Game Review: F1 2010

Photo / Supplied

When I was growing up I was sure I'd end up playing bass in a hard rock band or becoming a Formula One racing driver. Sadly F1 2010 is as close as I'll get to either. It's the first official F1 game in years and the wait has been worth it.

Plug your game console into an HD television and the result is stunning. Sit on the floor 3m from the telly (my method) and the sense of speed is awesome. You can almost see into the eyes of the raving Tifosi at Monza or catch a glimpse of blacked-up Lewis Hamilton haters in Barcelona as you streak past.

The driving experience is challenging but not impossible, making for an enjoyable time behind the wheel. My virtual mechanic has a broad northern English accent just like Felipe Massa's race engineer, so I leave car set-up to him and it handles like a dream. Codemasters has been keen to make F1 2010 much more than just going round in circles. The game is a total immersion into the life of an F1 driver. In career mode you quickly meet your attractive female agent, who purrs in an indeterminable European accent while lounging in your motorhome.

As I'm new to F1, my agent can only arrange a drive with the lowly Lotus team. The key to climbing the grid is improving my reputation by delivering results on track and dealing with media pressure off it. Sadly these brushes with Johnny Press are inane in the extreme. While James Hunt used to tell reporters his key to success was "giving it arseholes" this game rewards answers like "I hope the team and I can do well".

Frustratingly F1 2010 is a stickler for the rules. Touch another car, even lightly, and you'll spin instantly, earn a penalty, or both. Pit at the same time as other cars and your over-cautious lollipop man will ensure you emerge last every time.

The career progression can also be bizarre. After leaving Lotus, I won the championship for Mercedes in my second season yet the team still dumped me. Fortunately I was picked up by McLaren in place of Button. Let's hope his lady friend decides to stick around.

Format: PlayStation 3