F1 2018

With superb, customisable handling and insane attention to detail, F1 2018 is the ultimate representation of Formula One racing, that almost anyone can play.

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MAKE HEADLINES in F1 2018. F1 2018 is the official videogame of the 2018 FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP. The new game immerses players into the world of Formula 1 more than ever before.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

84%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,646 reviews

graphics86 positive mentions

optimization19 negative mentions

Great atmosphere and immersion with improved graphics and sound.
Fun and challenging gameplay with a high skill ceiling, especially in career mode.
Good physics that lean towards simulation, providing a satisfying driving experience.

AI can be overly aggressive and may cause unfair penalties for players.
Multiplayer experience is plagued with bugs, lag, and a toxic community.
Some features, like the penalty system and user interface, are poorly designed and frustrating.

graphics
173 mentions
50 % positive mentions
49 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The graphics in this game have received widespread praise for their realism and detail, often described as stunning and a significant improvement over previous iterations. Many users highlight the immersive environments, realistic car models, and overall visual quality, making it a standout feature of the game. However, some players have reported performance issues, such as frame drops and graphical glitches, particularly in complex scenarios.
- “The graphics are amazing.”
- “Amazing graphics, if you are an F1 fan you are definitely going to love this game.”
- “The updated visuals and sounds add together for a whole experience that is unrivaled by any previous title, the detail in the cars and different areas of the game are honestly impressive and immersive.”
- “Graphics and physics from 1998.”
- “I am running this game on a rig that is above the recommended specs on ultra low graphics settings and getting lag spikes every so often with street circuits.”
- “This game suffers from massive frame lag frame drop issues that are not easy to fix ... I was not able to solve the frame drop issues in the 119 minutes I experimented with the game.”
gameplay
79 mentions
37 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is generally praised for its immersive experience, realistic physics, and improved mechanics compared to previous versions, offering a blend of simulation and arcade elements. However, some players have reported frustrating bugs, annoying media interactions, and a lack of depth in career mode, which can detract from the overall enjoyment. Despite these issues, many find the driving mechanics responsive and the game visually appealing, making it a solid choice for racing enthusiasts.
- “Immersive gameplay with awesome graphics...”
- “The driving mechanics of this game are a massive improvement over previous versions.”
- “The new ERS management system adds a whole new layer of gameplay.”
- “This game has some of the most annoying bugs and game mechanics, from the D3D crashes to the moronic reporter, to track acclimatization (the most frustrating chore I've ever experienced in a racing game).”
- “New gameplay mechanics which straight up do nothing except mess up everything you're working for; monotonous gameplay and a terrible online community don't help the experience.”
- “For general gameplay, the damage system is the same from the last four games; in other words, it’s bad.”
optimization
48 mentions
19 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
40 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting persistent stuttering, frame drops, and audio issues, even on high-end systems. While some users acknowledge improvements over previous titles, the overall consensus is that significant performance problems remain, particularly in multiplayer modes and during high-speed racing. Despite these issues, the game is praised for its graphics and gameplay mechanics, but many reviewers recommend caution for those sensitive to optimization concerns.
- “This is probably the best and the most optimized F1 game ever to be made.”
- “The upgrade system is also great and you can eventually feel a difference in the car's performance after you've strung a few upgrades in a certain department.”
- “The graphics and optimization are much, much better than F1 2017.”
- “Performance is awful; freeze frames and frame drops are common!”
- “Driving is challenging and AI is better, but the game suffers from optimization issues, which causes stuttering at times.”
- “In general, the game seems poorly optimized, too.”
stability
43 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is heavily criticized, with numerous reports of screen freezes, stuttering, and frame drops that significantly disrupt gameplay. Many users express frustration over persistent bugs that have remained unaddressed since previous versions, leading to a lack of confidence in the game's performance, particularly in multiplayer modes. While some players find the overall experience enjoyable, the frequent technical issues detract from its potential as a racing simulator.
- “Screen freezes and stuttering, please fix the game, Codemasters.”
- “Random freezes and stutters will make you crash the car or lose steering during a flying lap. This issue has been known since the 2016 version and still hasn't been patched by Codemasters.”
- “Street circuits are poorly optimized, with screen freezes making it nearly unplayable and extremely frustrating.”
story
21 mentions
24 % positive mentions
62 % neutral mentions
14 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its focus on racing and career progression rather than a deep narrative, while others express disappointment over the lack of engaging storylines and repetitive elements in career mode. Some users highlight improvements in storytelling compared to previous versions, but many still desire a more immersive and dramatic narrative experience akin to other sports games. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the racing is enjoyable, the story component could benefit from further development.
