Review: F1 2020

Closest to the real thing we’ll get this year

Title: F1 2020
Platform: Google Stadia, PC, PS4, and Xbox One (reviewed)
Developer: Codemasters Birmingham
Publisher: Codemasters
Release date: Out Now
tl;dr: Best racing sim of 2020
Price: Â£60 / $60
Family Focus: Click here for more information.

Another year, another F1 racing simulator. F1 2020 is the 12th instalment in the series and features a whooping 22 tracks, 20 drivers, and 10 racing teams all of which represent the 2020 F1 World Championship. As with any yearly series, F1 2020 brings a bevvy of new features and content which improves upon its predecessor. Let’s see how this new entry stacks up.

The F1 video game series is a racing simulator series based on the F1 racing sport. Players will need to race through various game modes such as Championship or Career to earn victories and move from F2 racing to the prestigious F1 challenge.

Also, newcomers to the sport such as myself might be confused about all the intricacies of the sport. For example, before a championship, youâ€™re given an opportunity to do laps around the circuit to get a feel of it, but it can sometimes feel neverending as itâ€™s not clear when you can move into the race.

You also have a bevvy of difficulty settings which will make sure to cover every type of player skills by setting a Driving Proficiency Assist from beginner to Elite; pros of the genre can also tailor a custom racing experience; meaning you can tweak various racing settings such as braking assist, tracing control or fuel assist to suit your racing skills

Along with customizable racing experience, players can also select from 5 preset racing vehicle settings such as maximum downforce or increased top speed; or once again tailor one to their liking. Post-career races also have an interesting mechanic where you are to talk with the press. Youâ€™re given a few conversational choices varying from partial answers to egotistical ones.

F1 2020 is jampacked with content. Considering the racing genre is pretty straight-forward (race around the track and win), developers will often include a handful of modes, solo and multiplayer, to keep players hooked. Solo players will be able to jump into a Career mode, My Team (allows players to build their racing legacy from the ground up), Grand Prix, Championships, and Time Trials. Those who prefer some online fun will be able to dive into Weekly Events, Leagues, Splitscreen, Ranked and Unranked races.

Overall F1 2020’s presentation is pretty solid. Vehicles and environments look great. However, character models do look a bit outdated; near lifeless robots. Sure, I wouldn’t expect Ghost of Tsushima types of character models, but making them a bit more alive could’ve gone a long way. The audio is faithful to the races. Devoid of music while racing, the sound of the engines sounds accurate, and also your team coach giving you support doesn’t sound out of place or forced. They also give you helpful information.

F1 2020 is definitely one of the best racing experiences I’ve had the privileged of playing and reviewing. While a bit daunting at first, mostly for newcomers, the game’s menus are easy to navigate. The game’s customizing options also allows players to tailor a racing experience based on their skills. If you’re looking for a racing simulator this year, make it F1 2020.