F1 Manager 2023
- July 31, 2023
- Frontier Developments
- 43h median play time
F1 Manager 2023 isn't hugely different from last year's entry, but it's still a solid sports management title with plenty to keep you busy.
The intense world of Formula 1® comes alive for a new season in F1® Manager 2023. 23 races, six F1® Sprint events, new cars, new circuits including the Las Vegas Strip Circuit, new drivers, new challenges… Your legacy begins here. •F1® Manager 2023 challenges you to manage the F1® team of your choice on your terms. Start your career as Team Principal at one of the 10 F1® teams and manage every …
Reviews
- Significant improvements over F1 Manager 2022, including better AI and more engaging gameplay.
- Enhanced graphics and sound design create a more immersive experience.
- New features like driver confidence and parts durability add depth to the management aspect.
- The game is plagued with bugs and crashes, affecting overall gameplay experience.
- Some UI decisions and features feel like a step backward compared to the previous installment.
- AI behavior can be unrealistic, with drivers often blocking each other during qualifying and making erratic decisions during races.
- graphics55 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the improved visuals and attention to detail, particularly in race scenarios and car designs. However, some users feel that while the graphics are better than previous versions, they still fall short of modern standards and can be marred by bugs and performance issues. Overall, the visuals are considered a highlight, but there are concerns about the depth of gameplay and optimization.
“The graphics are so sharp and detailed that you can almost see the sweat on the drivers' brows as they speed through the tracks.”
“Worth the money for sure, the graphics, the detail is incredible; you have to find a solution to everything which I love because then you have to be determined 10/10.”
“Challenging, pretty realistic, amazing graphics.”
“Graphics are pretty terrible by modern standards, which isn't a big deal in a management game, but it does seem like the kind of visuals we would have expected 7 or 8 years ago.”
“Graphically, it looks like a port from one of the older consoles, for example, the PlayStation 3.”
“The game is great but feels poorly optimized in terms of performance; there are instances of the game crashing prior to the title screen, and graphic rendering has a lot of pop-in textures, things that could be fixed in later patches...”
- gameplay48 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the depth and strategic elements introduced, such as new mechanics and difficulty levels, while others criticize it for being tedious and lacking excitement compared to previous titles. Many users noted that understanding the mechanics can be challenging, and the game suffers from bugs and issues that detract from the overall experience. Despite its visual appeal and some fun features, several reviewers feel that it falls short in delivering a polished and engaging gameplay loop.
“The gameplay is a perfect balance of chaos and strategy.”
“With its eye-catching graphics, entertaining gameplay, and a community that's more fun than a clown convention, F1 Manager 23 is a must-play for anyone who needs a good laugh with their racing adrenaline.”
“The AI's improved decisions during races, varying weather patterns, and costly development projects add depth to the gameplay.”
“Some mechanics are hard to understand even after playing long hours - for instance, why expertise does not contribute at all for design or are multiple researches needed and what is its cumulative effect.”
“I've found the gameplay to be tedious and lacking in the excitement I'd hoped for from a racing management game.”
“This game should never have been released in its current state with the number of bugs and crashes, the worst of which affects the whole gameplay.”
- stability26 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and frequent freezes, often requiring players to restart sessions. While some users note improvements over previous versions, many still experience significant issues, including corrupted saves and crashes during gameplay. Overall, the game is deemed too unstable for a strong recommendation at this time.
“I think the basic features and premise of this game are amazing, but with the amount of bugs, glitches, and inaccuracies, I cannot recommend it.”
“My game consistently freezes and stops responding, usually once every 3-4 sessions, and the lack of consistent autosaves causes me to have to restart the session whenever it happens.”
“The game is buggy and not much different than F1 Manager 22.”
- optimization15 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with users noting frequent crashes and poor graphic rendering, which detracts from the overall experience. While some features have been improved, many players feel that the game still lacks proper optimization, leading to unrealistic driver performances and artificial depth that hampers enjoyment. Overall, there is hope for future patches to address these stability and performance issues.
“Accelerated and optimized pilot and personnel development.”
“New, needed features and the game is better optimized.”
“The performance loss compared to the rest of the grid seems to be lower than the 2022 game.”
“Badly optimized game frequently crashes.”
“The game is great but feels poorly optimized in terms of performance; there are instances of the game crashing prior to the title screen, and graphic rendering has a lot of pop-in textures, things that could be fixed in later patches.”
“Even putting most of a year's wind tunnel time and CFD hours into next year's car did next to nothing for my relative performance.”
- monetization7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- -14 % neutral mentions
- 71 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has been heavily criticized, with many users labeling it a "shameless cash grab" and expressing frustration over perceived laziness in development and lack of meaningful updates. Although microtransactions exist, they are not deemed excessively exploitative, allowing players to enjoy the game without feeling pressured to spend excessively.
