Ok, looks like I've got a bit more to say about Formula One, a game I've felt has been unfairly maligned amongst the mainstream gaming press.
Couldn't agree with you more! I am realllllly hoping PD pays close attention to many of the features in this game and incorporates them into GT5 - especially the realistic crash damage, mechanical failures from excessively hard driving, pit commands, and online play. 👍👍
For sure, I forgot about mentioning the wheels busting off and bouncing around (although you can annoyingly only ever bust off one of them - too many potential physics bounce/collision calculations to do otherwise? Surely not!).. Anyway the gameplay device of the wheels breaking off and ending your race is the best feature they could have added... in that it makes you realise how unrealistic the
racing is in the GT games... You have to respect your fellow racers and not just plough into their rear ends or the walls. This really made a huge change (for the better!) to how I approach racing in a pack, adding a tension that hasn't been there, and inspired a really satisfying gritty determination in me the GT series has never even approached capturing. In a way persevering through adversity and danger, whilst STILL pushing the car to the limit, forcing through gaps, finding overtaking spots where you really
shouldn't pass etc, it actually makes one feel (and here's the embarassing part)
manly while playing... Yes, playing a video game and saying this is slightly ironic. Sad I know, but the feeling IS invigorating and adrenalising in a way that makes you feel like you've got balls of steel, which is, well, aggreeable. Coupled with the fair AI - its always YOUR fault for breaking the car (the AI seems predictable and non-suicidal), plus some inherently close and challenging racing due to all the cars being, well, NEARLY the same, the developer should be applauded for putting out a fun, yet pure and balanced racing game. The fact that it isn't a perfect sim, and is somewhat arcadey doesn't faze me at all, because I knew this going in.
I feel the reviewers that have found the game dull either straight up don't like F1 (and thus shouldn't be reviewing the game - as they wouldn't be a potential buyer anyway - see my soccer game analogy below*) or they haven't put the necessary effort in to enjoy the tension and reward the game can give... F1 is definately a game that rewards you more the better you get at it, sort of like WipEout 2097 in a way, it has the same uncompromising learning curve and doesn't apologise for the challenge it sticks right in your face. Luckily, I love the brutal finality of a wheel popping off on the last lap... because I know its my own fault. We all know (perhaps subconsciously, but likely not consciously) the best games NEED an element of frustration, of (next-gen wireless) controller throwing madness, otherwise the eventual highs aren't as high as they could be.
Regarding the lack of rumble, I didn't really notice it because I'm SO used to it I don't feel it anymore. There may as well have been rumble and I still wouldn't realise it was there or not. The wonderful blur effect and the sense of speed, the super sexy graphics and sound (I love that they got Murray Walker out of retirement to commentate - adds a LOT to the atmosphere) are more than enough to get me into an adequately 'zen' like mood while playing... No problems with a lack of Immersion (hahaha...) here!
Formula One: Championship Edition is a refreshingly uncompromising, yet fun racing game and I don't think it should be expected to be anything else. For instance, I don't like *soccer games really, but I'd never write a review panning or giving a stupidly low score to the latest Pro Evo Soccer - because people who are fans of the sport would tell me off and rightly so. I think a lot of reviewers are just too jaded and full of themselves for their own good. F1 is easily the best Formula 1 game made to date - this is truly great for F1 fans - the people the game is made for. Just because there have been MANY football games made, this shouldn't automatically reduce the score for any potentially top quality football game, and the same should be true for any sport. Yes, F1:CE could be considered as somewhat of a niche title, in that it will primarily appeal to those who already appreciate the sport, but this isn't a negative in any way. To me its just... focused. This isn't a bad thing in these days where most titles are trying to be as mainstream and accessible as possible, to the point where they're too easy, too patronising and ultimately don't leave you satisfied as a gamer.
Now here's a final thought - perhaps the majority of modern game reviewers just aren't
manly enough to enjoy a title like F1 these days. You certainly don't need a silly macho chin like Mark Webber, but you do need balls of steel. Or just a tenacious, oldschool gamer constitution.
Actually, you probably won't see me at the GTHD rankings, since they only show the top 10 times 
... I've added my PSN tag to my profile 
