F1 2012 Critic Reviews

F1 2012 is by far the most satisfying, all-encompassing F1 experience yet. From the immersive graphics to the full-on career mode and the brilliant Season Challenge, it's as though Codemasters have thought of everything. Highly recommended.

F1 2012 isn't without a small amount of bugs and areas to improve on (which Codemasters may have already addressed by the time this hits the site) but whether you're a current owner of an F1 title or are looking to jump in, this year's release is an easy sell.

Codemasters Racing's typical attention to detail and presentation values continue. This is a good evolution of the F1 series and the most enjoyable F1 game I have played since 1997's F1:CE.

Another podium-worthy effort from Codemasters that deserves to be doused in expensive champagne once more. F1 2012 is the best Formula One game Codies has made to date, welcoming newcomers with open arms, while refusing to dial down the realism for the established fans. A tough balancing act that F1 2012 pulls off with aplomb.

It's a title that demands skill and tactics over thoughtless speeding, and as such will likely lose the interest of less committed players.

Codemasters has tweaked the driving physics to work surprisingly well with a stock Xbox 360 controller.

It's hard to see how core F1 gameplay can be done better on current-gen and there's a wealth of gameplay challenges to explore. If you passed up F1 2011 because it was too similar to F1 2010, you'll find F1 2012 a massive leap forward.

There's no doubt F1 2012 is the best game in the series, in both content and execution, but it still feels to me like this franchise needs a year off.

All the polish, options and new modes are all well and good, but without a precise handling model and intelligent AI, then F1 2012 wouldn't be worth the upgrade, so the fact Codemasters have managed to spend the year getting that aspect right, plus improve all the bells and whistles is just so refreshing to see.

F1 2012 is racing at its finest and it successfully manages to be a serious simulation and available for new players at the same time. Those who take the time to understand the games mechanics will be rewarded with one of the best racing games of this generation.

Overall F1 2012 is a great step forward for the F1 series. It's extremely fun and highly addictive and with the amount of game modes available, it even caters for the recreational gamer. Although the AI could do with some beefing up, this is a racing game that should definitely be on your 'to get list'. I'm off to set some lap records in Monte Carlo.

Additions like local weather and longer races seem simple changes, but make F1 2012 even more realistic. Racing is so intense that it isn't hard to lose yourself in F1 2012. Not every mode is as elaborate and there are some minor faults, but F1 2012 is simply too complete to worry about that.

An evolutionary step in Codemasters' series, with great improvements in almost every area. Unmissable by every Formula One lover.

Codemasters once again proves their worth in the racing genre with undoubtedly the best of their F1 series to date.

The most authentic F1-Game to date - with improved gameplay and graphics. The AI might not be perfect and sometimes you can take a shortcut without being punished, but all in all F1 2012 is a great game with tons of content and options.

Breathless, edge-of-the-seat racing from the five red lights to the chequered flag.

F1 2012 provides licenses, tracks, new modes and the usual high demands to players. The racing simulation consolidates its claim to be the best F1 game on the market.

This installment of F1 series is another great hit from Codemasters. Few new features enhance the global formula, while the gameplay remains adaptive and funny.

F1 2012 is the best Formula One simulator in the present generation. You can feel the car every time you turn and the new modes are very entertaining and demanding. In F1 2012 you really are a Formula One driver.

While the driving in F1 2012 is as tough as ever, quicker modes and a greater emphasis on driver rivalries make it easier for a broader audience to get into. There's still plenty of room to make for a more exciting depiction of the sport, reflecting the trends of a given season, but Codemasters continues to push its strengths to create demanding and detailed racing gameplay.