The first big milestone F1 23 is that, even if you come from the previous installment, you manage to notice the news and changes between both video games driving at 282 kilometers per hour and with attention on the road. In the case of an annual saga where the weight of official licenses is decisive, that means a double victory. The second great milestone in Codemasters’ love letter to the premier class of motorsport is that, in addition, it picks up its courageous Braking Point narrative bet right where it left off two seasons ago. And it does good.
The official game of formula 1 world championship returns retaining everything that you already liked from the previous installment: an impeccable playable section open to all player profiles, an absolutely impeccable use of the original licenses, modes so you don’t get bored and the effort to offer the passion for competitive motorsport from all angles and for all players. Especially those who made the leap to Virtual Reality.
But, of course, Codemasters and EA Sports are fully aware of the enormous challenge that is to face and overcome the only rival that F1 23 ahead: the installment that they themselves launched last year. A F1 22 practically faultless in each of its sections, although with a notable absence: that daring story mode seen in F1 2021 with strong narrative components. An ingenious way of experiencing Formula 1 from within which, as we mentioned, come back all the way.
Which is not to say that F1 23 It is the same as what we saw the reincorporation of Braking Point a year ago: unlike the official competition not held in Italy, we were able to compete in the Enzo and Dino Ferrari racetrack (adjusting the weather before), as well as other circuits already available and some of the new ones in this installment. The feeling we are left with is positive: Codemaster does not seek or aspire to offer a revolution, but rather has turned to perfecting what was already insurmountable. And he’s done it.
Revalidating the unconditional passion for Formula 1 with colors and good ideas
There are three ways to play F1 23: with a steering wheel, without it and through virtual reality. Technically we could say that there are four if we add the experience of Steam Deck, which we already anticipate is going like silk, but for practical purposes we ran into the same gap: playing with a controller of a lifetime is not the same, and for Prácticos is the system that the general public uses when playing. Codemasters has been fully aware of this for years and in this installment it takes the initiative.
In our games to F1 23 we have noticed changes in the physics of the cars and their aerodynamics that we will soon get used to: both the way in which each car acclimatizes to the asphalt and the way in which we notice the reaction when facing other drivers both in the curves and gives new nuances to each game and makes the response behind the wheel somewhat more reliable. Especially, if we don’t have a steering wheel.
The concept goes through technology Precision Drive implemented in this installment, which seeks to adjust the response of our car much more faithfully to our performance with the sticks and buttons, regardless of whether we have opted for a beginner’s driving style or want a deeper simulation.
And despite the fact that with this addition you will not replace that very expensive flyer that you bought, the change and the direction that this delivery is greatly appreciated.
On a visual level, Codemasters has another surprise: in F1 23 Its authority in the engine is revalidated, but it is more than clear that we come from previous installments in which we have already become fully accustomed to realism. So they have opted to give a new color to the races. Literally.
The idea is simple: in F1 2023 has been applied a new color coding system which, in addition, affects both lighting and shadows and, by extension, everything that has to do with the presence of weather in the races. To what extent is it noticeable in the games? Judge for yourself.
Capture of F1 23 with the new color coding system
F1 Screenshot 22
While most of our games are played from the pilot’s view, this color treatment is applied to the entire game and leads to a much deeper degree of overall realism. Although, as we mentioned, on a visual level we will notice the changes more in the differences applied to the designs of the single-seaters from one year to the next than in the improvements of the game itself.
Thus, and as a whole, we find that Codemasters has achieved that, even if we have invested enormous amounts of hours in the previous installment, we can perceive the differences from one to the other during the course of each race. And that is not easy. Although if what we are looking for is novelty in the strictest sense, we already anticipate the addition of two new race locations: Las Vegas Street Circuit y Losail International Circuit in Qatar.
That said, Codemasters has an even greater incentive for fans of the video game saga for this season: la secuela de Braking Point.
