Ferrari Challenge Hands-on Preview

System 3 has its work cut out with the upcoming PS3 version of Ferrari Challenge. Going for the full-on simulation approach instantly puts it head to head with Sony’s Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, released in Europe a few months back to huge sales. Publisher System 3 needn’t fret too much, though, as sim fans should find plenty to rev their engines in this feature rich PS3 racer.

We got our hands on with a near final build of the game and it seems that for this audience Ferrari Challenge will be well worth a look. Core to the game is the Challenge Mode, which is based on the official tournament of the same name. This is split into three territories (Italy, Europe and North America), with seven races in each. It’s pretty typical motor racing structure, with qualifying and then a main race, with points awarded for your position at the end.

Being a full-on simulation, you have a number of car customisation options at your disposal. Ride height, camber and toe can all be fully tweaked using a slider, while springs, dampers and anti-roll bars can be set to hard or soft. No one in the VideoGamer.com office has ever driven a Ferrari, so we can’t say for sure if the driving model is accurate, but changes made to these car settings do have an effect on handling.

As well as being the core game mode that will take up most of your time with the game, playing through the Challenge mode will give you access to Legendary GT and classic production Ferraris, which should please hardcore fans wanting to experience as many different models as possible. This collecting them all feel is helped by the inclusion of the show room, which allows you to view your collection and modify decals. From our short time with the editing tools it seems as though arty types should be able to design some rather fancy paintwork.

As well as the Challenge mode you’ll be able to choose from Quick Race, Arcade, Time Trial, Tutorial and Trophy modes. Arcade is split into Beginner, Intermediate, Expert and Legend, with four tracks per difficulty and progress through each determined by whether you finish on the podium or not. Currently the handling in this mode feels exactly as it does in the Challenge mode, which is about as far from Arcade as a racing game can be. Don’t think that you’ll be able to powerslide at speed just because of the game mode.

The Tutorial mode will definitely be worth taking a look at as Ferrari Challenge isn’t a game you can easily get into. With a driving model that seems as strict as Gran Turismo you’ll need all the advice you can get. Thankfully ex Top Gear man Tiff Needell is on hand to walk you through the basics of driving a Ferrari at high speeds. Rounding off the game modes is the rather odd Top Trumps-style Challenge Cards mode, which simply sees you trying to beat the computer by picking a stat from your deck of cards. It’s certainly an odd inclusion, but new cards are unlocked as you play through the other game modes, and Ferrari fanatics will likely appreciate the collection of car stats.

PS3 gamers will also be able to compete in online multiplayer races where up to 16 players will be able to battle for glory. We couldn’t test this out in our time with the preview build, but given the disappointing online implementation in GT5: Prologue a well implemented multiplayer race mode could prove a strong selling point for Ferrari Challenge.

Visually Ferrari Challenge certainly looks next-gen. Car models are decent, damage modelling is included to a small degree and the game runs at a decent pace – hopefully the small amount if slow down will be sorted out before the game hits stores. The inclusion of wet racing is also good to see, and the audio is polished enough to take into account things like gravel on tyres and the sound from inside and outside your car.

Ferrari Challenge will be released on PlayStation 3, Wii, PS2 and DS, but it’s the PS3 game that will be looked at with the strongest critical eyes. Arcade racers might find the handling a little too tough to handle, but gamers who have grown tired of GT5: Prologue’s limited content may well lap up what System 3’s game has to offer.