F1 2012

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As well as the new young driver test mode, F1 2012 features a new "Champions Mode", in which the six World Champions competing in the 2012 season — Kimi Räikkönen, Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso and Michael Schumacher — will be styled after traditional end-of-level video gaming bosses, with the player challenged to beat them while racing in conditions that suit ea…

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Play Modes

91%

Audience ScoreBased on 893 reviews

graphics51 positive mentions

grinding3 negative mentions

F1 2012 offers a great racing experience with realistic handling and impressive graphics for its time.
The game features a variety of modes, including career, champions mode, and season challenge, providing plenty of replayability.
The sound design, especially the V8 engine noises, adds to the immersive experience of racing.

The penalty system is overly harsh, often punishing players for minor incidents or collisions caused by AI.
AI behavior can be inconsistent, leading to frustrating racing experiences where they block or crash into the player.
The game lacks sufficient customizability and has limited single-player content, making it less appealing for some players.

graphics
85 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
36%
4%
The graphics of F1 2012, despite being over a decade old, are still praised for their quality and performance, holding up well against newer titles. Many users appreciate the game's ability to run smoothly on lower-end systems while delivering decent visuals, although some note that certain aspects, like car liveries, can appear pixelated. Overall, the graphics are considered impressive for their time, making the game enjoyable for both casual players and F1 fans alike.
- “For a game that's 9 years old, the graphics still look decent and actually play pretty good.”
- “The graphics are outstanding for a 9-year-old game and it is perfect for any F1 fan that can't afford the new game or cannot run it.”
- “The graphics are still really nice, the gameplay is arguably the best it has ever been.”
- “The graphics are slightly better than 2010 and the game is a good simulation or a good arcade racer depending on what difficulty you set it at.”
- “F1 2012 in almost every regard was an improvement over 2011, yet the new engine used for '15 onwards makes the graphics look really old.”
- “I picked this up on sale and this is a decent game, but the graphics are a bit dated and only one form of braking, no e-brake for sharper turns or anything.”
gameplay
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
56%
33%
11%
Overall, the gameplay is highly praised for its engaging mechanics and enjoyable experience, with many users noting its depth and accuracy, particularly in car customization. While some comparisons to previous titles suggest a slight decline in fun, the game is still regarded as one of the best in the F1 series, with solid graphics complementing the gameplay. The introduction of a young driver program and a lengthy career mode further enhance the gameplay experience.
- “Indefatigable gameplay, much more fun than in the new games, a huge thanks to the developers!!!!!”
- “The graphics are still really nice, the gameplay is arguably the best it has ever been.”
- “Gameplay is brilliant and the graphics still hold up, especially with mods.”
- “I don't really like it for its graphics and gameplay!”
- “This one has a young driver program which slowly introduces you to the F1 game mechanics which was removed after F1 2013.”
- “Although being a quite old game, its mechanics and gameplay stood up for me.”
optimization
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
29%
21%
Overall, the game's optimization is mixed; while many users praise its graphics and smooth performance, especially on low-end systems, some report significant issues such as occasional stuttering, freezing, and severe lag that render it unplayable. Additionally, there are complaints about poor support for gaming peripherals and multiplayer functionality, indicating that the game's optimization could be improved.
- “The game looks great and has no issues with performance.”
- “I liked this game due to the fact that it's old but still, for its age, has good graphics and performance.”
- “Graphics are great, runs smoothly compared to other games of this graphics complexity.”
- “Game worked fine for about a month then very slow lagging when going to track... it runs in super slow motion. I tried everything on my computer to improve performance but nothing worked. Settings on Steam didn't help either. I got no support from Steam or Codemasters. Unplayable... it's a shame because it wasn't a great game.”
- “The game is not optimized.”
- “Poor support for gaming wheels, relentless use of redundant menu screens, and poor multiplayer performance yet again proves that this developer lost its heart and soul quite some time ago.”
