REVIEW : F1 2021 (PC)

0
698
REVIEW : F1 2021 (PC)

REVIEW : F1 2021 (PC)

The best motorsport on the planet has enjoyed a renaissance in recent years, owing to the innovative approach of the sport’s new owners to marketing, but more importantly, because of Netflix’s fantastic Drive to Survive series. As a result, despite Mercedes’ years of supremacy and living GOAT Lewis Hamilton’s dominance, the sport has witnessed significant growth in interest. It’s no wonder, however, that Codemasters’ latest edition in their long-running franchise focuses on what makes F1 2021 so appealing to some: the human element.

REVIEW : F1 2021 (PC)

The most talked-about feature of F1 2021 is its new storey mode, Breaking Point. Codemasters, which EA recently acquired, has set its sights on a single-player deep dive into the drama and personality that F1 has grown famous for. Braking Point successfully pulls inspiration from games such as FIFA’s The Journey. Players take on the roles of two teammates: Aiden Jackson, a fresh-off-the-boat novice trying to make his mark in the history books, and Casper Akkerman, a fading legend of the sport. You’ll be able to select their team, which will all be backmarkers, such as Alpha Tauri, Williams, Haas, or Alfa Romeo.

REVIEW : F1 2021 (PC)

Regardless of whatever squad you choose, the existing roster drivers will be unseated for the storey’s duration. The rest of the grid, on the other hand, will remain and will even appear in the rare cutscene.

As the storey progresses, you will be tethered to one of the two main characters as particular circumstances unfold. Aiden and Casper have well-developed and believable personas, with Aiden’s character resembling George Russel or Alex Albon and Casper like Alonso or Raikonnen.

Braking Point also sees the return of the despised Devin Butler from F1 2019, and his weaselly tiny face and caustic personality make him a noteworthy enemy for the tale. Throughout the fairly lengthy campaign, you’ll be faced with interacting with the press after the race, as well as loved ones who appear as side characters, furthering the ‘behind the scenes’ perspective that Codemasters is attempting to emulate. Again, this is done well; some terrific and believable moments kept me hooked on the journey these two drivers were on and ready to see their storey come to a close.

Unfortunately, Breaking Point suffers from a few pretty scripted moments over which you have little control, but this is to be expected. On numerous times, I was charged with finishing in the top 10 and even exceeded this by reaching the podium; nevertheless, the cutscene that followed made no mention of my achievement, detracting from the hard effort. Even while it does not mention the ongoing disruptions to world sports caused by the epidemic, which directly impacted the 2020 season, the almost 6-hour campaign is nevertheless highly well-executed. It’s a fantastic starting point for future versions of the game, and I’m excited to see what Codemasters has in store for the following season.

REVIEW : F1 2021 (PC)

Aside from that, F1 2021 introduces new content, especially a two-player career option that allows you to play through a whole season from Australia to Abu Dhabi in a cooperative format. While I couldn’t thoroughly test it, it’s a beautiful feature that will have you working with or against pals. With increased customisation possibilities and finely calibrated seasonal upgrades, even the less nerdy F1 fans may enjoy this mode as it allows you to upgrade your R&D departments using an automated setting that lessens the hard lifting that has traditionally been a bit of a barrier for more casual gamers. Unfortunately, while there is some story to these other modes, including an appearance by F1 analyst Will Buxton, they are generally uninteresting and lack personality.

There are now designated ranked lobbies when it comes to multiplayer, which should lessen the destruction derby type races that have plagued the game in recent years. With F1 emphasising their e-sports community more than ever before, there is also the opportunity to compete for official placement in the worldwide tournament. However, because this is an EA game, microtransactions for cosmetics appear to be creeping in. At this moment, it’s nothing too severe, but it’s a little disconcerting to observe.

F1 2021 is the smoothest and most visceral game to date. Cars handle and feel better than ever before, thanks to a plethora of adjustable settings. A revamped damage model also makes its debut, with the ability to scuff up or destroy barge boards, rear wings, side pods, and more, which can significantly impact track performance. Unfortunately, players familiar with the handline from last season will find little to write home about since we have been delayed from the exciting 2022 makeover that was supposed to take effect this season.

REVIEW : F1 2021 (PC)

Cars, in any case, look and sound terrific. However, there is a noticeable change in audio quality, with the mechanical whining of the differential and induction from the turbo units bordering on audio porn.

Previous games in the series had waxy-looking character models, but 2021 has the best-looking grid to far. Not only were the character models in Braking Point impressive, but so was the rest of the real-life grid; I found myself falling for Lando Norris’ model, the sharp-looking, milk-drinking lad that he is. The tracks have received some extra attention, and the grass and gravel now look fantastic even at 320kph. The show’s actual stars, the car models, are painstakingly detailed and seem better than ever.

REVIEW : Tools Up! Garden Party Episode 2: Tunnel Vision (XBOX Series X)

REVIEW OVERVIEW
Conclusion
8
Previous articleWatch 13 minutes of story-based sugar glider adventure AWAY: The Survival Series
Next articleTwin Suns Corp Attracts Top Talent
review-f1-2021-pcOverall, F1 2021 provides the most full and well-rounded experience to date, with annual advancements aside. Braking Point alone would entice me to purchase, but the fact that Codemasters has gone to such lengths to deliver a complete product is fantastic. There is little to dislike about this incarnation, and it establishes a solid foundation for the franchise as it moves into the new console era.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here