31.3.2007

I am a huge F1 fan and own three of Studio Liverpool's previous F1 games; F102, F104 and F106. "Why the gaps?" you may ask. Well because I have always realised the potential the programmers have for a well-designed F1 racing experience but they had never quite managed it and so I gave them a year off each year to improve...I don't like wasting money! Although, I must admit that I rented F1 2005 from a rental store (based on F104's potential) just to see what it was like. It was better but still not quite there (still too many bugs).So now I own F1 2006 and I have to admit, I was plesantly surprised. The handling of the cars is a HUGE improvement (I'd even go as far as calling it exciting - I use a Speedster Fanatec steering wheel by the way).The way cars accelerate now does seem to take account of the smoothness of the track (i.e. if it's bumpy, the acceleration is staggered) and also way the car reacts to the rumble strips is superb - you're even punished if you take too much curb at a corner; the car will spin just like a real F1 car. Cars oversteer AND understeer and when you apply opposite lock to an oversteering car, it actually affects the car (unlike previous versions!) Also, in F105 I could easily lap 2secs faster than other drivers - this doesn't happen in F106 game - I do love a challenge and this game has it.The AI "when racing" has also improved immensly - I say "when racing" because if you're practising or qualifying, then the AI is awful. If you slow down to let a car behind pass you (say you're mentally preparing for a quick qualifying next lap, it will pass by about 10ft in front and then slow down until you pass it back again!! Also, there are some corners where opponents take ages to accelerate out of it (same problem as in previous versions). Also, I would have liked to see cars in front actually take different driving lines to try and stop me slipstreaming them (like in TOCA 3 - worked v. well). So yes, it's an exciting, improved and enjoyable game...but it still has way too many bugs:- When exiting the Canadian or French GP pit lanes, as soon as you pass the speed limit line you should be able to drive away at any speed you wish (well, in the real world anyway), however in this game and for some unknown reason, you accelerate to about 110 and then the car suddenly limits itself to 60mph!- As in previous games, they still can't get the damage physics right. Don't get me wrong, they have improved a lot (wobbly wheels, punctured tyres (new addition), losing a wheel) but as with previous games, if you hit the car in front square in the rear, 80% of the time your wheel starts to wobble instead of your front wing taking damage.- The Renault car is undrivable, purely because the engine has a horrible whirring sound which really grates on the hearing (there's always one crap-sounding car in each F1 game). The other cars sound great BTW.- If I knock my rear wing off, I should be able to "slowly" return to the pits to have it replaced...in the real world. But no, it automatically retires you from the race.- Altering in-game brake bias and traction control was easy in F105(directional control up = TC up one setting). Now it's a nightmare: to move TC up one setting, you (whilst driving at 200+mph!) push up once or twice(!) on directional control, then left to alter - to change the brake bias by one setting can take upto 4 moves..why so many instead of the previous 1 S-Liverpool??- You can't save (or load) your own chosen car setups (i.e. if qualy turns wet, you can't retrieve a previously-saved wet setup or a set up from another similar track.- I want to alter wing settings one degree at a time, not 5% each time!Parade lap is a semi-welcome feature (you can turn it off thankfully), but it won't let you pass a car in front. Now, I know you'd incur a penalty in the real world but isn't this game supposed to be a simulation??- My racing TC is set to 0%, 55% and 65% - 0% because if I spin, I want to give it full throttle to spin the car around the right way. However, it is impossible to spin the car in this game!- Personal flaw: on approaching the pits, I'd love to apply my own speed limiter and drive into my own pit box not be subjected to a tedious autodrive function. I guess this is down to PS2 limitations but if not, sort it out Studio Liverpool!- Bugs are annoying!!!To summarise, hugely improved game but still contains those stupid bugs S-Liverpool seem to be renowned for. I am glad I bought it though and I dare say I'll probably break from the norm and buy F107...or rent it first! Top top: if you want an F1 "sim", go for TOCA 3 - the 80s and 90s F1 cars are spot on (2000s are crap, v. unrealistic).