music
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
40%
30%
The music in F1 2012 is widely praised as a standout feature, with a gripping soundtrack that enhances the overall gaming experience. Composed by Ian Livingstone, the music is noted for its quality and presence in various game menus and sessions, although some players expressed disappointment over the lack of actual songs in the paddock. Overall, the soundtrack contributes significantly to the game's atmosphere, earning high marks from reviewers.
- “The music grips you in a way you have never felt before.”
- “First of all, I came to the menu of course and heard the music, which is very good!”
- “The music composed by Ian Livingstone adds a lot to the experience; it's worth giving it a listen.”
- “Graphics are great, but I was a little disappointed with the soundtrack as it doesn't have actual songs played in the paddock.”
- “There is music in every menu and also in the garage during the sessions, but it feels repetitive.”
- “The soundtrack lacks variety and doesn't enhance the overall experience as much as I hoped.”
humor
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by its playful references to iconic F1 drivers and the absurdity of its game-breaking bugs, which some players find amusing rather than frustrating. The combination of fast-paced racing and quirky characterizations adds a lighthearted touch, making the experience both challenging and entertaining. Overall, players appreciate the game's comedic elements amidst its competitive nature.
- “Amazing game, funny to see that other people still play this game.”
- “I know this will be funny, but always remember this is the final officially-licensed F1 game we'll be seeing the legendary red baron Michael Schumacher along with other 5 champions: Fingerboy Vettel, Hammertime Hamilton, Samurai Matador Alonso, Smooth Smurf Button, and Ice Cream Man (leave me alone) Kimi... yep, you heard it right: 6 F1 champions inside this 2012 season in its time!”
- “Very hard, crazy, and funny game.”
stability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
40%
Overall, the game's stability is generally positive, with most users reporting smooth performance and minimal bugs. However, some players have noted issues such as AI pathing problems and occasional glitches, particularly in career mode. Despite these minor setbacks, the game runs well on mid-range hardware.
- “The v10's sound great and it runs great in 2022.”
- “I'm running this on just an i5 8600k (not buying a GPU until the 3080ti comes out) and it runs great.”
- “Nothing really popped out for me, so this game is not really buggy besides the odd pathing for the AI and some slow sections.”
- “Buggy as hell; Monaco will not save in career mode.”
- “Really enjoying the co-op, but it still has the traditional glitches of Codemasters' previous titles.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its beauty and intensity, particularly during rainy conditions, which enhances the overall experience. Reviewers note that it effectively captures the tense excitement of "race day," complemented by a stylish presentation.
- “Especially when it rains, it has a beautiful atmosphere and intensity.”
- “It's got plenty of style to boot, and I think it captures that tense 'race day' atmosphere.”
story
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The story in F1 2011 is noted as being significantly different from its predecessors, suggesting a fresh narrative approach that sets it apart in the racing genre.
- “F1 2011 offers a whole different story.”
- “F1 2011 is a whole different story.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
Players appreciate the enhanced replayability offered by new challenges, including the Champions Mode and cooperative championships, which cater to those with limited time for full-length races. The variety in gameplay elements such as AI, weather, and damage models further enriches the experience, encouraging multiple playthroughs.
- “The graphics, AI, weather, handling, tire wear, and damage model all contribute to new challenges in the game, enhancing replayability with features like Champions Mode and co-op championships.”
- “Champions Mode adds significant replayability, especially for those who don't have much time for full-length races.”
- “Graphics, AI, weather, handling, tire wear, damage model, etc. The new challenges in the game add to the replayability, with Champions Mode and co-op championship.”
- “The Champions Mode also adds some replayability, especially since I don't have much time for full-length races.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, citing cumbersome menus and a lack of accessibility options that hinder the overall experience.
- “The grinding feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “Progression is painfully slow, and the constant need to grind becomes a chore.”
- “The lack of variety in grinding activities makes it feel like a mindless task.”