Over the years, the F1 video game series has won the honors of critics and the wide audience of gamers. Players are free to approach the title in a competitive or purely playful context. In fact, it is no mystery that F1 2020 last year and even before have become reference titles for all motorsport enthusiasts. This is thanks to a decidedly consolidated formula characterized by a driving model with a realistic but modular approach. Codemasters enriched F1 2021 with new interesting modes and expanded with many features. Take note that there was also a necessary update of teams, drivers, circuits, and regulations in parallel with the world championship. Here is my F1 2021 review on PC.
DESIRE FOR VICTORY
The roster of modalities that the F1 series can boast seemed to have reached its peak with introducing “My Team” in F1 2020. This is the managerial career that involves the management of an eleventh team registered in the F1 world championship. However, probably following the acquisition of Codemasters by EA Sports, this year you can enjoy a real single player mode through which to live a story with a script already written.
This is like FIFA’s “The Journey”. Braking Point will allow you to immerse yourself in paddock life with a focus on rivalry. At the level of pure gameplay, you will face clips or complete races seasoned with challenges to create a clear path and desire for victory. This is all embellished by the graphic improvements and some depth to the story.
Yes, the plot is fun for a few hours of play, but not particularly inspired and original. However, given the appreciation found, I expect that in the next few years, it will enjoy greater care in the writing phase. Another novelty included in F1 2021 is the much-requested Cooperative Career. Here you can face the challenges of the World Championship in head-to-head races with a friend.
They completed the offer with My Team mode, updated to increase the difficulty curve in order to improve the car of your team. There is also the classic career mode where you go from little more than a promise to an absolute champion. I recommend going gradually with each mode if you want to experience the full challenge.
INTENSIFY THE IMMERSION
The powerful push that the gaming world has received because of the pandemic has inevitably also involved the world of motorsport. Seeing champions like Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris grappling with simulators and the official F1 video game has convinced even the most skeptical to play the game. F1 2021 raises the bar even higher, proposing improvements to its gameplay with a deeply hybrid nature.
From the first meters traveled on the single-seaters, the changes made in terms of physics and feeling are clear with the surrounding environment. You will find yourself with a greater characterization of the road surface. Combined with better physics, it will make every movement of the vehicles unpredictable and intensify the immersion.
Codemasters and EA Sports’ F1 2021 can give emotions and driving precision with a pad or keyboard as a control device. This is possible thanks to a complete modularity in the settings regarding the desired degree of simulation. However, the possibility of varying the mixture used in real time is a no-no!
EVERY LITTLE DETAIL
Codemasters has also tweaked the Artificial intelligence. This time it is more aggressive and respectful of the rules than in the past. But it is still limited in the interaction between cars not controlled by actual players. In this regard, I spent several minutes of testing and watching the replays of the races.
In some situations, I found myself faced with cars that seemed more likely to seek contact than to avoid it. All of this is most likely due to preset trajectories that still don’t tend to fit well for handling multiple CPU-controlled vehicles. The developers also revisited and improved damage management.
This is now even better in terms of gameplay thanks to the possibility of damaging various sections of the cars, requiring greater attention to driving. In the past, it was possible to damage only the front wing. However, in F1 2021, you will have to pay attention to every little detail. Please do not cut corners with excessively high curbs. You will damage the bottom of your car!
DEFINED AND DETAILED
F1 2021 is a video game that does not hide its cross-gen soul but at the same time treasures some next-gen implementations. On a graphic level, the most clear improvement concerns the resolution of the textures. The textures are now more defined and detailed. Take note that this also includes the surrounding elements.
Besides a very high visual quality, there is incredible optimization available. This allows me to reach well over 60 fps in 2K at Ultra on a mid-range card such as the RTX 3060. You can also activate ray tracing, which will provide you with even more detailed reflections at the expense of a few lost frames. Everything is exquisite to see in any weather or lighting conditions.
We are not yet at perfection, especially with minor details in the margin of the visual field. However, Codemasters’ F1 2021 allows you to breathe a hint of photorealism that I hope to see in the future. The excellent audio samples make up a sound sector absolutely on par with the real counterpart of the sounds of the engine and vehicles.
Let’s not forget about the commentary. Absolute class! The game is complete with both the roster of drivers and tracks. Take note that there is a free DLC coming later this year that will add the circuits of Imola, Portimao, and Jeddah. They were absent at launch.
Do you want to try Codemasters and EA Sports’ F1 2021? What do you think of my F1 2021 review on PC? Please leave your thoughts in the comments below. Are you interested in more games? Check out our reviews for Castle Flipper, Miitopia, Hood: Outlaws & Legends, Maid of Sker, Returnal, Oddworld: Soulstorm, Lost Words: Beyond the Page, and Demon Skin.
