Sega
Force Vault
Reviewed
07.19.1998
Publisher
Sega
Developer
Sega
Sports
Format
1x
CD
Origin
Import
/ Domestic
Available
1994
(Japan)
1994
(USA)
Exclusive
Yes
Difficulty
Normal
Dimensions
3D
View
1st
Person
Genre
Racer
/ 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 fast 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 engines, 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 as you qualify, change car settings,
adjust weather conditions and make pit stops during gameplay. You will
need to memorize these tracks before you can hope to become champion.
Excellent fun. |
| Bottom
Line |
|
> F1WC 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:
9.5 | Graphics: 9.5 | Control: 8.8 | Sound: 9.7 | Fun: 10 |
~
Shinobi ~
|
