Things can go fast in Formula 1. Literally, of course: Formula 1 cars go really fast. Vrrroooooooeeemzjiiieeennnggzjengzjengzjengvrrroooooeeemmmm!!! However, for now I mean it mostly metaphorically. You see, during my F1 22 preview from a few months ago, Charles Leclerc was still a street length ahead of the championship. Dozens of points. But that lead has now completely gone up in smoke. Literal smoke emanating from the Ferrari power unit.
Another person who can talk about the transience of success: Sir Lewis Hamilton. Went for a record-breaking eighth title last year, this year is the foot wipe of newbie George Russell. It can go that fast…
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Why this almost poetic introduction? Well, mainly because I get paid per word and I just managed to smuggle a hundred of them, but also because the above applies more than ever to F1 22. Codemasters’ series has been a household name since 2010, and apart from a few slightly lesser parts (F1 2014 springs to mind) of high quality. The games pulled me through it into one of the sport’s darkest decades, with first Red Bull with Vettel and then Mercedes nipping any competition or tension in the bud. F1 on my Xbox or PlayStation was a lot more spectacular than watching TV for almost ten years.
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This year (and secretly also a bit last year) those roles have been reversed. I now block my agenda every race weekend, stock up on beer and nuts and am glued to the Viaplay stream. In F1 the game I then recreate the Grand Prix of that weekend, but it no longer gives me the same thrill as in 2020. Or 2019. Or all those years before.
I don’t know exactly why. Does it have to do with the fact that real-life Formula 1 action is now much more unpredictable than what you simulate yourself? Or is it because the F1 series has not been quite the same since the takeover by EA?
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Before we get an answer to this intriguing question, it must be said that F1 22 is indeed a complete package. Almost everything from previous F1 titles is included, including the Career Mode with F2 integration (also for 2 players), the MyTeam career in which you build your own F1 dynasty, very extensive online and offline multiplayer AND of course the possibility for single races plus time trials. Braking Point, the Drive to Survice-like story mode from F1 2021 is not in it, and although that was already announced, I think it’s a shame.
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Instead, F1 22 has the so-called Pirelli Hot Laps. Challenges (drifts, slalom through gates, etc) that you don’t do with F1 cars, but with super cars such as the Ferrari F8 Tributo, Mercendes AMG or McLaren Artura. Funny idea, but personally I don’t necessarily want this in an F1 game. For ‘normal’ cars I already have Gran Turismo. Or Forza. In addition, you notice that Codemasters still has some work to do in terms of handling the cumbersome, slippery super cars. That is definitely not at the same level of realism as the F1 control model.
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Also new is F1 Life. And it’s here that the game really takes off. You can furnish a The Sims-esque space with limited interior options, licks of paint and collectible super cars. Avatars of other players (customizable via the in-game clothing store) can then ‘visit’. Okayéééé… It really adds 0.0 to the experience and the only reason it’s in F1 22 seems cynical: letting kiddos pull the credit card for a handful of ‘Pitcoins’ for new furniture and/or shirts. We have to wait for loot boxes to come into the game. With Legendary Items. Ennuh, those tickets with those Driver Ratings; they look very familiar to me… EA won’t be secretly planning to launch F1UT… will it?
No, I’m not going to judge F1 22 too much on it just yet, because F1 Life in its current form is marginal. But either way you look at it, precious development time has gone into this nonsense, which could also have been invested in rider AI. Or a few extra Ray Tracing sunbeams for all I care. In addition, EA has the appearance against it. If the Americans even smell dollars, they foam at the mouth. You are not going to tell me that the F1 series is suddenly different.
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Hey, F1 22 isn’t a bad game is it. It’s almost impossible: Codemasters knows too well how to digitally put an F1 car on the track, and now also how to conjure spectacular racing action with the new, big fat 18-inch wheels on the asphalt. Everything looks just that little bit fresher and cleaner, although character models and also the ‘deadness’ of things outside and around the track start to stand out. It’s still possible, but you can see from everything that F1 22 runs on a refurbished last-gen engine. You also notice this in the AI, which is sometimes smart, but often predictable and not very dynamic. They occasionally make small mistakes without you around, which is nice to see. Codemasters must continue on that basis.
In conclusion, Codemasters will not get away with the handful of cosmetic gimmicks, superficial extras and driver/track updates that justify F1 22’s existence next year. I demand at the very least a lot smarter artificial intelligence and more unpredictable racing, and if possible the announcement of a new engine and a heavy Career Mode upgrade. And while we’re at it, add Season 2 of Braking Point as well.
If not, the unconditional love between me and Codemasters’ F1 streak that has lasted over a decade and has seen me through some of my darkest F1 periods may come to an end. All gone in one or two parts. Oh well, in Formula 1 things can go fast…
F1 22 will be available June 28 on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One and PC. For this review, the game was played on PlayStation 5.
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