F1 22
- June 27, 2022
- Codemasters
- 21h median play time
Although slightly saddened by the omission of a story mode this time around, it’s more than made up for by the new vehicle physics. The concern of “F1 Life” having any bearing on gameplay being quashed makes F1 22 another flying lap for Codemasters.
The Champions Edition includes: - Limited-Time Bonus: Miami-Themed Content Pack - 3 days Early Access - F1 Life Starter Pack - F1 22 New Era Content - New My Team Icons - 18,000 PitCoin
Reviews
- graphics478 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 51 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The graphics in F1 2022 have received mixed reviews, with many players praising the stunning visuals, attention to detail, and improved lighting effects that enhance the overall racing experience. However, some users have reported performance issues, including crashes and stuttering, particularly in VR mode, which detracts from the graphical quality. Overall, while the game showcases impressive graphics, the performance inconsistencies and lack of significant improvements over previous iterations have left some players disappointed.
“The graphics are stunning, showcasing the attention to detail in recreating real-life Formula 1 circuits and iconic racing cars.”
“Whether you're navigating the tight streets of Monaco or blazing through high-speed straights at Monza, the game's graphics and visual effects immerse you in the world of Formula 1 like never before.”
“The graphics are incredible and the attention to detail in the tracks, cars, and weather conditions is simply remarkable.”
“The only passable thing is the graphics (except the ray tracing, that's just a useless gimmick) but for me that's the least important thing about a racing game.”
“Graphics are garbage.”
“The graphics in VR are just not good enough, which makes seeing brake points and apexes very hard.”
- stability354 mentions
- 4 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 96 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with numerous users reporting persistent bugs, crashes, and glitches that significantly hinder gameplay. Many players experience frequent freezes, especially in multiplayer and VR modes, and issues with AI behavior and car handling further detract from the experience. Despite some positive remarks about the game's fun aspects, the overwhelming consensus is that it remains a "buggy mess" that requires substantial fixes to be considered stable and enjoyable.
“But otherwise, I like all aspects of the game, the progression, the AI competitors, and find it lots of fun, and not buggy at all.”
“It has a great community, great controller support, is bug-free, and most importantly, it is not made by maniacs who want to see the world burn.”
“Overall, the game runs great on my system (1660 Super, Ryzen 5 2600X, 8GB DDR4).”
“This game is a buggy mess that I can't recommend to anyone.”
“It's the most buggy game I've ever played.”
“The game is incredibly buggy and F1 2021 is just a much smoother game with less issues.”
- gameplay298 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of F1 22 has received mixed reviews, with some praising its smooth mechanics and realistic driving experience, while others criticize it for being buggy and lacking significant innovation compared to previous titles. Many players appreciate the balance between accessibility and depth, but express frustration over AI behavior, server issues, and the introduction of unnecessary features like "F1 Life." Overall, while the core gameplay is enjoyable for fans of the series, persistent technical issues and a perceived lack of evolution in gameplay mechanics detract from the experience.
“The gameplay is smoother than a freshly paved racetrack.”
“From the exhilarating gameplay to the breathtaking visuals, this game delivers an immersive and unforgettable racing experience.”
“The gameplay mechanics in F1 2022 are top-notch, striking a perfect balance between accessibility and depth.”
“The gameplay is clunky and buggy, with poor AI behavior and inconsistent physics that make it difficult to enjoy the game.”
“There were a lot of promises made about the changes to gameplay and career mode, but when I downloaded the game I got F1 21 with couches and a broken VR mechanic.”
“With its shortcomings in gameplay, presentation, and overall execution, the game fails to justify its place among the top-tier racing simulations currently available.”
- optimization249 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received widespread criticism, with many players reporting significant performance issues such as stuttering, crashing, and low frame rates, particularly in VR mode. While some users have managed to achieve decent performance with high-end hardware, the overall experience remains inconsistent, with frequent bugs and audio problems detracting from gameplay. Many reviewers recommend waiting for further updates or discounts before purchasing due to these ongoing optimization challenges.
“You can fine-tune your car to your heart's content, tweaking everything from the engine performance to the tire pressure.”
