F1 2022 (PS5) Review
On the Podium
- Great presentation
- Numerous aids and gameplay options
- Excellent 4K and 60fps performance
In the Pits
- Graphics not a huge improvement
- Unnecessary microtransactions
Overview
Having developed Formula One games nigh-on annually for more than a decade, Codemasters certainly knows what it’s doing. Its racing game engine is indisputably up there with the best and its grasp on the motorsport sees the game regularly used in pro-level simulators. That’s the case once again with F1 22.
However, this is also the first in the series released after the studio was acquired by Electronic Arts, so on top of the fine racing experience and technical knowhow, it gains many of the trademark features that are synonymous with the EA Sports brand. For better and for worse.
At its worst, that means in-app purchasing has been shoehorned into the game in a far more overt way than ever before. On the flipside, it can also be argued that this is the most accessible and best-looking F1 title yet, with a professional presentation and well-polished upgrade over last year.
That starts with the opening menu which shows the trappings from your F1 Life – a new, largely superfluous addition that allows you to collect (and purchase) cars, new clobber and furniture for your virtual home. In all honesty, this might interest some for a short while, but considering it has little impact on the game itself, we suspect most will skim over it. Still, it makes the game look like it has more depth and sets the stall nicely for a better-looking front end.
This is seen across all modes, including the continued integration of F2 racing that was introduced in F1 2020 and given more prominence in F1 2021 – with the ability to start a career in the tier below Formula One and earn yourself a seat in one of the better-known teams. This also allows you to learn the race calendar and GP tracks (which is the same as the main event) before you progress to a more powerful car. It also satisfies the fanboy in us, greatly.
The less savoury introduction is the ability to spend real cash on Pitcoins to then purchase in-game items. But it’s largely ignorable, being primarily used for cosmetic trinkets and it's not needed to enjoy the game as a whole.
The other modes are largely standard fare. You have the aforementioned career, which ditches the Braking Point story from last year’s outing to keep things more simple. This can be played in single or with two-players, and there’s the continued option of forming your own F1 team from scratch and running it as well as driving the car.
On top of that, there are solo game modes that include time trials and hot laps – with the latter putting you on the main race circuits but in supercars. There are also the usual multiple multiplayer races to undertake, including weekly events and local, split-screen play.
It’s a fine package all told, and that’s without touching on the racing itself. As in former F1 games, the racing is exemplary. Codemasters’ physics engine is superb and the cars handle exactly as they should, especially when you have all of the driver aids switched off. Thankfully, there are so many options you can adjust to make it as difficult or simple as you like.
When talking about its predecessors with friends in the past, many have always complained that the learning curve is too steep – but not so here, as your racing experience can be fine-tuned exactly how you want, even if you want the aids to make it as basic as possible.
That means, no matter your skill level, you’ll get something from F1 22 (with a new optional Adaptive AI to keep up the challenge as you get improve). And, with the overall presentation, plus the success of shows like Drive to Survive on Netflix, we suspect it might appeal to a wider audience than ever before.
Graphics
In contrast to the menu systems and overall presentation, the in-game graphics have only really been tweaked rather than overhauled this year – not least on the current generation consoles. The cars themselves look a tad different – after all, the real-world equivalents have gone through a fair few changes themselves. However, it feels like there are few real changes. Some extra detail has been added, but overall each track looks largely the same.
To be fair, the next-gen versions of last year’s game looked great anyway and you are getting a superb 4K 60fps on the PlayStation 5 (the version tested) and Xbox Series X. Ray tracing returns too, but not yet in the main gameplay, as it’s reserved for cutscenes and the menu.
Another feature first introduced in F1 21 for the PS5 and Xbox Series X is 120Hz. That also makes a comeback, as the performance mode in the graphics settings. It relies on you owning a 120Hz TV, of course, and you get a reduced resolution of around 1440p (on PS5 anyway) but it does run as smooth as butter when engaged, so it’s nice to have the option.
Overall, the graphics of F1 22 are beautiful, especially on tracks with more to look at and in wet weather races. Just don’t expect it to look that different to last year.
Audio
The F1 games have always featured excellent audio mixes and this is no exception. We tested the game through a 5.1 system plus a pair of headphones using the PS5’s 3D Audio capabilities and the spacing is superb, even virtually. You also get Dolby Atmos support on Xbox consoles, but we haven’t had a chance to listen to that version.
Audio settings don’t stop there neither, Codemasters gives you many options to fine tune the sound experience, including the choice of the game’s commentator. You can also change the on-board mix from a more game-like cinematic experience (the default) to something more akin to an F1 TV broadcast, and can even choose a mix that represents what the driver is most likely to hear during a race.
Conclusion
F1 2022 (PS5) Review
The stamp of EA Sports is very much evident on this latest F1 game, with the presentation and personality owing much to the likes of its FIFA and Madden NFL franchises, but that shouldn’t put you off. Bar the in-game purchasing nonsense, F1 22 is a solid racing game that offers so many options that it can just as capably appeal to a newbie as it would to an experienced pro racer.
There are few graphical tweaks when it comes to the tracks, but this is made up for by the overall presentation boost. The game is accomplished and, most importantly, great fun... much like the real Formula One season is panning out to be.
Trailer
Scores
Gameplay
Graphics
Audio
Longevity
Overall
The games console used in this review was kindly supplied by our gaming partner Smyths Toys Gaming, the No.1 choice for next-gen Gaming |