F1 2021

‘F1 2021’ continues to grow on what 2020 built. It’s a technical, story driver, fast, and fun ride. It’s a continuation into a franchise that has become what any F1 fan, or honestly racing fan in general has been wanting for years.

87%Game Brain Score

story, graphics

stability, grinding

87% User Score Based on 15,281 reviews

Critic Score 85%Based on 32 reviews

Platforms

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About

"F1 2021" is a racing simulation game that brings the thrill of Formula One championships to players. Experience the new "Braking Point" story mode, multiplayer options, and a wide range of customization as you compete in official circuits and races. With improved physics, graphics, and audio, this game offers an immersive and realistic F1 racing experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

87%

Audience ScoreBased on 15,281 reviews

story310 positive mentions

stability246 negative mentions

story
846 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
58%
5%
The story mode, titled "Braking Point," has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating its engaging narrative and character development, particularly the rivalry between drivers Aiden Jackson and Casper Akkerman. However, criticisms include its linearity, predictability, and relatively short length, with some players wishing for more depth and branching paths. Overall, while it adds a fresh element to the F1 series, opinions vary on its execution and replay value.
- “The game's 'Braking Point' story mode is an exciting addition that allows players to experience a mix of racing action and dramatic cutscenes.”
- “The characterisation is a little underdone, but injecting a story mode into the F1 series was a risk well worth taking, and I’m certainly looking forward to more of it.”
- “The story mode is a nice addition and a great way to introduce the game to newcomers.”
- “The story mode is a waste of time but the force feedback seems to work just fine, much better than 2020.”
- “The 'breaking point' story mode was very hyped by the ads and the media, but truth is, the storytelling was really, really bad.”
- “The story mode is too short and lacks depth, making it feel like a missed opportunity for a more engaging experience.”
graphics
631 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
47%
3%
The graphics in F1 2021 have received mixed reviews, with many praising the stunning visuals, detailed car models, and realistic environments that enhance immersion in the Formula 1 world. However, some players noted that the graphics did not significantly improve over the previous installment, F1 2020, and experienced issues such as crashes and performance drops on certain hardware. Overall, while the game showcases impressive graphical fidelity, it also faces criticism for optimization problems and minor bugs.
- “The visuals in F1 2021 are stunning, with highly detailed car models, realistic environments, and breathtaking track designs.”
- “F1 2021 sets the bar high for Formula 1 racing games, delivering an exceptional gameplay experience, stunning visuals, and an authentic representation of the sport.”
- “The graphics are amazing, the driving feels really excellent, the story is pretty cool.”
- “Shit graphics for its time.”
- “The graphics are literal shit, like something you would find 10 years ago.”
- “Graphics are nothing special, every free AC or rFactor mod can do the same or even better.”
gameplay
359 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
34%
62%
4%
F1 2021 delivers a solid gameplay experience characterized by realistic racing mechanics, improved AI, and a variety of game modes, including a story-driven "Braking Point" mode. While many players appreciate the immersive and challenging nature of the gameplay, some express concerns about connectivity issues, bugs, and a lack of significant new features compared to its predecessor, F1 2020. Overall, the game is praised for its graphics and driving mechanics, making it a worthwhile choice for both F1 fans and racing game enthusiasts.
- “With its immersive gameplay, realistic mechanics, and attention to detail, the game captures the essence of the high-speed world of Formula 1.”
- “F1 2021 offers an exceptional gameplay experience, providing players with the opportunity to step into the shoes of their favorite Formula 1 drivers and compete on iconic tracks around the world.”
- “The gameplay is structured in a fairly systematic way: each chapter is a race (or rather, a segment of a race in general) where we have to complete certain tasks, typically to reach a certain position, with transitions between them to move the plot forward.”
- “Unsuppported, unfinished game that will spend more time crashed than in gameplay.”
- “In terms of gameplay, it is one of the worst recent Codemasters F1 games to play.”
- “There was never a game that I felt so much disappointment with; after paying 60 euros for this game, I feel like I was scammed. The AI of the game is pathetic and the number of bugs that can destroy one's experience with the gameplay is frustrating.”
stability
253 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
97%
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with numerous users reporting persistent bugs, crashes, and glitches that significantly hinder gameplay. Many players have experienced issues such as random freezes, desync in multiplayer, and game-breaking errors, leading to a consensus that the game feels unfinished and poorly tested. While some users noted improvements over previous versions, the overall sentiment remains that the game is still too buggy for a satisfactory experience, particularly in online modes.
