F1 22 test: I could do without the lifestyle

On the track a more than competent, entertaining racing game. However, the new lifestyle elements seem out of place.

Whenever—or at least in many cases—developers put things into video games that they think add to the cool factor, I often think the opposite. Sure, lifestyle is as much a part of Formula 1 as it is of other popular sports, but does it seriously have to end up in video games? I don’t want a lifestyle sim that also opens the door for more microtransactions (like the brand shop with clothes bought with pitcoins) in a Formula 1 racing game. I just want to race, the whole circus around it can stay stolen from me. Just thinking about this post-Miami GP staging with a police escort through the interior of a football stadium… How much do you want to overdo it? Yes! But well, Americans are sometimes a bit… let’s say special.

Luckily, Codemasters isn’t overdoing it in F1 22, so far at least it’s been limited to the menu and the online aspects where you can show off your amazing lifestyle achievements and purchased virtual clothes or furniture. To whom exactly this is supposed to impress, I don’t know. Especially since most things don’t seem like things I’d be proud to rub in for others. More like something I could buy at the store around the corner. After all, some of them can also be unlocked as a reward. But overall, this new aspect is relatively snazzy. Fortunately, I can largely ignore it for my gaming experience, even if I don’t like the development. As long as Codemasters doesn’t start squeezing it all further into other game modes, I can live with that.

F1 22 moves competently on the racetrack

Let’s focus on the more exciting and entertaining things. Of course, that means driving. In this area you can expect the usual detailed changes that should make everything even more realistic, even more true to the original. Mercedes’ annoying “hobble” problem with the vehicles didn’t make it into the game and broadly speaking the cars drive as well as they did last year, nothing feels wrong or problematic. There were some rule changes for this season that will be adapted for virtual racing fun. These are changes whose consequences, such as more grip in corners, are more likely to be felt by those of you who have put many, many hours into F1 2021. Those who are more “casual” on the road will hardly feel the difference.

Things to expect from an officially licensed game include the new track in Miami, as well as major changes to existing courses in Spain, Australia and Abu Dhabi. All of this is implemented true to the original and in the usual quality, which means that the game is completely up to date. The same applies to the sprint races, which make their debut this year. Intended as a literal sprint between qualifying and the race on some race weekends, they give you another job opportunity and a chance to score more points.

New cinematic options for pit stops, formation laps and safety car periods are nice extras. If you want, you can lean back in such situations and don’t have to do anything yourself. Just watch like on TV and then you take direct control again. You won’t find the Braking Point story mode introduced last year this year. It’s not like it’s been scrapped, but prior to release, Codemasters said a two-year development cycle would be ideal. If everything stays the same, we can probably expect a return in F1 23 in 2023.

No story this time, but with supercars

With no braking point, F1 22 basically plays as you expect it to. You have the career (also for two players), drive races or jump into the online mode. Career innovations also play a role, such as additional events in a weekend, including the sprint races, as well as new entry points that effectively determine your available power and budget. A few minor additions here and there, but nothing earth-shattering.

The supercars are completely new. Not only are they part of F1 Life and exhibits in your virtual home, you can drive them too. There are also time trials or 40 Pirelli hot lap challenges to complete. You unlock them through normal gameplay, you can’t buy them. A nice addition for those who have been waiting for this as the cars are also part of F1 race weekends. It makes the game more authentic, sure, but it’s not something that first came to my mind as an innovation.

The situation is different with an addition that PC fans in particular were looking forward to: VR mode. It works in all modes of the game, but I couldn’t try it due to the lack of a PC VR headset. Colleague Benjamin Schmädig will give you a few more impressions as soon as Codemasters has gotten a grip on problems related to the Oculus Rift CV1. As for the future, I’m also hoping for support for PlayStation VR2 once it’s released.

What else is there to say? It’s an annual update with expected improvements that don’t make the game any worse. Which is an important finding. The virtual Formula 1 cars look good, sound good and drive good. There’s the usual variety of options for fine-tuning the challenge – if you find the right sweet spot in AI difficulty, you’ll have a blast – and like every year, I enjoy playing career mode to slowly build my team to the top.

F1 22 test – conclusion

So: buy F1 22? If you want the version with the most up-to-date track and driver data, there is no way around it. F1 Life or Supercars aren’t the big selling points for me, but maybe for die-hard fans they are. As mentioned, F1 22 doesn’t do much wrong and it’s a fun, well-functioning racing game that does a great job of showcasing Formula 1 virtually. A game to keep you busy and having fun for a long time. If that is enough for you as a reason to buy, there is little to be said against it.