F1 24latest title of Codemasters and EA, has divided the general public since its release. Despite gross errors and things that objectively need updating, the new iteration of the motorsport game keeps one objective clear: to be accessible to everyone.
In fact, we no longer have a simulator or a sim-cade in our hands, but rather a title that goes in the direction of almost pure arcade. Because the brand of Formula 1 has now become far too popular, and must be played both by experts (who perhaps also own a steering wheel) and by those who just want to immerse themselves in that world with a pad in hand.
In short, the developers have made a very specific choice that will disappoint many, while maintaining a game formula that guarantees fun for everyone.
F1 24 review
Technical sector
Let’s start by analyzing the aspect in which F1 24 it has changed the least: the graphic one. The title of Codemasters it remained very similar to its predecessors, slightly improving some more graphic reflections thanks to the use of ray tracing. In the version we tested (the PC one), we didn’t see many steps forward. There is a greater general cleaning of the environments, cars and tracks, but many of the critical issues seen in the past remain.
The tracks that have been reworked from a graphic point of view make a much better impression (Spa, Jeddah and Silverstone above all), but the gap between new and old is not as clear as one would expect. This now stale realization is the result of a choice that, right now, we can hardly understand. For the umpteenth year it was decided to remain anchored to the old generation of consoles, effectively keeping the technical advancement of the new consoles under control. Microsoft, Sony and the most modern PCs.
F1 24 it still remains an enjoyable and beautiful title to look at, but it is clear that a clear step forward is necessary. L’EGO Engine Of Codemasters shows the signs of time, but perhaps things will change in 2025.
Sound section
Despite Codemasters has worked hard to make the sound of the V6 Turbo from the F1, the task was only partially successful. As far as Power Units Of Ferrari, Red Bull PowerTrains, Mercedes And Renault have rather different sounds from each other, they do not allow you to fully enjoy what the roar of a car really is Formula 1.
When shifting and at maximum revs, the engine has a certainly pleasant but rather robotic and “fake” sound. Being able to transpose all the sonic nuances of a combustion unit is certainly not easy, but more effort would be needed from this point of view. Those who play with headphones will certainly notice what we are talking about, although the sound in general is, all things considered, sufficiently pleasant.
Corrective pre-patch driving physics
We arrive at one of the aspects of the game that has caused the community to discuss the most: the driving model. To analyze this feature, we need to talk about two versions of F1 24: the pre-patch one and the post-patch corrective one. When the game first came out it was totally arcade, almost a nightmare to play at the wheel. Players who were good with the pad could compete very well with the more experienced ones, taking advantage of an overly conductive physics and unreal traction even with all the aids deactivated.
Even the writer managed to record better lap times with the pad than with the steering wheel, improving by 3 seconds on each track compared to F1 23. With the steering wheel and pedals, braking became an endless nightmare, as there wasn’t the right sensitivity when pressing the brake pedal. The block was always mathematically certain. While the steering did not allow a delicate and smooth curve entry, as the car had nervous and uncontrollable reactions. It was necessary to adopt a jerky, wooden steering, which is not very suitable for one Formula 1.
All this didn’t happen with the pad, on the contrary, everything was extremely more enjoyable and simplified without the need for help. Even with the traction control turned off, you could enter and exit corners without difficulty. You could attack the curbs without the car breaking down, despite the work Codemasters has done to make the reactions and movements of the suspensions more realistic and credible. And, believe us, this aspect can also be seen with the naked eye. The suspension arms move with every slight dip, but before the patch they were unable to transmit any sensation via pad or steering wheel.
Corrective post-patch driving physics
After all the (severe and fair) criticism received, the developers of Codemasters they immediately got back to work to try to fix everything as soon as possible. Did they succeed? Yes and no. Many problems have been solved, but others have not. The cars enter curves more smoothly with the steering wheel, they do not remain glued to the asphalt due to too much traction and braking has been made more sensitive and controllable. Despite this, the problem of curbs has remained almost the same.