“This is a great game, you get to experience the thrill of being an F1 driver and compete for the world title while also taking care of the vehicle while delivering the performance needed to win.”
“Overall, I find it really fun with the career mode; however, you get limited on things like the game picking teams for you depending on your performance.”
“The game is bad and it's full of bugs and inconsistencies; it also has many performance issues.”
“Unplayable in VR due to extreme stuttering, even on the lowest settings.”
“It's by far the worst optimized and bugged game we've had in years.”
- story216 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate a significant disappointment regarding the absence of a story mode in the latest F1 game, particularly the "Braking Point" narrative from F1 2021, which many players found engaging. While some players appreciate the focus on multiplayer and improved gameplay mechanics, the lack of a structured story has left a void for those who enjoyed the narrative elements in previous installments. Overall, the consensus is that the removal of the story mode detracts from the single-player experience, making it feel less immersive and engaging.
“The addition of the 'Braking Point' story mode further enhances the single-player experience, allowing players to embark on a compelling journey through the world of Formula 1.”
“The 'Braking Point' story mode in F1 2021 may have been a bit on the clichéd side, but it was still an interesting way to play through an F1 career.”
“I would like to see the game bring back the 'Braking Point' mode as that gave a short storyline to differ from the usual career/multiplayer modes.”
“Compared to F1 2021, which was the first time that the F1 game series had its own story mode, F1 22 does not have this kind of mode.”
“The removal of the 'Braking Point' storyline for F1 21 is a blow, as it was a good way to get into the sport.”
“This time there’s no story mode at all, meaning solo players will have to make do with the existing career mode, the 40 Pirelli hot laps supercar challenges, and the regular daily challenges designed to give XP for the podium pass unlockables.”
- music112 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising the soundtrack as "amazing" and a significant improvement over previous titles, while others criticize the inclusion of licensed pop music that feels out of place. Many appreciate the ability to customize the music selection, but there are complaints about the repetitive nature of certain tracks and the overall quality of the new music, which some feel detracts from the game's atmosphere. Overall, while the soundtrack has its fans, it also has its detractors who prefer the previous games' compositions.
“The soundtrack is amazing.”
“I really just want to say that the game is nice, but the soundtrack slaps so hard that it's amazing!”
“The music has also been changed, and now uses real music, unlike the custom made music from the previous releases.”
“They added a lot of hit and miss pop music, but they don't fit the theme like F1 2000's 'Phat Planet' did.”
“The music selection is awful. The music has also been changed, and now uses real music, unlike the custom-made music from the previous releases.”
“The next thing I don't like is the music. I'm not quite a fan of this style of music, so I had to change the music to default in settings.”
- monetization101 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 45 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy in the game has been heavily criticized for its invasive microtransactions, which many players feel detract from the overall experience and make the game feel like a cash grab. Features like the "F1 Life" mode, which focuses on cosmetic items and virtual furnishings, are seen as unnecessary additions that prioritize profit over gameplay quality. Overall, players express frustration over having to pay for content that should be included in the base game, leading to a perception of the game as a poorly executed, expensive free-to-play title.
“Microtransactions are now more prevalent in the game, with the 'F1 Life' gamemode allowing for people to purchase clothing and house furnishings using pitcoins (bought for real money).”
“You have the option of purchasing things with your own money, but you unlock plenty of on-track and F1 Life items just by playing the game naturally, so purchasing pitcoins for in-game purchases is completely your call.”
“The invasive microtransactions make this expensive game feel like a free-to-play game.”
“Ultimately it seems as if EA focused on bringing in extra 'F1 Life' customization, collaborating with and advertising big fashion brands in the hopes of making you pay real money for a virtual hat that you will see for 10 seconds once every 2 hours in the game, rather than improving the player's experience and developing a game that their customers want to play.”
“F1 Life is just an excuse to get people to buy more currency because, as we know, EA is trustworthy and would never want to get a cash grab off of a sports game.”
- humor42 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is largely derived from its chaotic online multiplayer experience, where players encounter absurd driving behaviors and unexpected bugs that lead to unintentionally funny moments. Many users find amusement in the game's glitches, AI antics, and the overall absurdity of racing dynamics, often describing it as a "funny game" despite its technical shortcomings. While some appreciate the comedic aspects, others feel that the humor has diminished over time, with the game becoming more frustrating than entertaining.
