i finally gave up on the GT series, i gave up on codemasters toca series after that 'toca world championship' thing or whatever it was about a year or so ago....the original f1 series has been awful hit and miss lately...hell, f197 is still the only one ive kept, and the EA series never did much for me.

i realise no game is gonna be a GPL or whatever as far as realism....but im jack of games you can win on the hardest levels as gastone mazzacane on your first ever race.

[servellen]

Gp challenge; i bought it, played it a brought it back to the store and traded it in for fifa soccar 2003--- much better---

I used to play gp2 on pc and loved it----- i have sony f12002 which is ok, but the car never slides really, i like car car that will lose tha back if ytou push too hard, and then learn to drive on the edge--- i like competetors that you can race against for a race, pass, nad they'll come back at you--- i cant do that with the sony game----

But oh yeh, gp challenge---- it indeed steers like rubber--- like there is a delay, so i steer right--- oshit to much, so i correct left, delay car is going all over the place, dont like the feel for it----

So far i enjoyed gp2 on pc the most just because of the feel with a wheel, and the ability to import new car sets, and change opponent characteristics per driver--- so you can tialor the game to your style and level----

Anyone hear of a geoff cramond gp game for ps2 or x box let me know how it is---- §

[911]

Originally posted by 6Addict
911,

i find the turn leading up to the last straight to be hard in all the sims i've tried. it's very hard to find a breaking point and turning point, because there seem to be very few visual cues and the turn is kind of blind. it's the section where i either make or break my lap, and i find it very hard to be consistent

6Addict,

That section is tough!! I either brake too early and then have a poor exit, or I come in too fast and understeer through the corner.

I'm glad you are around so we can swap times again. How do like this game compared to F12001? It's taken some time for me to get used to the steering, but I'm getting used to it.

911

[6Addict]

Hey 911,

This is a great game. I actually like it better than F1-2001, mainly because of the way the car behaves. I use the PS2 controller, and I find the steering to be pretty good.
I actually like the fact that the settings are simple, and I think the car is customizable enough to make it interesting to modify set ups, etc. The AI is quite good to, IMO.

I spent about an hour this afternoon trying to get a good time in Brazil, and managed to get a 1:12:56 (not sure if it's good, but it's better than the default record by about 1.5 secs), but I think I could go quite a bit faster with a better setup/more practice. The first corner and the twisty section are awsome when you get them right.
I set this time in expert mode, with high TC, and no ABS. I'd prefer playing without TC, but the controller does not really allow you to be very precise with the gas pedal and brakes.
I experimented a little bit without TC, but I need to practice a little more to get it down.

[911]

6Addict,

Great to hear that you enjoy the game. We'll have to start sharing some setups & notes for Brazil. I'll give it a go this week.

911

[6Addict]

911,

I managed a 1:10.1 in Brazil with the same settings. I also did a half race distance yesterday, which was quite miserable. Doing quick single laps is one thing, stringing 30 or so laps without making big mistakes is quite another.

About the AI, I think it's quite good in the sense that it is hard to beat (for now at least), but I must say that there is a little too much bumping ans shoving going on. The only other complaint I have sor far is that the towing effect is way too pronounced.

Other than that, I'm still having fun.

[911]

6Addict,

Well, you are a lot quicker than me at Brazil right now. I think I did a 1:14 last week, so I have some work to do.

I did a full Grand Prix distance race at Sepang and I know what you mean. It is VERY difficult to do that many laps w/o making a mistake. That race lasted 1 hr 29 minutes. It's great for the concentration, though. I'll start posting some times soon.

911

[911]

6Addict,

Any new updates on GPC? I've been so busy this week that I haven't had a chance to play. However, I will try to get some sessions in tonight.

911

[Ricardo F1]

Picked it up on Saturday and I've been very impressed I have to say. Although it's certainly less sim based than many would like that's what you're going to get on a PS2. Graphics wise far better than the EA efforts and the lack of slow down is admirable. It's actually pretty much the same group who did GP500 for Microprose a few years back.

Went through the season on easy and it was way, way too easy, but that opened up the Ace AI level which is damned tough. Once the music was off I found it a joy to play . . . .

[JDeRosa]

Originally posted by Ricardo F1
Picked it up on Saturday and I've been very impressed I have to say. Although it's certainly less sim based than many would like that's what you're going to get on a PS2. Graphics wise far better than the EA efforts and the lack of slow down is admirable. It's actually pretty much the same group who did GP500 for Microprose a few years back.

Went through the season on easy and it was way, way too easy, but that opened up the Ace AI level which is damned tough. Once the music was off I found it a joy to play . . . .

well if it's good enough for you.....I'll defintely give it a go. I'll rent it this weekend if I can, I'm a bit skint at the mo ;)