Braking Point 2: maximum rivalry inside and outside the circuits
For some time now, and since its entry into Electronic Arts, Codemasters has taken a fancy to include narrative experiences in their driving games. Either in Grid Legends or the F1 2021 with Braking Point. And if the absence of this last mode during last season seemed to indicate that it was something specific, his return with a new great production in F1 23 confirms that the English were only gaining momentum to give it continuity.
Despite the apparent gap year of Aiden Jacksonthe protagonist of the plot, Braking Point 2 The story continues where it left off: Jackson has become the team’s star driver Konnersport Butler Racing Team in a completely original story and integrated between the official championships and that starts in 2022.
Now, in this sequel, your rivals and the biggest challenge you will face will not be the superstars of the real world, but your teammate. Devon Butler. Who, by the way, not only complies with all the clichés of the villain from the manual within what is expected in a story about motor competitions, but is also the son of the president of our team.
How do you integrate a narrative campaign into a game like F1 23? Codemasters returns to betting on the mockumentary format in which the stories are interspersed with statements by the protagonists, putting us in context with what is expected of us before the next race and giving shape to a rivalry between Aiden and Devon that explodes in different ways in each chapter.
The version we had access to in VidaExtra allowed us to access the first three chapters of Braking Point 2giving us room to do some other experiment: in each race there are specific objectives that can be easily overcome (depending on our skill and difficulty) but that we are the protagonists does not give us carte blanche to anything.
If we overtake illegally, even to meet our objective, we will be penalized as in any official competition. What’s more, we had to give up our position on several occasions due to illegal overtaking. On the other hand, in one of the chapters we were proposed to overtake Devon and we did it the first time. However, it was curious that his car always insisted on overtaking us even when we were gradually climbing the positions. If we had kept the position, would he have reacted the same?
On the other hand, in Braking Point 2 We will also be able to play our cards down from the car: we will have to answer the press and our words will have consequences. In addition, there is a submenu in which we will not only have to answer emails and calls, but also check our popularity as pilots, enjoy the effect of our statements or assume our words and unfulfilled promises.
We know that Codemasters wanted to bring the vision of Braking Point 2 beyond the original integrating the story of a new protagonist, Callie Mayer, who has just been crowned the Formula 2 champion. Although, to be fair, we didn’t run into her in the first three chapters. It will be time to wait for the full version of F1 23. The good news is that It won’t be long before it arrives.
The ultimate F1 experience? Codemasters won’t settle for less
Our impressions of F1 23 They are great, but we want to try many of the disabled contents in the menu itself, including one way F1 World that seeks to base a system of progress and fidelity through daily, weekly and seasonal proposals. Betting on variety both individually and in its multiplayer.
In this regard, none of the options allowed us to enjoy a multiplayer game, although we have two good news: the PC version offers Remote Play Together and fiddling with the game options we have come across that there will be cross play.
Of course, despite the fact that we postponed our impressions regarding the multiplayer, and unlike last year’s edition, the driving experience in Virtual Reality is already perfectly playable, we can even take pictures to see them in stereoscopic format and, don’t worry, We are going to deny it, we are counting on it to arrive at launch. That is, in a very short time.
F1 23 will go on sale on June 16 on PlayStation and Xbox consoles, as well as on PC via Steam, the Epic Games Store and the EA app. And beware, that on consoles Electronic Arts will offer the Double Version, with which we can update our copy of PS4 and Xbox One for free to have the corresponding ninth-generation ones.
Although, those passionate about Formula 1 will close the spring in style between the imminent race at the Circuit of Catalonia and the Canadian Grand Prix, between both events an appointment that wants to be unavoidable on its own merits: the alternative to the category Codemasters queen of motorsport. The ultimate F1 experience? It may not be the same as having your own car, but F1 23 already has the ingredients to be the closest thing.
F1 23 Videogame for PlayStation 5, Spanish
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC Multiplayer: Yes Developer: Codemasters Company: Electronic Arts Release: June 16, 2023
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