If I can perform really well at a Formula 1 game, there’s probably something wrong with it. These games are all about tuning, precise cornering and tactics. While assists to allow for easier driving are great ways to make the game accessible, the tactics that work well in this are more suited to other racing games, as I found myself crashing into opponents and walls to push me in the right direction, with no negative impact on myself.
Progression is always a tricky thing to do in a racing game, you want to keep some stuff locked away to encourage playing more, but locking too much away can also be an issue. This is something F1 2002 is very guilty of – you can’t even do a grand prix from the get-go. To unlock the various components of the game, you need to complete tutorial challenges. Completing the basic ones unlocks the grand prix options, but loads of features are still locked away.
Things like being able to make choices at the pit, tuning and even the weather are all disabled until you play through more tedious missions, some of which are extremely tough – more so than the races – and annoying to play through, especially with the game’s incredibly long loading times. This wouldn’t be a big issue if you’re the kind of person who likes playing 20+ lap races, but for 30 second challenges, it’s pretty bad.
F1 2002 is a rather drab Formula 1 game that has rather poor gameplay and doesn’t let you access basic features until you beat its gruelling challenges. I don’t think this appeals to either the fans that want a serious simulation or those that want an accessible way to experience a sport they like.