F1 2014
- October 16, 2014
- Codemasters
- 460h median play time
F1 2014 is a very enjoyable game, however it falls short of being better than “good” due to too many similarities with the previous year’s entry and lack of content.
"F1 2014" is a racing simulation game that recreates the 2014 Formula One season. The game features all the official teams, drivers, and circuits, as well as an extensive career mode and various multiplayer options. Advanced physics and handling models add to the realism, making it a must-have for F1 fans. No information available on the release date, developer, or publisher.
Reviews
- The game features updated cars, tracks, and rules for the 2014 season, providing a fresh experience for F1 fans.
- The handling model has improved, making the cars feel more realistic and challenging to drive.
- The graphics are visually appealing, and the game runs well on lower-end PCs, making it accessible to a wider audience.
- The game is criticized for being a reskin of F1 2013, lacking significant new content or features.
- The AI behavior is often erratic, leading to frustrating racing experiences, especially during qualifying and race starts.
- The removal of the Young Driver Test and F1 Classics mode has disappointed many fans, reducing the depth of the career experience.
- graphics77 mentions
- 53 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many praising their quality and realism, especially for a title released in 2014. While some players note significant improvements over previous iterations, others criticize the lack of substantial upgrades and outdated elements. Overall, the visuals are generally considered impressive, particularly on lower-end PCs, but there are calls for further enhancements in future releases.
“Not going to lie, for a game made in 2014, this is way ahead of its time, with wonderful graphics, realism and class. It's perfect for low-spec PC gamers; I would recommend it, as it has a good career and realistic tracks.”
“On the plus side, the graphics are amazing even at lower settings, and the attention to detail off-track (such as entering & exiting the car) are nice additions that could make for a very realistic experience.”
“A good looking game, handles well in my opinion, gorgeous scenery, amazing graphics, impressive sound, and a really challenging AI for those who love the sport.”
“This game is great, but only if we take away the facts that it doesn't have classic cars even though F1 2013 did, the traction and the wheelspin you get out of every corner, AI being absolutely trash, arguably worse graphics than 2013, awful lighting...”
“Far Cry (2004) and GTA IV (2008) have way better astonishing graphics than this!”
“The graphics haven't improved really.”
- gameplay25 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
Overall, the gameplay of the game is generally well-received, with many users praising its smooth controls, realistic mechanics, and good balance with graphics. However, some reviews note issues such as repetitive elements, bugs affecting performance, and a lack of significant innovation compared to previous titles. Despite these criticisms, the game is considered enjoyable, especially for racing enthusiasts seeking a challenge.
“Amazing gameplay”
“Good balance of gameplay and graphics.”
“Controls are smooth, gameplay is very good.”
“Why did I buy this game? The gameplay really sucks.”
“Just like F1 2013; repetitive gameplay and reused visuals/audio, just with more corporate sponsors for $$$ omg!”
“Presence of the 8th gear isn’t much of an addition in terms of gameplay.”
- optimization15 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game varies significantly among users; while some report smooth performance on low-end PCs and commend the lack of bugs, others experience issues such as crashes and overheating graphics cards on higher settings. Additionally, players note that car performance does not accurately reflect real-world data, impacting the overall experience. Overall, the game is generally well-optimized for lower settings, but higher performance setups may encounter challenges.
“Playable on low-performance computers.”
“As fun as F1 has always been, the PC port is really well optimized; no problems at all. :3”
“F1 2014 has not that many bugs, maybe none, and runs smoothly and fast while still having great graphics.”
“Aside from that, despite this game releasing after round 16 of a 19-race season, the car performance is completely off.”
“I've been abusing flashbacks, but not because I am a noob, but because the handling was very imprecise due to the insufficient performance.”
“The performance - my graphics card is overheating on high settings.”
- story10 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its lack of depth, with some users noting it feels non-existent or akin to casual mobile games. While a few players express a desire for a more developed narrative, particularly in career modes, others feel that previous iterations had a more engaging storyline that has since been diminished. Overall, there is a strong call for a more substantial and cohesive story.
“Epic story.”
“There could be a bit more story, but I have wanted that with all sports games.”
“Bring us a proper career story line.”
“This game has no story.”
“Can we have a storyline, please?”
“Bring us a proper career storyline.”
- humor7 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by its quirky elements, such as the amusing design of new cars and their gear sounds, as well as the potential for comedic gameplay scenarios, like blocking other racers. Players find the absurdity of certain features, like the "halo" obstructing views, to be entertaining, contributing to an overall lighthearted experience.
“It's hilarious.”
“I found it quite hilarious and just used a flashback, so I didn't really find it as a con :p”
“Funny game”
- stability7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- -29 % neutral mentions
- 86 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting no glitches and enjoying the experience, while others have encountered frequent bugs, crashes, and issues with online play, particularly in the 2015 version. Overall, the 2014 release is praised for its stability compared to the problematic 2015 installment, which is described as a "buggy horrendous mess."
“Still a nice fun game... no glitches for me.”
“The game runs smoothly without any crashes or bugs.”
“I appreciate how stable the gameplay is; it really enhances the experience.”
“All in all, 2014 is the greatest so far in the form of PC F1 games, since '15 is very buggy, has broken wheel support, and, especially for PC, game crashes.”
“2015 is a buggy, horrendous mess that I never got to play due to bugs, crashing, and ultimately Steam refunding.”
“Desync and sidepod glitches still plague online races, and the cars are not realistic or fun to drive at all.”
- music6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some users criticizing the engine sounds as grating and the overall soundtrack as average. While the main menu music evokes nostalgia for titles like Grand Prix 4, there are no significant improvements in the audio experience compared to the previous version.
“The main menu music is quite nostalgic and reminds me of Grand Prix 4 music.”
“There are absolutely no changes in 2014 compared to 2013, to be honest. The only differences are that the car sounds are different, handling is way worse, and the game music is different.”
“The menu music reminds me of Grand Prix 4 music.”
“The menu music reminds me of Grand Prix 4 music.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
F1 2014 is praised for its high replayability, with users noting that it offers a more engaging experience compared to its predecessor, F1 2013, particularly when using an Xbox 360 controller on PC.
“Infinitely replayable.”
“F1 2014 is more playable than F1 2013 on the Xbox 360 controller.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has been criticized as a cash grab, with users expressing disappointment over the lack of licensed content, specifically the absence of the Williams Martini livery due to rights issues. This has led to a perception that the game prioritizes profit over quality and authenticity.
“This game is a pathetic cash grab and I feel stupid for trusting that it wouldn't be terrible.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game enjoyable initially, but many feel that the AI can make the experience tedious and boring over time.
“Still having fun playing it, but the AI makes it tedious and boring at some point.”
“The grinding feels endless and often detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
“I find myself repeating the same tasks over and over, which makes the experience feel monotonous.”
Critic Reviews
F1 2014 Review
F1 2014 is a very enjoyable game, however it falls short of being better than “good” due to too many similarities with the previous year’s entry and lack of content.
70%F1 2014 review
With its fundamentals unchanged and last years foray into classic cars removed, F1 2014 provides very little beyond a perfunctory car and track update.
67%F1 2014 Review
All in all, F1 2014 feels like a half-hearted attempt at providing an annual update. The development team is at work on a “new F1 experience” for Xbox One that’s due to come out at the start of the 2015 season, which kicks off in less than six months. Whether or not that’s the cause of this somewhat unfocused and lazy-feeling effort is a point for debate.
60%