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F1 2012

F1 2012

The Formula 1 season is in full swing and we've taken the third instalment in Codemasters F1 series for a spin.

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With last year's edition of Formula 1 it was apparent that Codemasters were already forced to deal with the problem that every developer who updates a franchise annually runs into - how do you find the time and where can you innovate?

Perhaps this is why the latest instalment is so keen on showing us how much has changed since the last game, and this is apparent straight away as the entire menu system, seen from a driver's perspective, is done away with. Instead we're treated to what looks like a wind tunnel sporting an insanely detailed F1 car with a bit of room left over at the bottom for the actual menus.

It's a bit of a change for a series that previously went to length to make you the main character of the game, but you soon come to appreciate that fact that it's quicker to get into the races.

F1 2012
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The changes are far more radical when it comes to the actual content of the game. It almost seems as if Codemasters have split the developers in two teams - one tasked with creating new game modes, while the other has focused on the actual race experience. Regardless, there are new features in both areas.

The career mode has been expanded with solid training sessions where you learn everything from the use of KERS and DRS to smart takeovers, and how to find the best line through a curve in order to quickly accelerate out of it. The lack of a well thought out tutorial and training mode was one of the biggest problems with last year's edition, and is a brilliant addition here that is likely to shave time off the best laps of most players. The fact that Codemasters have named this the "Young Driver's Test", which is a training and evaluation event for future real world F1 drivers is just icing on the cake.

F1 2012

If you're not willing to head straight into the deep end with a career, you can start off with the new Season Challenge mode. The idea is rather neat, as your career is condensed to ten short races were you advance up the ranks by challenging other drivers, pass them on the track and taking over their position in the teams. This adds a layer of strategy as with just ten races to reach the top you'll have to challenge the likes of Hamilton, Alonso and Vettel if you want to end your career with McLaren, Ferrari, or Red Bull - even if that means taking them on in a Toro Rosso.

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Champions Mode is also new, that was made possible as the championship now hosts six former or current world champions. Each of Kimi Räikkönen, Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso, and Michael Schumacher have a special challenge for players to take on. In the case of Kimi Räikkönen you're given the task of driving through the field on fresh tires, while the rest are nursing worn out rubber, and the idea is to try and win the race in the few remaining laps.

F1 2012

On the track there are also a set of welcome new features. The difference between various sets of tires is far more pronounced and forces you to really take care of how you choose to use the limited supply of tires at your disposal. Much like in the real world you can't use up all your soft tires during qualification and expect to do well in the actual race.

The effect wind resistance has on the car is also far more pronounced in this year's product. Something that makes it easier to sense when something is about to go wrong, or you creep up to close to another car, and when it makes sense to activate the DRS.

The technical side of things have also been overhauled. There used to be massive difference between the F1 games and other Codemasters titles using the same technology, but this year things have improved greatly.

F1 2012

F1 2012 is far more visually pleasing than its predecessors with lots of added detail, while elements such as reflections and lighting now lend it a more realistic look. It should come as no surprise that the PC version is an experience far beyond the console games as it makes use of the latest hardware and offers better framerate.

We're impressed at how inviting F1 2012 manages to be in comparison to last year's game, but the addition of training sessions, fun new challenges, an improved driving experience, and a marked technical improvement makes it the strongest entry in the series to date.

08 Gamereactor UK
8 / 10
+
+ Finally a decent tutorial. + Fun game modes. + Improved driving. + Gorgeous graphics.
-
- Doesn't do much to invite new players, and still just for fans of the sport.
overall score
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