REVIEW – After a several month delay, in the middle of the scorching hot summer, Codemasters finally came out with their latest episode of their F1 license usage, just before the championship’s summer break. The game finally jumped to the current generation – after 2013, the 2014 game was terrible, did it manage to improve this year? Let’s just say it happened, but just barely…

This is a respectble move by Codemasters that they included the last season as well in the game, so the replayability can be expanded a bit, or at least the last year’s fans can pick F1 2015 up. However, even in the current generation, they didn’t manage to fix the issues of the past, and in fact, the British team didn’t put together the thing I was honestly expecting. What happened?

Milestone is better in one aspect

I’m serious about it. There’s one thing pulled off BETTER by MotoGP 15 in comparison to F1 2015. Of course, I’m not going to pull a direct comparing between the two titles as these are in two different genres, but there is an important difference. In MotoGP, you can actually create your own rider, even if it’s limited to presets, but still, it’s your rider in the end. You cannot make this in F1 2015. It feels lacks life to just pick a driver and start the championship right away. You can’t just start out at a small team and slowly work your way up. No. Even though I remember that from F1 2004 on the PlayStation 2 no less…

Lacking

Do you remember F1 2013? Well, that had something called the Classic mode. Old cars (with sadly, not completely replicated liveries, which applies to the Williams cars of 2014/2015 too, because it lacks the Martini sponsorship due to PEGI ratings, lol), old tracks and a respectable addition. This got kicked out in 2014 entirely. Good job. You have a championship, a Pro Seasons mode (effectively the simulation championship on hardest AI), time trial and a quick race. That’s it. F1 2015 really lacks in game modes and outside the track, mimicking MotoGP 15. What about the multiplayer? It works normally, but bugs will eventually happen later on, as seen in previous titles too.

Performs well on track

I also want point out that the game needs time, you can’t finish races off quickly – this is apparent mostly in Championship. What about the races? They are smooth, visually aesthetic and enjoyable. It’s really a challenge to have a good result with the – thankfully updated livery-shod – McLaren-Honda with the engine that explodes more than grenades on a soldier training. In THIS aspect, Codemasters made a superb job.

About the graphics: the framerate is mostly 60 FPS – and it has low system requirements on PC too -, and if the rain starts to fall… then something different shows up. The way raindrops affect our view is quite realistic, this looks excellent. But the game looks below average outside the track: the pilots’ looks and movements aren’t PS4-level in my opinion. It should have been improved a bit more.

Physics

The physics are amazing. As the tyres wear out, as the spoilers break and as the fuel goes down, the track evolves. Better grip, better lap times and meanwhile, our mechanic constantly informs us on the radio with proper information. What about beginners? They can easily set the game up to even be an arcade game: flashblacks, proper raceline, gearbox, damage disabling and so on. We can actually ride the Mexican Grand Prix’ circuit before Hamilton et al. Still, the game isn’t really much above average, even if I can use voice commands in the game, they work nicely!

It still has to improve a lot

Sky Sports F1 commentary by Crofty and Davidson and Safety Car aside, F1 2015 is sadly only good where it has to perform well: on the track. But it lacks content, even if it has the 2014 season. Let there be challenges! Let there be a Classic mode! Let there be an opportunity to make our own driver and have a custom Career mode! That way, F1 can be on a way to success…

And now, allow me to load the game and go a few laps with Jules Bianchi. May he rest in peace.

-V-

Publisher: Codemasters
Developer: Codemasters
Genres: car racing, simulation
Publication: July 10, 2015