F1 2016 is the latest entry in Codemasters formula one racing series, and for many it is an answer to last years entry which received a mediocre response at best. Codemasters have done their best to answer all the questions and complaints people had with the former title, but have they succeeded this year with 2016?
The reality is that even though in the edition of last year steps were taken forward in terms of gameplay, its low content did recommend a very difficult product. F1 2016 comes with a fresh proposal and have really listened to what we wanted.
Baku is the largest of many new exciting additions in F1 2016; a game that in many ways reflects the intense hard work and determination needed to win something like the Azerbaijani Grand Prix. It’s an incredible turnaround from the slim-pickings of last year’s game, which didn’t even feature a career mode. Huge step forward.
F1 2016 is a racer that doesn’t revolutionise what has always been an authentic representation of the sport, but which adds so many new features that it’s difficult to believe what Codemasters has done with the series in twelve short months. It’s a game that finally looks like its inspired by one of the wealthiest sports in the world. So much so that the PS4 often struggles to keep a stable 60-fps.
Abu Dhabi looks incredible this year, the towering lights of Singapore’s incredible night race and the sunset over Bahrain’s dusky desert; F1 2016 brings its circuits to life in a way no iteration has done previously, from the detail on the tarmac to the varying weather effects, where the rain is the best we have ever seen in any racing game. You’re even able to select the time of day for certain events, allowing you to see circuits like you’ve never seen them before.
It feels bigger and better, thanks to the return of that career mode, we told you we wanted it back and Codemaster’s listened. The game lets you choose your own personal avatar – face, helmet etc and the kind of career you want to participate in. You can choose whichever team you want to start in, too, as well as select which driver you’d like as your teammate. Start in an established top-tier team like Mercedes and you’ll race a two-season career with set objectives; start in a Manor and you’ll have a career of 7+ seasons with which to rise from the back of the grid, to a world championship win.
F1 2016 shines and looks stunning. It’s great to feel the weight and power of the exact car that are controlling in our hands. Furthermore, the way in which the vibration control is exploited, is also great, because even helps us to know exactly what type of surface are standing or how tense the suspension of Formula 1 is due to the speed that we carry. Braking is another element in the work I was greatly since resulted in great shape the G Forces generated after changing radically speed, or when making an open curve over 200 kilometers per hour.
In the lower right, a stunning interface only dedicated to communication with our team, and very timely information on the state of our integrated auto. For example, at one point I was running qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix when the sky began to cloud, so using my voice (pretty cool feature I must say), I asked my race engineer give me the weather report. I was told that in the next two laps it was clear and sunny but if we get any chance of rain they will update me!
For the most hardcore of fans, you can indulge in all three full-length practice sessions, a full-length qualifying and the entire race itself – there are also 25% and 50% intervals, easily sucking up hours of your time with each calendar event. This is no doubt where F1 2016 shines, and where its simulation underpinnings – tyre degradation, pit stops and race flow – feel so, so realistic. This feeds directly into the handling itself; Codemasters’ take on F1 has always thrived when you begin to turn the assists off, and 2016 just refines its already meticulous inner workings. Experiment with it – brave what is a surprisingly complicated simulation game – and F1 2016 goes from being a racer where you brake and accelerate, to a game where you become aware of every single part of the car and track. Accelerate too heavily out of a turn and you’ll spin; brake too heavily into a turn and you’ll lock up; hit the curb at the wrong angle, compromising your exit line, and you risk the car’s back-end kicking out on you. You can tinker with the car’s settings which may help you win your race.
For the more easy-going fans or ones with a stricter time limit you’re able to race 3 and 5-lap races, with shorter practice and qualifying sessions to get you straight into the meat of the action. It actually feel’s like your a racing driver.
The hub of the career mode is all tackled through your trusty laptop interface in the paddock. You’ll receive regular visits from your agent and team engineer, who’ll give you the same spiel every couple of race weekends, introducing rivalries with other drivers, setting race result aims and highlighting new opportunities for technical improvements. The ‘Rivalries’ feature is a good example of that, pitting you against other drivers on the grid and comparing your performances in each race, from lap-times to finishing positions. It’s a smart little touch that gives you someone to focus on beating with every new race, and it changes as the championship season progresses.