30.7.2006

In ALL previous F1 simulation games, it became tiresome after a while because it was too easy to beat the computer. In the '06 version, this is no more. The game has the same three difficulty settings as the '05 version; easy, medium and hard. The difference is that the 'medium' difficulty on this game is only a little bit easier than the 'hard' difficulty on the '05 game.However, if you are a beginner, don't let this deter you. There is a concise but in-depth tutorial helping you through the basics and the 'easy' setting should see you winning races and building confidence.There is also a new 'car stability' feature, which adds to the realism of the game. When set to 'off',you need to be perfect and precise when applying the throttle, otherwise the car will spin. When set to 'strong', your car will spin very little but beware, it is possible.I also think that the graphics are superb, and the timing-graphics (the on-screen display) is much improved. For the first time since 2000, the graphics on the game match those shown in real-life on TV.Also, the computer cars will overtake and even spin you! This was normally the most unrealistic feature before, because your car seemed to be invincible in terms of being passed. Have no fear though, this seldom happens in easy mode, but it happens frequently when your tyres are wearing heavily in hard mode.However, I will not lie, there are down-sides to this game. Firstly, career-mode seems to be a chore when starting (well, at least when in medium or hard difficulty settings). It is expected you'll have to start in an STR, MF1 or Super Aguri, but even if you ace the tests, you are still only a test-driver.This game will make your thumbs sore, you do need to press down very hard for the throttle to be 100%. The commentary from James Allen is dismal, quite possibly the worst thing on the game. It is constantly incorrect. In qualifying, Allen will consistently say that you are fastest, when in reality, you're going to end up somewhere like 18th. There seems to be less of Martin Brundle's commentary on the game, which is unfortunate. Users of F1 97 On PSOne will remember how Brundle used to talk about the aspects of a car during a race.This game is very exciting in multi-player mode. It is highly entertaining, much more so than the old game. I only wish they kept the replay option available when racing 2-player mode, you can never see a replay of how you spun your mate, or how the two of you conspired to pass the leader, for example.Overall, the game is superb (bar Allen's woeful commentary), and even more fun in multiplayer mode. It will take some time to master the hardest difficulty, which hard-core aficianados will enjoy over the summer - and probably until F1 07 comes out.In the meantime, enjoy the game. It's certainly worth the buy.

4.11.2006

This is my first ever contribution to an online forum. I felt compelled to share the superlative experience that is F1 '06!!! There is no other driving game I have played that gives you the same sense of speed, the same feeling of driving on the edge or the same intelligence in the AI of the other drivers. They constantly challenge and threaten your position and cannot be just bunted out of the way. You feel all this especially when you use the cockpit perspective in Medium or Hard mode.It is true that the time penalty system in Career mode can be annoying. I suggest however building up to the Career mode by first doing the Quick Races and Championship Weekends and the Single Season.

29.7.2006

While the game is generally an improvement over F1 05, there are some areas it really needs more work.Such as the AI, while they tweaked it so that the AI is more responsive to you and make errors, I find the AI tends to crash into you too much. One serious problem is the exiting of pitlanes, the AI is on a set track and will not deviate from it where as the human player has to slow down/break on some exits such as the long Monaco exit the problem being the AI tries to drive through you like you aren't there. I find I often have to just dive out of the pit lane exit and take the 1-2second penalty to avoid a collision. Hardly an improvement.All in all the racing is good,

21.10.2006

This game could be much improved. For example where is the cheif engineer career mode. The testing of the cars has improved but i want in depth tests in between grand prix where you stay at the track for 3 days and do hundreds of timed laps like they do in real. The game could do with being slightly more realistic by making the cars not go unneccisarly slow around corners for example at interlagos the cars are quick around the lap instead of one corner where they carwl round at about 30mph. I gain about second on the computer and gain pole easily when with the fron running cars. They could have made the game slightly harder also because even on hard i am about a second a lap faster than the

8.11.2007

F1 2006 is by far the most polished F1 game I have ever played, the competitive racing is much closer (although as you master each track and get promoted to faster cars, it becomes far too easy again), the graphics are much better, and the damage is a lot more realistic. However, irritants such as rear wing damage automatically retiring your car, no options in the pits (I dont always want to change my front wing just because it is a bit wobbly!) and lack of savable set ups means it is not quite perfect.As you progress through the season mode you find that the most fun is to be had in the super aguri/toro rosso teams, where the poor top speed and acceleration makes winning a race supremely challenging.The AI puts up a bit of a fight,

17.2.2007

I'm a big F1 fan and have been frustrated by the lack of decent games in recent years. I've tried plenty on all different formats yet for me nothing had beaten F1 97 for the Playstation, now a 10 year old game! That was until I picked up a copy of this however. I really wasn't expecting much and just bought it because of the low price but I'm so glad I gave it a chance. The sensation of speed is incredible, I've never played anything quite like it, as you get to the top speeds the screen vibrates and blurs, at first it can be somewhat distracting but as you get used to playing the game it just becomes natural, you really feel as if one small mistake could end in a major accident.The beauty of this game is the realistic racing,

31.7.2006

Compared to prervious outings, hard mode is actually quite hard, which is good. In career mode, in hard, the transition from test driver to race driver is a long-drawn out process with difficult test sessions that vary from tyre compound tests to a head-to-head timed battles against the teams second driver. The car handling is much different from 05, and many corners which could be done flat last year would now find you in the barrier if you try the same thing, also the kerbs have been raised; you can no longer fly across the start-finish at Magny-Cours because of the realistic kerbs. Other things like the brakes for example are very different and locking is a lot easier now.

