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Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Review for PlayStation 3

Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Review for PlayStation 3

Why So Serious?

You may be familiar with the phrase “reality bites,” and, depending on your interpretation, that may or may not be true. In relation to a sim, one would think that the more realistic a game is, the better, but that’s not always the case. Some sims can be so demanding and unforgiving that they are void of any fun; these games should be relegated to military training exercises.

Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli  screenshot

Video games have to straddle the line between being challenging and fun. Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli does maintain a decent balance, but it often errs on the side of challenge, begging the question, “Why so serious?” Ferrari Challenge has been meticulously crafted, from the gleaming photo-realistic vehicles, which look even better than in real life, to the overly-sensitive controls. The fine line between tension and release is crossed continually, resulting in a certain gameplay inconsistency on any of the difficulty settings / options. There is no doubt this is one of the finest racing games to be presented on the PS3 thus far, but there’s not really a lot of competition, so it’s the winner by default.

You had better love Ferraris because that’s all you’re going to be driving in this game. I know that devotees of the Italian masterpieces will ask, “What’s wrong with that?” But, in the long run, the lack of variety will test anyone’s brand loyalty. The vehicles must be unlocked in a time-consuming challenge mode where you can spend tens of hours with the same vehicle. The F430 Challenge mode allows you to acquire more than 50 different models spanning the company’s history from its not-so-humble beginning to present day. Credits earned for successful racing will allow you to purchase these vehicles as well as upgrades such as shocks, alignment, anti-roll bars, and ride height. However, these are more adjustments than upgrades. The vehicles remain as stock as possible; you can’t start swapping engines. I suppose Ferrari considers each of their vehicles to be perfection personified, so there are very few options available. After all, you can’t change the hair color of the Mona Lisa now can you?

Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli  screenshot

To appeal to a wide audience, there are driving aids and a tutorial that will ease novices into the game. Helpful hints are dished out by Tiff Needell, and there’s a test track to iron out the bugs on. The track consists of a variety of twists and turns that you’ll encounter in the real-world tracks available in the other modes. At the end of your run, you’ll be given a breakdown of your performance by Needell who will coach you in some of the finer points of driving these magnificent machines.

The driving aids will assist you with braking and handling, including traction and stability. With all of the aids engaged, the game can be quite forgiving. Turn them off and you’re at the mercy of the control system, which is quite demanding. It’s very easy to lose control of the vehicle by braking too late, and you’ll be penalized harshly for leaving the track, which can sometimes be the difference between winning and last place. In order to smoothly negotiate a turn, one must brake at a considerable distance in order to control the inertia and keep it from forcing you off the road. These vehicles are literally not to be taken lightly. They have considerable weight and speed which must be taken into account. This will eventually be done by feel, but it’s not something that you’re going to get used to in a few minutes. It does take a lot of practice. Learning to accelerate at the apex of a curve is another technique you’ll have to master. This will give you the speed you need to tackle the straightway ahead of you, but you’ve got to be careful not to accelerate too soon or too heavily, as you could easily lose control in the turn.

Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli  screenshot

Another challenge, one that I’m sure is unintentional, is the unpredictable A.I. In the single-player mode, you’ll be constantly at the mercy of the bot cars that have no regard for their, or anyone else’s, safety, not to mention these precious and expensive vehicles. The A.I. will stick to predetermined paths while pushing, bumping, and sideswiping other vehicles that could otherwise be easily passed or are attempting to pass. At times, they do drive responsibly and simulate actual drivers, but there is no training that can help you compensate for their unpredictable nature.

The multiplayer components are sure to deliver a more authentic racing experience, depending on the skills of the other drivers. Up to 16 players can be accommodated online. I was unable at the time of this review to find more than five other players online, but hopefully that will change. There aren’t a lot of options available online, but technically it was sound. The framerate was smooth and there was no latency with the controls. The lack of a leaderboard, championship mode, and split-screen is going to limit the long-term replay value, but hardcores that can continually round up a full 16-player competition will think they’ve died and gone to heaven.

Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli  screenshot

As to be expected, the vehicles don’t ever become heaps of twisted wreckage. Regardless of how hard you hit the wall, the vehicles will display little more than a crumpled fender. Ferrari doesn’t want their vehicles to look bad under any circumstance. This is not from lack of ability by the developers, who do an amazing job of making the cars looks, well…amazing. They are almost over-the-top with nary a sunbeam reflection out of place with rich, deep, high gloss paint that looks positively liquid. The environments are good but not as excruciatingly detailed as the vehicles. There are 16 tracks located throughout Europe and the U.S. Although I couldn’t tell if every track is identical to the ones they are intended to replicate, I have been informed that they are exact replicas, though the names of some have been changed due to copyright and licensing issues.

Everything looks better in the rain. The cars and tracks positively glisten with bright colors and light reflections. However, the weather effects are more than cosmetic. Driving in the rain will present you with more of a challenge, putting your skills to the test as you compensate for the slick track. It’s like learning to drive all over again. It’s incredibly frustrating at first, but with a few more weeks of practice under my belt I’m sure I would welcome the added challenge.

Ferrari Challenge is an accessible racer. It will lead beginners by the hand and allow them to take the training wheels off when they are comfortable. Racing enthusiasts with a penchant for expensive cars will drool over this offering. The lack of good racers on the PS3 puts this one on the top shelf for the time being, so you might want to grab it while it’s hot.

RATING OUT OF 5 RATING DESCRIPTION 4.0 Graphics
Great looking vehicles, but the tracks lack that extra next-gen polish. 4.2 Control
Simple controls and responsive steering, but sometimes they’re overly sensitive. 3.1 Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Engine sounds are weak. Music is average. 4.2 Play Value
Can be quite demanding and challenging when the training wheels are off. 4.1 Overall Rating – Great
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

  • Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli’s racing style is fast and accessible, yet the feel is more “sim” than arcade.
  • It includes over 15 international racing circuits along with multiple gameplay modes such as Ferrari Challenge Seasons, Time Trial, Quick Race, and Endurance.
  • Racing can be taken online with up to 16 players in a variety of challenges including circuits, hill climbs, and more.
  • Downloadable content will be continually released for the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli community, and the official team and car rosters can be updated at the start of each season to reflect real-world lineups.
  • Downloadable cars, tracks, and customization options will be made available on a monthly basis to keep ravenous Ferrari fans satisfied.

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