Lewis Hamilton’s win at the 2021 British Grand Prix may have inspired you to want some Formula 1 action in your own home.
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F1 2021 video game review
Helpfully, the new video game F1 2021 has just been released. As the official game of the Formula 1 World Championship, F1 2021 is set to accurately reflect the action on the track.
We’ve done the hard work of testing the latest racing game to see if it deserves pole position on your console.
Exceeding the route limits
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F1 2021 video game review
Think Codemasters, the creators of F1 2021. Coronavirus has devastated the Formula 1 calendar in 2021, making it harder to create a racing game that accurately replicates the championship.
Missing tracks are added by downloadable content, meaning players won’t miss Jeddah, Portimao and Imola. Other routes such as Melbourne, Catalunya and Abu Dhabi are presented in their 2020 form rather than their updated 2021 layouts.
At least every team and every driver who started the 2021 season is present and correct, with their performance values already a topic of conversation.
Approaching the braking point
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F1 2021 video game review
Like many leading sports games, F1 2021 features a dramatic story mode branded “Braking Point”. Described as ‘epic racing, off-track drama and breathtaking cutscenes’, it follows the opposing fates of fictional drivers.
A lot of effort has gone into Braking Point, right down to replicating real-world social media accounts. Starting with the FIA Formula 2 Championship, it extends over several seasons.
The story itself will feel fanciful to Formula 1 regulars, conjuring up the kind of drama that the producers of the Netflix series Drive to Survive could only dream of.
Driving to Survive?
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F1 2021 video game review
Braking Point may not be the game changer Codemasters was hoping for, but it still serves a purpose. For those new to F1 games, it can be an effective tutorial introducing key concepts in a structured way.
The division into bite-sized chapters makes it easy to play without spending an entire season.
Once completed, there is little replay incentive, not least given the multitude of additional career modes to experiment with.
My team, my rules
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F1 2021 video game review
One of the standout features of last year’s F1 2020 game is the My Team format. If you have always dreamed of creating your own Formula 1 team and starring as its leading driver, this is the game mode for you.
Pick a name, a paint job, even your team’s style of overalls and fight for fame. Sponsorship deals need to be managed, vehicle developments carried out and second drivers selected.
While not an intense management simulator, it does add an extra level of interaction. When you play as the modern day Bruce McLaren it is a real pleasure to fight for a team that has earned points.
Multiple career paths available
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F1 2021 video game review
The other career modes include a single-player season mode that follows exactly the 2021 Formula 1 championship. Players can create their own driver and immerse themselves in a season tailored to their skill level.
There is the option of doing a full race weekend or a condensed package if you are short on time. Race distances, training and qualifying times can be adjusted individually.
Updated tables will reflect the season in real time and allow players to change the course of history.
F1 2021 also includes a novel career option for two players. With the online multiplayer feature, you and a friend can join the same team or compete against each other for an entire season.
Online multiplayer and esports
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F1 2021 video game review
Additional extensive online multiplayer options are available for F1 2021, giving players the opportunity to earn their own super license. Custom car designs and helmets ensure that you stand out from the grid.
Fast but fair competitions against online competitors add to your reputation. Weekly events offer new scenarios and challenges, while custom leagues can be created with friends.
F1 2021 will form the basis for the latest season of the official Formula 1 Esports Series. This gives top players the chance to become part of an official F1 team and take part in a glamorous tournament to be crowned the ultimate champion.
Performance over looks
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F1 2021 video game review
Compared to the photorealism of Gran Turismo or Forza Horizon, the games’ F1 franchise traditionally lags behind in terms of graphic perfection. F1 2021 is no doubt looking better than before, but there is still no doubt that you are watching a video game.
However, lighting effects on an HDR-compatible system are remarkably neat. The glaring light of the floodlights in Bahrain or the sunlight that penetrates the trees in Melbourne are impressive.
Played on a Microsoft Xbox One X, there were no frame rate slowdowns or popup issues. While F1 2021 might not be the prettiest game, it does offer speed on the track.
Only the faces of the drivers are a notable criticism. Some F1 contenders will likely be unimpressed with their virtual likenesses outside of the Braking Point cutscenes.
Dealing with pressure
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F1 2021 video game review
Although it accurately mirrors the Formula 1 World Championship, F1 2021 offers accessible handling. Not intended as a pure simulation, players shouldn’t be intimidated driving a modern F1 car, with multiple assists and driver aids to simplify the experience.
The Casual, Standard and Expert modes offer different levels of difficulty for races. Tougher settings can be a real challenge and will likely result in the ‘flashback’ feature being used to undo collisions and trips over the gravel.
Support for racing bikes and pedals is included so players can customize and calibrate their setups. However, there is no disadvantage to playing with a conventional control pad, so that casual gamers are not disadvantaged.
Under the checkered flag
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F1 2021 video game review
Despite all the innovations and additional functions, F1 2021 can feel less spacious. There were a number of historic cars to drive in previous games, but those are noticeably lacking in this year’s iteration.
Instead, only F1 cars will be available from the 2021 season and F2 cars from 2020.
Codemasters is offering a Deluxe Edition of F1 2021. This brings F1 icons like Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher into My Team mode. The players can then sign her as the second driver, meaning you could become teammates of a legend of the sport.
The Deluxe Edition costs F1 2021 at £ 74.99 ($ 74.99) compared to the standard cost of £ 59.99 ($ 59.99).
F1 2021 is currently available on the Microsoft Xbox One & Xbox Series S / X, Sony PlayStation 4 and 5, and PC.
Conclusion: F1 2021
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F1 2021 video game review
As with many sports video games, the changes are incremental from year to year. F1 2021 is no different, making small tweaks and improvements instead of being a radical redesign.
The graphics are better, the handling is more balanced, and the entire experience feels smooth and professional.
Die-hard Formula 1 fans will likely buy it anyway as they need the latest teams, tracks, and driver reviews. For casual gamers who recently purchased a game from the F1 franchise, there may be less incentive to purchase this year’s edition.
Overall, F1 2021 is fulfilling its mandate to deliver the experience of the Formula 1 World Championship. It is therefore worth taking a grid space in your collection.
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