EA's Latest Track Time Sim Pushes Past Its Predecessors with Style
The pinnacle of virtual racing delivers a fresh lap of astonishing realism and high-octane thrills.
VR Support
last updated Nov 18, 2023
This game is the closest you can get to feeling like a Grand Prix maestro without actually being in a cockpit.
Pedal to the Metal Gameplay
F1® 23 peels out of the pit lane and straight into the hearts of gearheads with its meticulous attention to detail and amped-up gameplay. The high-speed drama of the 'Braking Point' story mode returns with all the gripping narrative beats to keep you glued to your seat as you strive for pole position. Whether you fancy yourself a casual cruiser or a simulating speed demon, the finely tuned mechanics cater to both playstyles with aplomb. Accessibility improvements and advanced handling model tweaks make the racing experience both more authentic and user-friendly. That said, it's clear that the intended audience is those who live and breathe racing, featuring complex systems that reward mastery and dedication.
Melodic Motors and Audio Adrenaline
The soundstage of F1® 23 is a symphony in which each engine's growl plays the lead violin. The throaty roars of the supercars are matched perfectly by the orchestration of the game’s soundtrack, which magnifies the drama on every corner. The collaboration between audio design and musical score here is not just pleasing—it's downright immersive. There's an undeniable thrill that courses through you when hearing the downshift up close or the crowd reacting to tussles on the track. Hitting the sweet spot between accurate representation and sheer entertainment, F1® 23’s audio experience is every audiophile racer's dream come true.
A Visual Victory Lap
Graphically speaking, F1® 23 is akin to polishing an already shiny trophy. The visuals blaze down the track with striking clarity, from the sheen on the freshly detailed liveries to the dynamic weather effects that add a layer of strategy and spectacle. Performance-wise, there wasn’t a stutter in sight, with buttery smooth frame rates that keep the action as seamless as a Lewis Hamilton drive. Although not quite escape velocity from last year's look, the refinements ensure that you're always racing in style. While PC gamers might expect each yearly iteration to push graphical boundaries, it’s evident that visual fidelity has been finely balanced with performance here.
Wheels and Woes
There’s no escaping it—wheel support, or the apparent lack thereof for certain peripherals, takes a little of the gloss off the bonnet. When your game is as tightly tweaked as an F1 car, it's integral that compatibility with racing gear is top-notch. Some players have felt the frustration of gear recognition being more fickle than a Formula One tire strategy, requiring tinkering that feels awfully like busywork. It's a bit like being geared up to race only to find someone's nicked your steering wheel.
AI Antics and Multiplayer Mischief
Diving into the AI behavior, it seems like every other virtual racer has a smidge of Senna's spirit—or sometimes, more of Mazepin’s mayhem. The opposition can be ruthlessly realistic with strategic moves or inexplicably ambitious to the point of being harbingers of havoc. On the flip side, hopping into a multiplayer session promises the unpredictability of human racers, adding a layer of longevity and excitement to the title. While it’s great to test your skills against the computer, real satisfaction stems from outmaneuvering a live opponent, particularly one that's been trash-talking your lap times in the lobby.
The Pit and the Pendulum
While F1® 23 stands out as a more polished and refined take on the sport compared to its predecessors, it's not without its share of shortcomings. The rocky VR integration and occasional technical hiccup might not throw you off course, but they're like grains of sand in your racing boot—irritating reminders that perfection is tough to pin down, especially in the gaming sphere. Thankfully, these are the exception rather than the norm, and the overall experience remains spectacularly thrilling.
STEAM RATING
Developer
Codemasters
Publisher
Electronic Arts
Release Date
June 15, 2023
Verdict
At its core, F1® 23 glistens with triumph—it’s a testament to EA's ability to channel the spirit of real-world racing into our gaming rigs. Although there are a few hiccups on the way, they’re not enough to red flag what is essentially an electrifying experience. This game is the closest you can get to feeling like a Grand Prix maestro without actually being in a cockpit. So, if you're all about pushing pixels and pedals to their limits, F1® 23 is the perfect lap mate. Just make sure your hardware is on the game's VIP list.
