TD Staff 
Intro
Indian mobile gaming house Jump Games has launched F1 2010 Game. Now what’s that? Well, it is the mobile version of Codemasters’ F1 2010 official racing simulation, meant for iPhone and iPod users. It enjoys compatibility with iPad, as well. So how is the game? Let’s have an analytical look, feature by feature.
Features of the game
Full roaster of teams, drivers, circuits: The iOS variant of the game enjoys the full roaster of teams, drivers and circuits as it was in the 2010 season. It means you can choose from 24 drivers, 12 teams and 19 circuits. The notable drivers to choose from include current champion Sebastian Vettel as well as former ones Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, Michael Schumacher and Jenson Button. You can also have 12 choices while selecting your team, and 19 official tracks/circuits to decide on which track you will have your race. This wide range of choice in terms of drivers, teams and racing tracks is itself a great fun, as it gives you the feeling of getting involved with a real life F1 experience.
A good sound effect: A very captivating feature of the game is the decent sound effect that it offers. The way banshee wail is reproduced is really impressive.
However, the commentary cannot be called that thrilling, with the same being confined to the pit crew announcing the performance results. Some variation in the commentary would have added to the attraction and appeal of the game, making the experience more realistic and thus more fun.
Unimpressive graphics: The graphics quality of the game is far from being impressive. Moreover, it is plagued by factors like low-poly models, low-res textures, aliasing and sparse track detail.
Please note, there is no actual racing: A notable feature of the game is that it does not offer any actual racing opportunity. Why?
Well, F1 2010 Game on your iOS device will come in three game modes – Time Trial, Endurance (average lap time) and Party Play (up to 4 players on the same device).
Time Trial and Endurance modes help you to check and and improve your average time, without actually racing with any competitor.
The Party Play option offers you an opportunity to compete with up to 3 more players on the same device, and get an idea about your ‘racing ability’. And that’s the end of the ‘racing element’. This is certainly a dampener for gamers who are looking for a ‘real racing’ opportunity.
Social elements: An interesting feature of the game lies in its social elements. There are integrated Game Center and Open Feint leader boards, where you can submit your best endurance and lap time. What is more interesting is that you can share your game achievements even on social networks, such as Facebook and Twitter. Apart from being novel, it also helps you give a somewhat ‘real life’ touch to the game.
Poor control facility – A serious draw back of the game is the poor control and handling facility, something that is sure to leave every gamer irritated. Despite the presence of three different control options, you will never be at ease, at least when you are playing the game on your iPad.
In the first control set up you need to steer the car with two thumbs, on each side of your iPad. There will be automatic acceleration (which is constant), and you will in need of a third thumb (which unfortunately you lack) for applying the brake.
In the second control set up you require to use your thumb to manipulate a virtual steering, apart from handling touch controls for throttle and braking. This set up is better in comparison to the first one, but otherwise still unimpressive.
The third option is the tilt steering option, which is based on iPad’s gyroscope. Well, it is only after repeated attempts you will manage to have access to the display, which will help you to counter-tilt the screen and keep the horizon permanently flat. Anyways, this option is still OK.
Over-sensitive motion controls, but they are otherwise OK – The motion controls of the game are over-sensitive. However, they do their job well.
Conclusion
The game might succeed by piggybacking on the popularity of F1 car racing. And it indeed had some appeals. However, factors like the absence of a real racing element and poor control mechanism are serious draw backs.
You may go for it, if you are a genuine gaming enthusiast eager to try your hand in every new arrival. And you will indeed have some good time. But you may get disappointed a bit if you are expecting too much fun, thrill and excitement.