- “I have sunk many hours into this game and despite the desync issues near the end of the cycle, I personally had a bug-free experience.”
- “I am rating thumbs up because this game seems bug-free.”
- “No glitches whatsoever.”
- “The game is seriously buggy and I don't see how the developers thought this was okay to release.”
- “This game is such a buggy mess, I love it but for someone that just wants to try out an F1 game, don't buy it.”
- “The most recent updates though have caused it to be a buggy mess that crashes every 2 minutes.”
optimization
149 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
70%
13%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its ability to run smoothly on high settings and various PC setups, while others report significant issues such as stuttering, crashes, and inconsistent performance across different tracks. Many users noted that despite good graphics, the game suffers from bugs and glitches that detract from the overall experience, particularly in multiplayer modes. Overall, while some players find the game well-optimized, others express frustration with its performance inconsistencies and the need for further patches to address ongoing issues.
- “The game is so well optimized, I was able to maintain 80 fps easily on ultra high settings on my Asus ROG Scar 3.”
- “Beautifully built, awesome environments, graphics seem fairly optimized, not dropping fps too much in 4k.”
- “F1 2021 has nice graphics and good performance.”
- “This has to be one of the worst optimized racing games I have ever played.”
- “Maaaajor memory leak in this game; after 30+ laps the game performance suddenly tanks and freezes.”
- “The game has a 'real season start' mode that's basically a GP season, which is supposed to allow you to pick up where the current ongoing 2021 season is with the drivers all having their correct points, but that is ironic to no end considering the missing tracks and the cars just being 2020 reskins.”
grinding
56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
80%
18%
The reviews overwhelmingly indicate that grinding in the game is excessively time-consuming, with many players humorously suggesting that it requires "a second life" to manage. While some acknowledge minor improvements in certain modes, the overall sentiment is that the grinding experience can be tedious and frustrating, particularly due to glitches and AI issues that further complicate gameplay.
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “One long, tedious grind.”
- “Ai drives like dogshit and half of the kerbs make you spin if you don't hit them at the perfect spot, making it a rather unpleasant experience for the average casual controller player if they don't want to spend dozens of hours really grinding to get the game properly playable with the controller.”
humor
55 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
98%
5%
The humor in the game is often described as a mix of unintentional glitches and amusing scenarios, with players finding entertainment in bugs, unexpected outcomes, and the absurdity of certain game mechanics. While some players appreciate the comedic elements, others feel that the humor can become repetitive or overshadowed by gameplay frustrations. Overall, the game elicits laughter through its quirks, though opinions vary on whether this humor enhances or detracts from the overall experience.
- “F1 2021 is a great and funny game.”
- “Great game, made many funny memories and the game looks real and runs smooth.”
- “It's funny when I see real F1 drivers try these Codemasters games and usually the first thing they do is a proper spin at the first corner exit.”
- “When I bought this game, it was only for the stories and the good-looking cars. However, after playing a bit in the story and career modes, the game felt boring and not funny to play anymore, so I quit and went to Assetto Corsa to play some real simulation game.”
- “The humor in this game falls flat; it tries too hard to be funny but ends up being cringeworthy instead.”
- “I expected some lighthearted moments, but the jokes are stale and often miss the mark, making the experience less enjoyable.”
monetization
38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
37%
55%
The monetization model of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many players feeling that it prioritizes microtransactions, loot boxes, and season passes over gameplay quality and balance. While some microtransactions are deemed harmless, the overwhelming presence of ads and the necessity to spend real money for customization options have led to perceptions of the game as a cash grab, particularly following EA's acquisition of Codemasters. Overall, players express concern that the focus on monetization detracts from the enjoyment and integrity of the gaming experience.
- “You do not need to utilize the microtransactions, but some of the customization options will be locked behind the podium pass which can only be unlocked using virtual currency.”
- “Despite being a 60 euros copy-paste from last season, the game is full of microtransactions.”
- “You earn pit coins rather easily, so the microtransactions are pretty pointless and the pit coins are only for cosmetic items anyway.”
- “It isn't without flaws, of course; there are some cash grab elements thanks to the overlords at EA.”
- “The ugly: the game has pivoted towards microtransactions and milking players substantially.”
- “I can imagine this being the last F1 game I buy. I've had all except 2018 since 2017. I can't see the point in spending 70 euros on a game where the developers couldn't care less about their customers, especially with EA Sports becoming the producers of the game. I am fearful for the future of these games.”