2.10.2006

I have bought the the last two F1 games (04 and 05) in their respective years. Last year was a huge let down. Especilly on the damage and graphics side. This year however, the damage is much better and very realistic i.e. when you hit a barrier, your wing will break whereas it was a challenge to damage your car at all last year. The steering is less OTT and is more realastic. The thing that annoys me the most is the penalty system. Let me explain, in the real world if someone cuts a corner and overtake someone, they have to let them back past or get a drive through penalty, in the game the computer slows your car down and waves a flag at you for about 10 seconds. That really is annoying.

21.8.2006

First of all I have to say great game I generally fingd that driving games for me don't usually work on the Playstation because of my disability As when I play Formula 1 games generally I usually end up hitting the barrier before I even complete my first lap. Without the so called driving aids F1 cars are impossible to control (and I find this frustrating as I like to at least have a shot at scoring points and winning races) on most games so in future Sony it may be a good idea to include them in future releases.I had been looking to buy a more modern f1 game (as I wanted one with the new rules and points system because my old game for the PC has the old 12 lap qualifying system and 6 points positions whereas now there are 8.)

29.7.2006

first of all i would like to say how much f1 06 has improved on f1 05. on the hard setting, i struggle to get in the points let alone the podium and in qualifying, i stuggle to get to the second session.the damage is fantastic, the AI is fantastic, the tracks look fantastic and the new V8 sound is phenominal.two problems though.the track graphics look amazing but the car and helmet graphics look very poor.and the handling is very different to f1 05 and takes you a while to get used to.i recomend this game to people who have never played a f1 game before because of the driving aids such as stability control, which helps you to stop spinning off the rummble strips.

28.7.2006

Have just been playing F106 and I have to say I am very impressed. I thought F1 05 was a decent game(certainly the best so far in the series) but trust me F106 will blow you away. I am a hardcore F1 fan and take my F1 gaming very seriously. It has everything you would expect including the great new qualifying format, which works really well, for example if you mess up in one of the fifteen minute sessions you still have time to get back out there and try again, so much better than single lap qualifying.I can't give you much other detail right now as I only have the game a couple of hours, all I can say it that it just "feels" right.If you are an F1 fan and enjoyed F1 05 it is time to raid the

8.8.2006

The game overall is very good. The car behaves very realisticly but there are still quite some issues.First of all, the cars can be designed much better eg, Ferrari's rear wing plate should be white and not red. Same with the tyres. They can look much better and realistic.2. On the settings of the car, the bar is red and once it goes over the black numbers you cant see your setting. The guys there should think to turn the numbers white once the red bar went over them.Other than that, i liked the fact that the car can get damaged very easily which is quite realistic.To conclude, the game is MUCH better than the 05 but there are still some issues (the ones mentioned above eg)

1.8.2006

i think that thegame is great although where is the cheif engineer career mode. all i get is the f1 05 career mode but touched up a little. the graphics on the midland car is great but all the others are not a great improvment. the monaco track has been brought to life and changed to look more like the real thing. the game does not take that long to get used to. i won a race on hard mode within five races and i am 4 in the championship in an str, just promoted to first driver!!!!! the handling is not as good as f1 05 as you cannot through the car around as much but tis i think is more realistic. the kerbs have been beaffed up and if you take the wrong line you spin off and ruin your lap.

14.8.2006

I wondered how different this game would be to F1 05 and although there is not a major difference in the graphics, which are very good in both games, there is a difference in the handling. F1 06 has much more realistic handling than 05, which means that it is not so easy to barge your way past the other cars and they race you. Schumacher has already bashed me off once. Also there is now a career mode and new classic F1 cars to unlock. Nice to see the time difference onscreen just like the real thing. All in all a good update, although drivers are already changing teams again or leaving altogether !

Formula 1 2006 (PS2) - Reviews

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