Personally, I’ve never been a fan of Formula 1. Gone are the days of playboy racing drivers and cigarette sponsorship. Today, it’s all very clinical and more of a science where most drivers are in bed by 9pm with a protein drink.
When Codemasters sent over their latest F1 game, aptly named F1 2012, I wasn`t overly excited about playing it, yet as a driving simulation fan I gave it a go and the result was amazing.
I have a new born respect for F1 drivers because the game is a real insight into this technologically complex sport.
F1 2012 is unlike any other driving simulator I have played before, the realism and handling of the cars is unprecedented and using a gaming wheel adds to the experience. The game really immerses the player in the world of F1. It’s not simply jump in and start racing.
There’s a one hour tutorial at the start that teaches you using videos and driving tests to familiarise the driver with all the workings of an F1 car.
This is invaluable when it comes to starting your career.
The game is a challenging one, not only are the obvious drivers included but also team members as well to add to the realism.
You receive e-mails from other teams making offers as you progress and hopefully improve.
This is where the real challenge begins. Unlike most driving simulators, you have to abide by the F1 rules so you can’t just tear it up around the track barging past other drivers and taking short cuts.
Any infringement can result in penalties and even disqualification so watch out.
I felt exhausted after pushing my car to its limit trying to shave off a fraction of a second of my best lap time and again can appreciate what a real F1 driver must feel like after a grand prix. The game is exhilarating and very challenging.
If you’re a newcomer to this kind of game don’t be put off. There are a number of driver assists available like braking, traction control and racing guidelines to help you get to grips with the car.
As you improve and the less assistance is used the more exciting the game becomes, with every gear change, braking manoeuvre and pit stop down to you.
It can be frustrating at first when you keep finishing last and each race is a nightmare to get through but stick with it and you will soon improve.
There is a feature called flashback that enables you to rewind the action and start a particular section again after, for example, a collision or a spin.
I stayed away from this element as it affected my performance and concentration.
The actual main content of the game is varied with the proving grounds being probably the most accessible to newcomers.
Champions mode is a selection of six challenges against some of the biggest drivers in F1 where you try to out race them and it certainly isn’t easy.
Of course, the real challenge in this game is the career mode where you work your way up the league tables, impressing all the big wigs and the press and where you can move to bigger and better teams with the aim of becoming a world champion.
Don’t expect it to be over in a few hours though, this is a long game and you really have to put in the effort if you want the rewards.
There is an excellent on-line and split screen mode available so you can pit your skills against other real drivers, again a real challenge as there are plenty of serious F1 enthusiasts out there.
The graphics in this game are very realistic with weather changes a big part of the gameplay.
You can actually see the storm clouds gathering as you are racing and it’s down to you to make that decision to change your tyres before it rains.
Summary
F1 2012 is way more than just a racing game it’s a full on experience if you’re a casual driving simulator player then this is going to be a real shock to the system.
Yet, if you’re a fan of F1 or just a gamer that wants more than just a tear it up racing game then this is for you.
F1 2012
Developers: Codemasters
Publishers: Codemasters
Xbox 360®
Playstation 3®
PC
Genre: Racing
Release Date: 21st September 2012
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