music
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
46%
9%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising it as the best in the series, surpassing even F1 23. The soundtrack is noted for its emotional depth and nostalgic elements, particularly in the main menu and online lobby, contributing significantly to the game's overall atmosphere. However, some users have pointed out issues with music playback during gameplay and a desire for more original compositions rather than recycled tracks from previous versions.
- “Music is the best in the whole series, even ahead of F1 23.”
- “The presentation of the game has drastically improved with the actual F1 intro playing when you launch the game, the 'press start' screen having moments of Crofty commentary in the background, and overall better music.”
- “Just no words, it is such emotional music that you can't help but love; for example, the online lobby music before the race is just something that you suddenly realize you keep humming along with.”
- “The game often crashes when I get a notification, switch to a different tab, or try to play music.”
- “I have F1 2020 already; not paying for a paste and copy code with new soundtracks.”
- “Music throughout the game seems to be copied from previous versions of F1.”
emotional
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
96%
11%
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by players' intense experiences, ranging from feelings of realism and connection to the sport to frustration and "emotional damage" due to the game's handling mechanics. Many reviewers appreciate the touching narrative and immersive audio-visual elements that enhance the emotional engagement, while others express disappointment over the game's sensitivity to minor track interactions, leading to unexpected spins and challenges. Overall, the game elicits a strong emotional response, both positive and negative, reflecting the highs and lows of racing.
- “This game gave me nightmares, good dreams, pain in the rear tires, and emotional damage.”
- “It's heartbreaking.”
- “And yes... Braking Point is an amazing story with a really touching ending :)”
- “I guess they spent the budget on the boring story?”
- “The emotional moments felt forced and unconvincing.”
- “I didn't connect with any of the characters, which made the emotional scenes fall flat.”
replayability
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
63%
19%
Overall, the game offers significant replayability, particularly through the "My Team" mode, which enhances the experience and encourages players to improve their performance. However, some features, like the "Braking Point" mode, are criticized for lacking replay value due to their scripted nature. While many players find the game addictive and enjoyable, opinions vary on certain modes' contributions to overall replayability.
- “A very solid and replayable F1 experience, keeps you coming back to want to improve times and get each and every corner on each and every track spot on for the fastest lap times possible.”
- “The My Team game mode basically makes the other career mode obsolete as it's so much better, definitely makes the game a lot more replayable and adds a grind-y aspect whilst still being fun and not a chore.”
- “My Team: great feature that was brought in last year's F1 2020, this is a fun, addictive mode that has plenty of replayability.”
- “Breakpoint was a nice touch although more needs to be done to make this feature work; no replay value to this, other than that seems good.”
- “There's all this talk about braking point mode but in my opinion it's a boring pointless mode, everything is scripted, very limited gameplay options, and zero replay value; after you've played it once there's no reason to ever play it again.”
- “4/10 game time / replayability.”
atmosphere
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
36%
36%
27%
The atmosphere in the game is widely praised for its immersive sound design and vibrant race day ambiance, enhancing the overall experience for players. While many appreciate the detailed graphics and the feeling of being part of an F1 season, some critiques mention that the driving mechanics could be improved. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a strong point, particularly for fans of the genre.
- “The sound design is equally impressive, capturing the roar of the engines, screeching tires, and the ambiance of the race day atmosphere, adding to the overall immersion.”
- “The atmosphere is perfect, from the requirement to strategy to the images.”
- “It has a very good atmosphere to it, and gives you a much more immersive feel in the paddock environment.”
- “While the atmosphere of a race weekend is better than ever, the core of the game, which is driving, is absolutely horrendous.”
- “Breaking Point: great attempt to build a hostile and aggressive atmosphere, but lacks in storytelling.”
- “But to play in the atmosphere of an F1 season, and for a slightly more relaxed 'simcade' approach, the Codemasters game is still the best option.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Character development is generally considered adequate, lacking in dynamism and memorability, though there are efforts made to flesh out the characters.
- “The character development is rich and engaging, allowing players to form deep connections with the characters.”
- “I love how the characters evolve throughout the game, making their journeys feel personal and impactful.”
- “The depth of character backstories and their growth over time adds a layer of immersion that enhances the overall experience.”