F1 2021 Test: Everything you need to know

Test carried out on PS4

Successful gameplay

Like real F1 cars, the single-seaters are much more understeer than last year. Many corners that it was possible to take flat out are no longer possible. Also, the cars having much less downforce have less good traction than on F1 2021.

Other aspects of the gameplay have been modified this year. One of the most important is that the player can no longer change the fuel mix they use. A feature that makes the game more true to reality but also allows more focus on raw driving.

Driving is notably affected by the new rumble strips, which have a much greater impact on the car. The difference between the asphalt and the rumble strips is more noticeable than last year, and some rumble strips can even throw you off the track if you abuse them too much.

On the other hand, one of the major drawbacks of the game is that the gameplay is much faster than the real-life single-seaters. Although it’s normal for virtuality to allow for more risks and to benefit from much better conditions, a three-second gap on most circuits is far too significant.

It is for this reason that Codemasters is supposed to bring a new patch that will change the cars’ performances and therefore very likely change their behavior. The editorial staff of Motors Inside intends to test this new physics with a dedicated review that will be available upon the release of this patch.

What about the content?

The biggest addition in terms of gameplay is undoubtedly the “Braking Point” mode. This is a story spread between 2019 and 2021 that will tell us the evolution of the young driver Aiden Jackson from Formula 2 to Formula 1 and the relationship he has with his teammate.

The story, although relatively short (just 5 hours of gameplay), is still interesting and the evolution of the characters is just as captivating. The only drawbacks are the total lack of freedom given to the players. Regardless of the on-track performances achieved, they will not change the storyline. Also, the lip sync is sometimes a bit off.

Always among the new features, we can count the two-player career mode in multiplayer, which allows for a classic career but with a friend online. You can either be teammates on the same team or rivals in different teams.

The My Team mode in which you create your team, sign the best possible teammate, and develop your car is still there. No major changes on this game mode except for the addition of difficulty customization elements, a new Research and Development system, and finally a new statistic for driver cards. This last one, called Focus, influences the driver’s form based on their recent performances.

The career mode where you create your own driver and face the 2021 grid of the premier category of motorsport is still present. The classic Grand Prix and Time Trial modes are also available.

If you’re tired of driving a Formula 1 car, you can step down to the lower category and drive an F2, which of course have their own physics. Absent at the game’s launch, the F2 2021 cars will be added later, in the meantime enjoy the ones from the 2020 season.

At the circuit level, there are 21 circuits. New circuits such as Jeddah, Imola, and Portimão will be added in a future update. This will bring the number of circuits in the game to 24.

Unfortunately, F1 2021 is accompanied by some disappearances, such as classic cars that offered players a different driving experience than usual. It is also the end of championship modes, a direct consequence of the removal of classic single-seaters.

Good visual evolution

As every year, at Codemasters, the graphic aspect is never a revolution but a constant evolution between each installment. After revising the lighting effects on F1 2020, it is the textures that have been highlighted in F1 2021. The asphalt and grass are much more detailed than before, adding a certain realism to the tracks.

The game cinematics have also taken a step forward and are more true to life.

The only visual downside is the wheel animation after some accidents, which moves for no reason while our car is stopped.

An online experience that leaves something to be desired

Although relatively stable, the online mode has not managed to free itself from certain bugs that can slightly tarnish the gaming experience.

We have encountered issues with the ERS, which did not always manage to deactivate properly, especially under Safety Car conditions where it is possible to overtake or be overtaken.

Although quite rare, one would have hoped to see the online mode rid of all these small obstacles to the ultimate experience. Indeed, the online mode is very complete with a ranked mode where the goal will be to increase your rank, an unranked mode that allows you more than ever before to customize your game settings, and finally the weekly events.

Many customization options are available for your character such as suits, gloves, liveries, helmets, and the new addition this year: radio messages.

Conclusion

Whether you are a fan of Formula 1, motor racing, or car games, this F1 2021 should greatly satisfy your needs thanks to its rich content and graphics that are up to current standards. The addition of the Braking Point mode is a very good addition alongside very effective game modes such as Career or My Team. Whether in single-player or multiplayer mode, this new F1 game should not bore you anytime soon.