Although similar in content and technical level compared to the previous chapter, F1 2014 is a very different title in terms of gameplay, thanks to the new cars with turbo-electric engine. Solid and rich, it is a good product in waiting of the first Next-Gen Formula One.
F1 2014 offers a very strong AI and a great MyCareer-mode, plus marvelous visuals on the last-gen. Unfortunately it does not compare to next-gen games and the arcade racing seems a bit off for a F1-game.
Here's one thing very few people, critics or users, are talking about ---> car handling has substantially improved. I own all F1 games from Codemasters, and I consider this iteration of simcade F1 cars to be the most challenging, interesting, and enjoyable to drive.
The biggest difference? If you push too hard into a turn and slam the brakes in a desperate attempt to still hit the apex, the front wheels DO NOT lockup and the cars DO NOT understeer straight off the track. Instead the cars have braking oversteer which can lead to a 4-tire-drift around the apex, which requires accurate throttle/brake input and appropriate steering to correct and minimize the time lost. That's right, these F1 cars like to drift under aggressive deceleration. And that is incredibly more fun than locking up the Pirilli's and cutting a chicane to regain control and speed. Is it accurate to the real motorsport? Perhaps not, but it's considerably more fun.
Second biggest difference: Holy crap, the torque. I haven't driven every car yet, but if you load up that rear axle mid turn on a sweeper while pounding up through the gears, full throttle will result in lighting up the rear tires. Throttle control is critical; turns that were flat in F1 2013 now require some throttle manipulation to keep the car on the a fast racing line. You can also go deep into the rev's without losing too much acceleration, a pleasant situation because the gear ratios are fixed.
Why are people not talking about these improvements to car handling and the positive impact it has on the gameplay? I imagine most people use a joypad, and I don't know how these changes translate a stick and a couple triggers. Or if they have a wheel and pedal setup, they keep some driving assists on, completely negating the fun of pushing the fastest cars in the world while exploring the limits of grip.
As for what everyone else is saying: Yes, in general there is less content and Codemasters should have anticipated this response. But if you have the racing peripherals and the skills to drive with all assists off, you will be surprised at how much fun it is to toss a Codies F1'14 car around the race tracks.
10/10
I agree with the general copy+paste opinion about the game but it's still a pretty good game. It's better than least years iteration and it has the new engine rules and other details that's important for someone who actually enjoys F1 in real life and with a game perspective.
Realistically I'd give the game a 7 or 8 but to counter the other clueless reviews I decided to be "just as clueless" but on the opposite side of the scale. Please try to be somewhat reflected when reviewing a game rather than childish and butthurt over minor details.
F1 2014 is not a bad game, it was built on solid foundations of its predecessors, but it doesn’t offer anything new and is clearly just an appetizer before the next-gen F1 2015. [13/2014, p.71]
F1 2014 can be considered a missed opportunity for Codemasters to create a convincing simulation of the current F1 season. We hope because most of the staff is focused on next-gen version of the game already.
An unsatisfactory repetition of last year's game, F1 2014 cannot justify its release. The minor gameplay improvements are inadequate, compared to the various deficiencies, such as graphics and sound stagnation, lack of ERS system, absence of a special gaming mode like Champions or Classic mode of 2012 and 2013 respectively, problematic A.I and erratic penalty system.
Absolutely championship mode is excellent, realistic graphics and sounds can not be disputed.
Not much difference from the previous game. (excluding audio and car)
old wine in new bottle. so true :d
There is a lot of negativity about the "copy/paste" nature of this game but the reality is that it is exactly what it really has to be. It's a F1 game that covers the 2014 season and it does so pretty darn well. If you want to drive the new cars with the new engines on the 2014 selection of tracks, this title will give you exactly what you are looking for.
The only letdown for me is the lack of classic content, 2013's iteration had some classic cars from the 80's and 90's that were very interesting (and fun) to drive but this title lacks that classic content. Perhaps there was a good reason but it still is some thing that is missed.
Overall, if you are looking for a game that reinvents the wheel, perhaps you should not ask that **** based on a sport. F1 2014 gives you the 2014 cars on the 2014 tracks, I am not sure what everyone else was really expecting.
7. NOT 8, 9 or 10 for a few reasons.
It's only 7 because unlike the previous versions I've played, 2010 being the worst for a specific problem in gameplay, the game runs like a damned charm. It's about time it did too. Whatever Codemasters have been up to for it to disappointingly bork the framerate so unnecessarily is beyond me, and clearly they've done something to fix that.
I am disappointed however, in the lack of the familiar environments of the paddock, complete with it's (albeit not quite well drawn) ladies being photographed and it's journalists looking to get some answers from someone who clearly isn't you most of the time.
I am also disappointed by the blatant cut scene copying. A victory in a short grand prix race revealed a cut scene that was ripped straight from it's predecessor, which kind of ruined it, and fell short of expectations. Sure, it's not really about the FMVs for some people, but it always will be for me, and I like to see some differences when a particular type of game follows the same topic (like all the FIFA games, all the NHL games, all the NBA games, etc etc). It adds to the novelty value **** that otherwise would simply be largely repetitive, and not changing the cut scenes to something different seems to have made it more repetitive than it needs to be.
It's not a blinding disappointment, smooth gameplay, even on high settings with a mid to high end system makes it a pleasure to play.
The new game modes I haven't tried yet, but they do look promising. The only thing that really let this game down was the cut scenes, which is a great shame. If they can improve on those, and keep the framerate from being so clunky like it was in previous versions, the next version could be perfect.
Maybe the most ridiculous copy and paste, without 5mins of work for improve a game, of all times... just kidding, because now drive the car seems fking easy and boring, also without helps.
If you like paying for the same game alá copy and paste style over and over again, then this is for you, if not, ignore this crap release, it's a lousy console "childish" arcade racer at best with some of the industries worst physics, super stiff, impossible to drive of the track, unless you are new to the racing genera or an idiot, outdated graphics, especially the shaders and shadows, not working as they should, bad audio design and the whole new "environmental" crap that have poisoned formula make me sick, no kers, zero refuels, and again, it's the same game that was delivered last year, and the year before last year, and the year before last year, and the year before last year, with a few more tracks and new skins, but for your own health and safety, save your money.
SummaryGamers can refine their skills and win medals by taking part in bite-sized racing challenges in an expanded Scenario mode, featuring a range of different scenarios based on real-world challenges and moments from recent history.