F1 2021 Critic Reviews

‘F1 2021’ builds on the solid foundation of its predecessors and has retained their strengths. The sense of speed is phenomenal, and thanks to the many driving aids, both a beginner, a seasoned simulation racer and everyone in between will find plenty of challenge on the track. The game also takes advantage of the powerful hardware of the latest Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X, thereby also eliminating one of its biggest shortcomings: the miserably long loading times between races are a thing of the past.

F1 2021 continues to grow on what 2020 built. It’s a technical, story driver, fast, and fun ride. It’s a continuation into a franchise that has become what any F1 fan, or honestly racing fan in general has been wanting for years.

With one of the most comprehensive Career Modes available in a sports game and enough options to make it accessible to anyone, F1 2021 is enjoyable for newcomers and veterans alike.

F1 2021 is the complete package. Braking Point is an excellent single-player experience, driving is perfection, and there's so much to do. It really does have everything, regardless of whether you are a fan of the sport or not.

F1 2021 is, without a doubt, Codemasters’ best F1 game to date. It’s just a shame that coronavirus hasn’t made its career mode quite as accurate as some might hope it to be, and some bits here and there seem to be lacking a bit of polish. Still, if you’re open to look past such issues, you’ll find a deep, rewarding racing experience that’s highly customisable. And if you delve into Braking Point, you’ll also find a story mode that genuinely adds to the package. Whether you’re an ardent F1 fan or not, F1 2021 is likely to be a contender for the accolade of best racing game of the year, that’s for sure.

F1 2021 is the most fun you can have in a Formula driver’s cockpit. Braking Point brings the kind of drama you didn’t realize you needed in your racing life, even if it does get a little cringeworthy on occasion. This wonderful looking and sounding Formula racer shines on the PS5, even if some of the platform’s features are under-utilized at this time. With some sense of normalcy slowly returning to the sporting world at large, F1 2021 represents a great way to follow along with the F1 season while attempting to make a virtual name for yourself, and nowhere else does the sport come alive more than in F1 2021.

Another stellar sim that isn’t quite as assured on PS5 as you might hope. But story mode is worth playing and career mode is the best in the business.

F1 2021 surpasses its predecessor again and, along with the career co-op mode, makes a fantastic racing game likewise for beginners and experts.

Despite some flaws, Codemasters delivers the total package with F1 2021. A huge amount of options and licensed content are only topped by the superb handling and the great graphics – especially on PS5. F1 2021 sets its own bar a bit higher than before, without being a revolutionary on its own right.

There isn’t a ton to dislike about F1 2021. The latest version adds to the series’ win streak with another strong iteration. With a few additional layers to the visual and audio presentation, we could have been looking at a form of racing perfection. As it is, F1 2021 is still really good.

F1 2021 continues the excellent playable feel boosted from its previous installment. The arrival of the new generation of consoles brings us a game that takes few risks, but does not make it worse for that: it is the best opportunity to enjoy F1.

F1 2021 is a great racing game, specially once you move into the car and feel the excellent handling and the great performance. Modes (specially Braking Point and classic content) could have been better, but you will feel like Hamilton and Verstappen racing each other for the victory.

Whether you're a Drive to Survive-looking casual fan or a hardcore racing fanatic who knows the precise sector times at Spa-Francorchamps from the past ten years by heart, F1 2021 is literally for everyone's Maximum enjoyment.

F1 2021 is a solid, full-bodied chapter full of content. It probably represents one of the best hybridizations between simulation and accessibility on the market today.

F1 2021 incorporates (and improves) all the features of the previous F1 games developed by Codemasters. Driving is fun and can be adapted to suit both newbies and those looking for a sufficiently complex experience, although players who look for a full simulation might be slightly disappointed. Game modes are numerous, varied and well structured. Both those who love to run alone and those who prefer to compete with (or against) other players will find something that will keep them busy for months.

F1 2021's new story mode and level of customisation and accessibility make it perfect for hardened racing fans and those looking to take the genre for a spin.

F1 2021 arrives with the clear premise of being continuist and at the same time introducing improvements among what has worked well during these past deliveries. The inclusion of its story mode under the name of Braking Point gives a real breath of fresh air to a trite season mode that, while entertaining, needed this twist.

With a bunch of smart additions, F1 2021 is a cracking simulator for both die-hard fans and newcomers. The Braking Point story mode doesn't have a particularly compelling narrative, but it's a brilliant gateway into the motorsport and a primer for the wider game. Two Player Career, the Expert driving style, Real Season Start, and more make this the most customisable and accessible iteration yet, allowing you to play how you like across the game's excellent career options. Of course, the driving itself seals the deal, and it's a winner on that front. This is a no-brainer for F1 fans, but it's also a fantastic entry for newbie drivers to start with.

F1 2021 is one of the broadest depictions of the sport ever created, building on familiar cars and handling alongside returning multiplayer, esports, and My Team career modes, while the new Braking Point story gives you a taste of the teammate drama you loved to watch (and mock) in Netflix's Drive to Survive.

This is about as realistic as you can get for a console racing game, but don't let that intimidate you. F1 2021 is the total package, a Day 1 purchase for racing fans that is sure to win over newcomers with ease.