Over the years, developer Codemasters has done a fantastic job at creating numerous Formula 1 games that look gorgeous, are fun to play, and are meticulously crafted to include a number of customisation options for controller and simulation users alike. The F1 World mode has incorporated online and offline components in unique ways, while career modes have excelled with cinematic experiences like last year’s Braking Point 2.
F1 24 feels like two sides of the same coin. On one side, it’s improved its handling mechanics and added to the more focused Driver Career mode. On the other side, the awesome Braking Point story mode is now gone and the remaining modes like F1 World feel very similar to last year’s F1 23. While this is still a fantastic racing game, I’m just not sure how essential this will feel to yearly fans.
Brake Last, Finish First
Over the last few years, F1 games have simply been getting better and better as far as handling is concerned. F1 23 felt great, but I still felt things got a little too loose at times. Vehicle damage would also hinder handling as it does here, but I felt that even with assists on, small bumps off-road and on apex turns could throw you off track entirely. That can still happen, but as these cars are prone to some of the best handling in the world, there’s a bit of room for improvement.
As a result, handling feels much more concise in F1 24, particularly in those moments. There’s an argument to be made about how sticky things should feel, but I would argue that thanks to a wide range of control and difficulty presets and customisation options that can affect things like handling, things feel much more accessible to newer fans, and satisfying to those who want to feel that true sense of consistent speed.
Like the controls, opponent AI can also be customised to your liking, but I felt as though the standard settings were already enough of a challenge, particularly early on in my Driver Career. That being said, the overall difficulty can be easily adjusted with a dedicated slider, which helps you find that sweet spot to suit your competitive edge.
The refreshed handling makes things feel a little better than F1 23 as a whole, but I would be lying if it made a world of difference. It’s one of those things that hardcore fans like myself will appreciate, and newer or casual fans would barely notice. Overall, this is still the same great experience as it was last year, made slightly more satisfying and accessible.
Be the Best
The real draw of F1 24 feels like the new Driver Career mode. Gone is the dedicated story mode of Braking Point, split over F1 21 and F1 23. Now, we have a more streamlined career mode that focuses on the driver, as opposed to the My Team mode, which incorporates the daily team aspects of a career, including team research and development, finances, contracts and signings. Here, you’re now able to choose from a group of real-life drivers and champions to reshape their careers. While a different range of drivers is split across F1 and F2, you can also create your own custom character and choose their origins, team and race partners.
I naturally created my own driver, because I just wanted to see myself in a McLaren racing fit next to Oscar Piastri. But at the same time, I was surprised by just how well-paced and engaging this new career actually was. You’re still technically contributing to research and development by completing objectives mid-race, and I feel it’s a great way to cut through the fat for those who are interested in facing each track head-on, as soon as possible.
Various objectives will also now pop up in your feed mid-race, ranging from completing laps in certain times to overtaking the driver in front of you. While these objectives are frequent and do help gather XP and develop your driver once complete, they feel a little random and pointless at times. For the most part, you’re already trying to get the best lap or overtake the driver in front of you in practice sessions and qualifying.
Secret meetings are also now a thing, in which your manager can organise and inform you of meetings with other racing teams, to see just how they can poach you or offer you a better seat with a fresh team. It’s a cool concept, but it doesn’t really pay off in most situations. You can choose to pursue conversations or decline an offer then and there. But if you choose to pursue conversations, things might take three or four attempts to get off the ground, making them feel relatively hit-and-miss.
I still recommend playing this first as a true highlight of F1 24. The now streamlined career allows you to jump right in from the perspective of the driver, and I can imagine this is way easier for most fans and newcomers alike to jump on board with.
Ways to Play
Other modes like My Team and F1 World are also back for another round. Unfortunately, they’re not really that much better. The My Team mode is actually great as it allows you to jump into the nitty-gritty of daily life and management, but I would still say it’s best suited to the more hardcore fans. Even then, it’s an incredibly familiar experience, so be prepared.
F1 World combines both multiplayer and single-player offerings yet again, and I once believed this would carry the longevity of F1 23 well into the next racing season. I must now unfortunately admit that I was wrong. It’s still a great way to jump in for a quick race on your own as you match up against the driving avatars of your own friend list, but it all becomes one big grind, thanks to a ‘Battle Pass’ system that encourages you churn through races for cosmetic rewards.
The online component of F1 World is still the same as it was in F1 23, and I still can’t believe that people even drive like that in public races. It’s honestly brutal and I could barely get through a race without being rammed off track. That being said, I would strongly recommend checking out the Leagues mode, as the more structured tournaments bring in those a little more serious about clean racing.
Look the Part
F1 24 is the best the series has ever looked. That sounds like a given, but even as far as natural progression is concerned, this feels like a huge leap forward. People will think you’re watching a real race and I don’t blame them. Each of the 24 tracks from around the world is also treated to some expert lighting effects and stunning detail. The character models of drivers themselves can still look a little wooden at times, but they’re definitely on the mark for the most part.
Sound design is also fantastic, and while the cars aren’t sounding much better in real life, everything sounds fantastic here, even down to the radio conversations, which are ripped straight from real races. I just wish the commentary was a little more exciting to match some of the awesome radio dialogue.
Final Thoughts
Overall, F1 24 is a step in the right direction, even if it feels like an evolution rather than a revolution. The Driver Career is great as a more streamlined approach to a traditional career mode, while general handling and visuals are better than ever.
While the overall familiarity hinders modes like F1 World for its shallow nature, I still recommend jumping back in for what is another incredible recreation of Formula 1 racing.
FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Highlights: Same great driving mechanics and newer handling improvements; Looks fantastic; New Driver Career is a nice change
Lowlights: No more Braking Point; F1 World still feels a little shallow
Developer: Codemasters
Publisher: EA Sports
Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Windows PC
Available: Now
Review conducted on PlayStation 5 with a pre-release code provided by the publisher.
