Sega
Force Vault
Reviewed
07.19.1998
Publisher
Sega
Developer
Sega
Sports
Format
1x
CD
Origin
Import
/ Domestic
Available
04.23.1994
(Japan)
1994
(USA/EUR)
Exclusive
Yes
Difficulty
Normal
Dimensions
3D
View
1st
Person
Genre
Racing
/ Sim
Player(s)
1
Options
6
Button
Backup
23
CD
Key
Pro
CDX
RAM
Cart
Requires
n/a
Importable
75% |
| Intro |
|
> 'Formula One World Championship: Beyond the Limit' (F1WC) exemplifies
the joy of owning a Sega CD. In Japan the title included a "1993",
which corresponds to the F1 racing season this game is based on, and was
subtitled 'Heavenly Symphony'. It takes advantage of the Sega CD's
ability to scale, rotate and play FMV (courtesy of Fuji TV), although its
racing is not quite as smooth as Batman
Returns CD. This is the best 16-bit racing simulation I've played,
even better than Super Monaco GP (Genesis). Prepare to race on real
teams, tracks and cars, thanks to the F1 license.
> As with all Mega CD games, you'll need a CD Key or Pro CDX to play Heavenly
Symphony on your American Sega CD or CDX. Even so, many of the options
during gameplay are in Japanese, as are most of the voice effects.
Bottom line though, you can still play the import game without too much
trouble. |
| Graphics |
|
> F1WC is basically 3D, although it's generated by using scaling and rotating
sprites on screen. The tracks are not only based on the real F1 schedule
of locales, but they feature buildings, animals, grandstands, hills, tunnels,
etc. The track moves by at a decent pace, but it's not as smooth
as Batman Returns. This game features graded courses as well (no
flat mode 7 stuff here), based on real topography. Add in the real
video clips from Fuji TV and you have a nice package which is unrivaled
in 16-bit. |
| Control |
|
> The control takes some getting used to because of the frame rate, but
don't forget that tweaking your car can have a huge effect on the way it
performs. At any rate, once you're good enough to qualify for any
team, then you know you've mastered the control.
> Obviously, your main objectives are to win races and ultimately the points
championship of the 1993 F1 season. The one thing that is weird and
frustrating would be the difficulty involved in getting around outer barriers
and back on to the track. |
| Sound |
|
> The music is great and features guitar rocking rhythms to keep you going.
F1WC's menu jingles are somewhat catchy and certainly adequate enough.
The sound effects are great and include redlining engines (done very well),
crashes, voice and skidding. |
| Fun |
|
> You get 13 real racing teams, 16 real tracks and 1 fictional track. Choose
from Grand Prix, 1993 and Free Run modes. There's lots to do as you
qualify, change car settings, adjust weather conditions and make pit stops
during races. Trust me, you will need to memorize these tracks before
you can hope to become champion. Excellent fun. |
| Bottom Line |
|
> F1WC isn't perfect, but it's surely a technical achievement which is
unmatched in 16-bit gaming. This game is known as "Heavenly Symphony"
on the Mega CD and that's exactly what this game is -- the best combination
of simulation, graphics, control and replayability of any 16-bit racer! |
| Ratings |
| Overall:
9.1 | Graphics: 9.0 | Control: 8.0 | Sound: 9.5 | Fun: 10 |
~
Shinobi ~
| Screenshots |
|
|
|
