Formula One racing is one of those sports which have its own core fan base around the world where they will go to great lengths to follow and enjoy one of their favorite high-octane pastimes.  The thing though is that with that fan base, it becomes increasingly difficult to create a video game because they demand a great deal of realism in the sport similar to the likes of the Gran Turismo series.  Formula One is all about high speeds, hairpin turns, and lightning fast reflexes to make quick decisions and come out on top.  That is exactly what SCE Studios Liverpool attempted here with Formula One Championship Edition on the PlayStation 3.

It is rather difficult to create a game that appeals not only to the hardcore fans but also to the fans out there who may be interested in the game, but do not know a great deal about the actual sport of F1 racing.  Thankfully though, SCE Studios Liverpool has managed to strike a balance and certainly please the diehard fans while keeping the game accessible to the masses, more on that later….

One of the main aspects of Formula One Championship Edition is the visuals of the game which are bar none some of the most impressive next-generation visuals we have seen to date, especially on a racer.  The game has an amazing sense of speed and truly puts you behind the wheel of an F1 car going at blistering speeds and feeling out the course as you try to maneuver for that first place finish.  The tracks themselves have been modeled from actual F1 tracks around the world and look absolutely fantastic.  The texture work done on the roads, cars, etc. is all top notch and even though it may not push what the PlayStation 3 is capable of, it certainly does show off the power of the console to an extent.

The only complaints which could be put forth with the visuals in Formula One are that the scenery is not as detailed as it could have been.  Granted with the F1 official tracks and keeping up with the authenticity of it all, what the developer Liverpool was able to do was limited.  They did do a fine job though with what was there, albeit though with a little less detail compared to what you actually see whizzing around.

The effects here are top notch as you will be blazing along at a constant and steady framerate whipping around turns when all of the sudden two cars ahead of you collide.  This could result in a spark, a little bang, and a few tires and cars going flying over your head without a hitch in the action.  It is these instances which will truly amaze you if you get into the experience enough.