At the time we are writing to you it is still possible to forcefully attack the curbs, even if you might run into some trouble. In fact, cars tend to break down more willingly than before, although it is still difficult to have significant losses of lap time. Precision work was also done on the management ERS, a weapon that was far too powerful before the corrective patch. In fact, it could be recharged extremely easily, removing all the strategy behind its use in the various moments of a race.
All in all the work of Codemasters is to be promoted, because it really put a stop to some important problems in the space of a few weeks. One fact remains clear though: it’s more fun to play with the pad. As mentioned at the beginning of the review, in fact, F1 24 it must be accessible to all and the direction taken seems quite clear. The cars are really enjoyable pad in hand, and this is why we don’t recommend approaching this title if you’re looking for simulation.
F1 24 it is first and foremost a game (in the true sense of the word) and, as such, differs greatly from simulators. Its job is to entertain and entertain everyone, not to be a constant challenge between man and machine.
AI
Another much criticized aspect of F1 24 it was that of artificial intelligence, which seemed to have taken serious steps backwards compared to the previous chapter. Our opponents, in fact, were free from errors, they drove as if the player didn’t exist and they set themselves in a motionless train that only ended in some scripted moments of the races. Fortunately, however, Codemasters he partially fixed this too.
With the corrective patch, profound improvements have been introduced for theAI, which now has a more credible behavior. Errors and technical failures have multiplied, as have the yellow or red flag incidents caused by them. Even during the overtaking phases it seems that the bots have more awareness of the spaces, and the duels have become more exciting and tougher than before.
Career My Team
The carreer MyTeam has always been a flagship of the various titles of F1 ever since it made its appearance, but has now become a neglected and stale feature. In this F1 24 no changes were made to evolve this aspect of the game, but it was left as it was the previous year with the same bugs.
A totally unacceptable choice, which disappoints the majority of fans who love this game. Grow your team in the world of Formula 1 keeps players glued to the screen more than anything else, including the social aspect and online multiplayer. This is a serious shortcoming, which could drive many historic players away from the game.
Pilot Career
If on the one hand we have a MyTeam left to itself, Codemasters he wanted to work well on an aspect that had not been updated for years: the career with a real driver. In F1 24 you will be able to take on the role of one of the twenty protagonists of the World Championship, becoming part of his world and making it grow victory after victory. Furthermore, the introduction of the radio teams with the real voice of the pilot greatly increases the general immersion and the feeling with your virtual companion. Unfortunately, the sore point remains Alex. Your race engineer will always give you the same phrases that he has carried with him for years now, despite Codemasters has entered objectives to complete in the race and which will be given to you directly by him.
All this is not enough to modernize a track engineer who feels the weight of time and who, for this reason, still shows the usual bugs (like referring to the feminine even if he is talking to a male driver). Also noteworthy is the fact that, apart from the new introductory film, the interlude scenes and the presentation of the tracks have remained the same, told by the voice of the good Carlo Vanzini.
You will be a 100% driver, being able to agree on developments with your teammate, choose a rival and try to become the star of your team over time. Together with you there will also be the new figures of Specialists which, race after race, will increase in number and will provide you with objectives to complete to facilitate the development of one or more areas of the car. Add to this the new secret meetings, which will allow you to discover information about rival teams or those who want to sign you.
This feature has been handled relatively poorly, as the information gained won’t be that important, but your team should find out that you participate and these meetings would be a disaster. The relationship would immediately deteriorate, effectively nullifying the work done to recover little or no useful information.
Final judgement
In the end, F1 24 Is it worth buying or not? If you are passionate about Formula 1, absolutely yes after the corrective patch. Although it is not a game without flaws, F1 24 it will entertain you especially if you play pad. She will entertain you for long hours, with the news of the pilot career that will dominate. If you want a hard and pure simulator, however, opt for something else. F1 24 it’s a game, it must entertain and it does so very well despite all the flaws and defects listed in this review.
RATING: 7.5
