Codemasters’ yearly F1 simulation returns with F1 24. The racing game series has really seen an even further level of polish following being purchased by Electronic Arts in 2021 and that trend isn’t broken here. With a much more robust career mode and an even better F1 World experience, this is the best F1 game to date.
The first thing you’ll notice after getting into a race is the improved handling in F1 24. The game features Codemasters’ biggest physics update ever, bringing with it an authentic feeling to the racing. From how the car reacts to corners to the tire performance, everything has been tweaked for the better. It’s especially immersive when using a racing wheel, but even when just paired with the DualSense’s haptic feedback, it is quite the experience.
As you continue to spend time off and on the track, you’ll start to realize how many small yet significant improvements have been made this year. Several tracks have been updated to make them even more accurate and look better, such as Silverstone and Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. Additionally, audio samples from actual F1 broadcasts have been added, so you can actually hear the voices of the real-life drivers. It’s a really nice touch and one that diehard fans will definitely get a kick out of. There are plenty of other additions, such as additional F1 icons in the game, and several drivers have gotten a facelift to look more like their real-world counterparts. These small changes really add up to something significant as you spend more time with the game and make it a much more polished affair.
Gameplay has always been the F1 series’ strong point, though, so it’s great to see that Codemasters spent just as much thought and care into bettering its career mode. The much-improved driver career mode allows players to really dive into the life of a racer, focusing on cementing a legacy while also giving a glimpse into the business and tech sides of F1 racing. There are a lot of options, as you can pick a current or legendary real-life driver or create your own character and then guide them through a career that is impacted by a “driver recognition” system that is altered by your decisions and performance. It’s the series’ best single-player offering yet and a real blast.
Impressively, there are even more career options available. There’s a two-player career that allows players to either play cooperatively as teammates or competitively as rivals — with all the single-player features there as well. However, my favorite of the bunch is the challenge career, which are shorter career scenarios that range several weeks. There’s a leaderboard for these more bite-sized challenges, and it’s a lot of fun to quickly do a few races and feel very satisfied at the end versus the main mode, which can sometimes feel like a grind as you’re rising the ranks. It’s a very nice change of pace and a valuable addition to F1 24.
The final big feature is that F1 World is back, which is a great hub with a ton of features ranging from online races to competitive series with goals to accomplish. The biggest change to the mode is the addition of “Fanzone,” which is a new feature that allows you to pick your favorite team and driver and then earn points for them. Considering how passionate F1 fans are about their favorite drivers, it is a fun community feature and adds another thing to do for the mode, which was already packed with content as you improve your car with unlocks over time.
F1 24 Review: Final Verdict
F1 24 continues Codemasters’ hot streak, as it is the best game in the racing series. The on-the-track racing experience has just as much depth as the modes players navigate through beforehand, and there is a real wealth of content to dig into. The new career mode and the improved F1 World make it easier than ever to spend hours behind the virtual wheel without feeling any monotony.
SCORE: 9/10
As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a score of 9 equates to “Excellent.” Entertainment that reaches this level is at the top of its type. The gold standard that every creator aims to reach.
Disclosure: The publisher provided a PS5 code for our F1 24 review. Reviewed on version 1.002.000.