- “Fantastic racing game, great realism, awesome story mode.”
- “I feel like the actual story and roleplaying aspects are very well done in this game and are an improvement over the already good F1 2017.”
- “Let us play out a real drama, a real story that unfolds through the season.”
- “Career mode is pretty simple, no storylines and repeated horrible interviews which are not skippable. Given that the new game has come out and the number of players playing this one has dropped as well, I'd suggest you go for the new one instead.”
- “Needs more story through career mode.”
- “Same story as last year.”
music
8 mentions
38 % positive mentions
25 % neutral mentions
38 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received positive feedback, with users praising the excellent soundtrack and overall audio quality, rating it 4 out of 5. However, there are criticisms regarding the car sounds and the need for improvement in the menu music.
- “Excellent music and audio.”
- “The in-game music enhances the overall experience.”
- “The full ambient audio, race engineer audio, and music create an immersive atmosphere.”
- “Codemasters really need to change the menu music.”
- “Car sounds aren't the best.”
- “The in-game music is lacking.”
grinding
6 mentions
0 % positive mentions
17 % neutral mentions
83 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be somewhat tedious, with some describing it as "a bit grindy" and noting the need for multiple attempts to progress. While some appreciate the focus on racing over a convoluted story mode, others criticize the repetitive nature of grinding, especially when compounded by technical issues that can lead to lost progress. Overall, the experience can feel overwhelming or bland, depending on individual preferences.
- “Expect more trips to the dentist from grinding your teeth.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “In my opinion, there's no way a game like this can be good because it's either bland and shallow or overwhelming and tedious.”
humor
6 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is largely derived from its numerous glitches and bugs, which lead to amusing situations such as AI-controlled cars taking over during races and chaotic pitstop mishaps. Players find entertainment in the unpredictable behavior of both AI and other players, resulting in funny crashes and unexpected moments during multiplayer sessions. Overall, the game's comedic elements stem from its technical issues, providing a lighthearted experience amidst the chaos.
- “One hilarious bug is that if I join a ranked race during qualifying, I can start in the race, but it is controlled by AI and I can't take over. If I disconnect and then search again for a ranked race, I get the same race and can spectate my car as the AI drives around in it.”
- “The game has a whole raft of glitches at the moment, ranging from drivers not knowing how to get back on track to the crazy pitstop glitch (trust me, look this up, it's kind of hilarious).”
- “Amazing new sounds, graphics, physics, and AI (pretty hilarious at times).”
emotional
4 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players report that the game elicits strong emotional responses, often leading to feelings of frustration and distress due to its challenging mechanics and save game management. Many express that the emotional toll of striving for high ranks can be overwhelming, prompting them to reconsider their engagement with the game for their mental well-being.
- “The save game management logic made me cry.”
- “I put in a lot of effort into ranked to try to get high ranks, but I have to stop doing it for my own sake; it is emotionally stressful.”
- “You will suffer physically, emotionally, and mentally when playing this game.”
atmosphere
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its immersive qualities, enhanced by realistic physics that favor simulation over arcade styles. Reviewers highlight the engaging environment, noting specific details like atmospheric fog that contribute to a captivating experience. Overall, the game's atmosphere is described as both fun and impressive.
- “Good physics that lean towards simulation rather than arcade or 'simcade', and plenty of fun via great atmosphere and immersion.”
- “Amazing game, amazing atmosphere.”
- “Sure, the weather was overcast, but atmospheric fog at 3 PM in Melbourne in the height of summer?!”
monetization
3 mentions
67 % positive mentions
-67 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
Users express dissatisfaction with the monetization strategies in recent Codemasters games, particularly criticizing the presence of in-app purchases and micropayments. In contrast, older titles like the 2018 version are favored for their lack of such monetization practices and better budget alignment.
- “I can recommend this product; other newer ones I can't, as they have in-app purchases and don't support multiple profiles.”
- “I bought the 2018 version due to budget concerns and its lesser microtransactions.”
- “Any latest Codemasters games have in-app purchases or micropayments that I don't support.”
- “I can recommend this product; other newer ones I can't, as they have in-app purchases or systems and don't have multiprofile support.”
- “I bought the 2018 version out of budget concerns due to lesser microtransactions.”
replayability
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Reviewers note that the game lacks replayability after completing a season, as the constant offers to switch teams can detract from immersion, especially for players starting with weaker teams.
- “There's no replay value once you finish a season, and getting offers to switch teams constantly if you start at a weaker team and do well ruins the immersion.”
- “After completing the main storyline, I found little incentive to play again; the side quests felt repetitive and uninspired.”
- “The lack of meaningful choices and consequences makes replaying the game feel pointless, as the experience remains largely the same.”