“While microtransactions are present, they won't force you to pay your life savings for a virtual racing car.”
“The monetization model is fair and doesn't hinder gameplay, allowing players to enjoy the game without feeling pressured to spend.”
“I appreciate that the game offers cosmetic items for purchase, but they don't impact the core experience.”
“Shameless cash grab yearly release.”
“In my opinion, they took the cash grab of an F1 title game and put what they thought people would want in the game, but so many features are just not done well.”
“This coupled with the cash grab that was the last game, with the dev team leaving players with no updates around 100 days after release, does not give me much hope that this game will go in the correct direction.”
- grinding7 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 86 % negative mentions
Reviews highlight that the grinding aspect of F1 Manager 23 is overwhelmingly tedious, with players expressing frustration over excessive micromanagement and a lack of engaging gameplay. While some appreciate the added details and improvements over the previous version, many feel that the game fails to capture the excitement of Formula 1, making the grinding experience feel burdensome.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Tedious, tedious, tedious - and I've been a lifelong fan of all types of management games, from the original Sim Cities, Theme Parks, and Theme Hospitals to this one, through various iterations of Football Manager, Gran Prix Manager, and however many hundreds more I forget now.”
“None of them was as basically tedious as F1 Manager 23 - whomever developed this has absolutely zero idea about how F1 shows, and it shows sorely (biggest glaring issue - there's no dedicated sprint race qualifying).”
“I've found the gameplay to be tedious and lacking in the excitement I'd hoped for from a racing management game.”
- humor6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in F1 Manager 23 is highlighted by its quirky AI drivers and amusing in-game incidents, such as cars racing without tires, which contribute to a lighthearted and entertaining experience. Players find the game to be a comedic take on managing an F1 team, filled with unexpected and funny moments that enhance the overall enjoyment.
“Alright, rev up your engines and put on your funniest racing helmets because F1 Manager 23 has hit the circuits, and it's ready to tickle your funny bone!”
“Managing an F1 team has never been this hilarious!”
“The AI drivers have their quirks, and you'll see some hilarious accidents that'll make you wonder if they took driving lessons from Mr. Bean.”
- story5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 60 % negative mentions
Users express a desire for a more narrative-driven experience, criticizing the lack of a structured storyline and comparing it unfavorably to other games like FIFA. While players can create their own stories through gameplay choices, the absence of a defined plot leaves some feeling that the game is ultimately boring.
“I would love to see the developers move away from the whole simulation idea and focus more on a story-driven experience.”
“You can create your own story; for example, I took over Merc, practically replacing Toto, so I let Hamilton go and brought Mick in.”
“I would love to see the developers get away from the whole sim idea and maybe get into a more story-driven experience.”
“It has no storyline like FIFA football, so it's pretty boring this game.”
“There is no story.”
- music5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received high praise, particularly for its impressive soundtrack that resonates well with fans, especially those familiar with F1 songs. Reviewers appreciate the inclusion of proper menu music, enhancing the overall experience despite some criticisms regarding bugs and menus.
“As a musician, I am deeply impressed with the soundtrack.”
“The music is great; it's the F1 songs after all.”
“Finally, proper menu music!”
“The bugs, menus, even the music is exactly the same.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is considered limited, though there are improvements compared to previous versions. The career mode introduces some replayability through the option to switch teams within the same save, enhancing the experience for players who perform well. However, many users still feel that it lacks significant replay value.
“Finally, this adds some replayability to the career mode.”
“One of the big features is the ability to switch teams within the same save if you are performing well, which helps prolong the replayability.”
“Its replayability isn't great though.”
“One of the big ones being the ability to switch teams within the same save if you are performing well to help prolong the replayability.”
“This game does the micro aspect of things much better, there are so many details to look at and it very much immerses you in the difficulty of the job; something MM4 does not have. It still lacks a little replayability, but it is an improvement over last year's game.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's presentation is highly praised, with top-notch visuals and immersive audio elements, including radio calls from engineers and drivers, which collectively create a fantastic atmosphere.
“This game's presentation is top-notch, and the radio calls for engineers and drivers, as well as the commentators, provide a fantastic atmosphere.”
“The immersive sound design and stunning visuals create an incredibly engaging atmosphere that pulls you into the game.”
“The atmospheric effects, from the ambient sounds to the dynamic weather, enhance the overall experience and make every moment feel alive.”
Critic Reviews
F1 Manager 2023 review
The sequel brings welcome enhancements, but the on-track racing simulation is a let down.
72%F1 Manager 2023 review
F1 Manager 2023 isn't hugely different from last year's entry, but it's still a solid sports management title with plenty to keep you busy.
85%F1 2023: PS5 Review!
With big improvements, yet still some solid flaws, F1 2023 comes up pretty strong but still with a lot of room to grow.
76%