“No person can drive normally in any online lobby; you either get some daft twat that brakes in Eau Rouge or tries to go flat around Monaco, someone who sends it down your inside, your outside, and up your arse in every corner, or people who have been doing league races for their whole lives, playing 13 hours a day on their fancy £15k Fanatec wheel setups with a £50k PC just to play a game where cars go round in funny-shaped circles for hours at a time.”
“If you like to fall off the chair laughing about supercar physics, this is your game.”
“I’m laughing at the guy(s) who designed that, because they are laughing at us; it’s so cheesy!”
“Not funny as it used to be.”
- grinding38 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 24 % negative mentions
The reviews overwhelmingly indicate that grinding in the game is excessive, with many users humorously suggesting that players would need "a second life" to keep up with it. While some mention that there is little to grind beyond career progression, others find the grinding tedious and detrimental to the overall experience, particularly due to the game's online requirements and loading issues.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The pass, and the need to constantly be online to verify and 'reward' you for grinding around the pass... this basically bloats up the game and slows down the loading process of every 'next screen'.”
“I've been grinding my career on the new team setting and it's been a little disheartening, but real.”
“I can play the game for about 5 minutes before the audio begins to degrade and brings the game to a grinding halt.”
- replayability15 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the depth added by career paths and the enjoyment of multiplayer with friends, others find the career mode dull and the multiplayer experience plagued by issues. Despite some improvements and enjoyable elements, the lack of engaging multiplayer and community support limits its overall longevity.
“The ability to forge a career path, negotiate contracts, and compete against legendary drivers adds depth and replayability to the game.”
“☑️ infinitely replayable”
“Still one of the most replayable racing games for solo players.”
“The career mode is dull and repetitive, with little depth or replay value, and the multiplayer experience is marred by frequent connection issues and unbalanced matchmaking.”
“The absence of engaging multiplayer experiences and community support diminishes the game’s longevity and replayability.”
“I enjoy the EA music that they brought in for the game; it makes the game seem a lot more replayable when you don't hear the same song over and over.”
- emotional14 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional responses to the game are overwhelmingly negative, with players expressing deep frustration and disappointment due to aggressive AI, poor gameplay mechanics, and performance issues. Many users feel that their investment in the game was a mistake, comparing their experience to receiving a subpar product that fails to deliver on expectations, leading to a strong desire for refunds and a break from the game. Despite some moments of immersion, the overall sentiment reflects a sense of betrayal and dissatisfaction.
“This... wholesome, real, immersive moment that was so short meant so much.”
“Edit: it's been a few months now, I can see that I was quite emotional.”
“Purchasing this game made me feel as if I ordered a big mac but McDonald's removed one meat patty, took a bite out of one bun, then dunked it in hot dog water, and charged me extra.”
- atmosphere4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in F1® 22 is highly praised for its immersive audio design, capturing the excitement of Formula 1 racing with realistic sound effects and energetic commentary. Despite some gameplay flaws, the intense racing experience and the addition of VR support contribute to a delightful overall ambiance, making it one of the most atmospheric racing games available.
“The audio design is equally impressive, with the roaring engines, screeching tires, and the energetic commentary capturing the essence of the Formula 1 atmosphere.”
“In conclusion, despite the very frustrating flaws that sour the overall game, the improved wheel-to-wheel racing and the much-requested addition of VR support simply makes for one of the most incredibly atmospheric and intense racing experiences to date.”
“Though most people said it’s bad, I like it because it adds some atmosphere to the game.”
Critic Reviews
F1 22 review
Another superlative career mode, but the avatar customisation and tacked-on supercars feel like bullet points.
84%F1 2022 PS5 Review!
F1 2022 retains most of what made the previous game had, adding just enough to to satisfy most fans. With more time in the oven, it could have been nearly perfect. Still, the fear of EA control lingers.
86%F1 22 Review
Although slightly saddened by the omission of a story mode this time around, it’s more than made up for by the new vehicle physics. The concern of “F1 Life” having any bearing on gameplay being quashed makes F1 22 another flying lap for Codemasters.
90%