It's not just the tyres that are smoking in "F1 2018"
30.8.2018
Translation: machine translated
The premier class of racing impresses with thrilling overtaking manoeuvres, hard-hitting crashes and epic duels. Codemasters lets you take the wheel in "F1 2018". Read on to find out whether the simulation shifts up a gear or needs a tyre change.
When the red lights go out, it's on: this phrase keeps thousands of racing aficionados glued to the telly during the Formula 1 season. From the very first lap, there is excitement as to whether the pole position will really be enough for the favourite to win or whether the pit crew will mess it up at the pit stop. Daredevil overtakes at horrendous speeds, spectacular accidents after which the drivers get out of the car seemingly unharmed and legendary cheering poses are what make this sport so fascinating.
The Codemasters simulation series of the same name allows you to get one of the coveted Formula 1 starting places this year, climb the career ladder and - as the highlight - become world champion with your racing team. I didn't want to miss out on this opportunity and tested how the game holds up in the world of high-speed racing.
A small anniversary
The game from British video game developer Codemasters is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year. It all started in 2009, and since then - as is usual in racing - it has been diligently tested, developed and expanded. The first edition was only available on the Wii and Playstation Portable. The games were then also released for PC, Xbox, Playstation and Nintendo 3DS.
Changing weather conditions and the career mode were introduced in 2010, the safety car and split screen in 2011 and everyday racing and its surroundings in 2012. In 2013, classic cars from the eighties and nineties found their way into the game and in 2016, active players were involved in the development for the first time.
Much tried and tested, little new
As before, you will find all licensed vehicles, drivers and tracks in "F1 2018". In addition, there are now 20 classic racing cars that let you relive the golden days of yesteryear, as well as the two new tracks, the Circuit Paul Ricard and the Hockenheimring. Tracks no longer included in the official calendar will also disappear from the game.
In addition to single and multiplayer races, Classic Mode (where the aforementioned classic cars are used) and the championship with one of the Formula 1 stars, the developers are focussing primarily on the career mode. In addition, a new ranking system for online races means that drivers are rated according to fairness, speed and experience. This means you don't have to park your car at the side of the track after the first three corners and be completely frustrated, but are instead assigned appropriate opponents.
Full focus on the career
This year, Codemasters has once again put the lion's share of the work into the career mode - just as the fans wanted. For example, after every qualifying session and race, you now have to go to the press and provide information. Your statements, which you can choose under time pressure, have a decisive influence on the further course of your career. Will you become a showman or will you stick to the rules? Either way, you should choose your words wisely, because every answer can influence your future: If you've made negative comments about a rival team at the start of the season, you could write off a promising career with your new arch-enemies.
The development of the vehicles has also been intensified. You can now unlock an incredible 124 development levels. And, also new, it can happen that all the work was for nothing. This is because the virtual referees can ban parts that you then even have to rebuild. Not only will you lose development points as a result, but the car's performance will also suffer.
In the 2018 version, you not only have to conserve tyres, be economical with engine parts and save fuel, but also keep an eye on the energy recovery system. To be honest, my eyes are starting to glaze over, because the game is already challenging enough. With the suspension simulation, which is also new, even the smallest bumps can break your neck (or suspension). Even if your vehicle remains undamaged, it's nothing short of a miracle if you don't lose at least five places due to an inconspicuous bump.
Every millimetre can make the difference
I play "F1 2018" with the controller and not with the steering wheel and pedals. It's the only racing game I buy on the Playstation at irregular intervals. So it's simply not worth buying. Editorial colleague Simon Balissat thinks he would drive me into the ground with his steering wheel. It's possible, but I can't judge that. Besides, I don't think I'm a bad driver even without additional steering units. As the steering has become even more sophisticated this year and reacts to even the smallest joystick movement, a lot of sensitivity is required.
The game has become more challenging at every difficulty level. For beginners, various driving aids such as the dynamic racing line, ABS, braking aids and flashbacks - when all seems lost - are available. Professionals switch everything off and drive as if they were actually sitting in the Cockpit of a Formula 1 car. I currently choose a middle way. This ensures that both beginners and advanced drivers have fun driving. Tyre wear, parts wear and the new ERS, which I had a lot of trouble with in the first few minutes of the game, also challenge the player more than before.
What I've always missed in the series so far was a decent AI. The online races were too difficult, as I was almost always assigned to races in which only former Formula 1 drivers or professional gamers took part. (Or I just drove badly.) In the individual races and especially in career mode, the opponents were either too weak or too strong. I have not been able to find any mediocrity so far. Codemasters was finally able to close this gap this year. The transitions between the difficulty levels are smoother, the other drivers already cut a fine figure in qualifying and made me sweat blood in crucial racing situations. This makes Formula 1 great fun on the console too.
All that glitters is gold
"F1 2018" is even prettier than all its predecessors. In certain situations, the vehicles can hardly be distinguished from real racing cars, that's how hard Codemasters has worked. The tracks, pit lanes, drivers, media and especially the cars look more authentic than ever. The damage simulation is also simply awesome. I know it's anything but entertaining when human lives are at risk. But rarely have I not been able to make a sound during a virtual collision. Here, too, I have to give Codemasters a pat on the back. The game has nothing to hide with its great appearance.
The sound has also been improved. The cars sound better than they did two years ago - "F1 2016" was the last game in this Formula 1 series that I played. However, the classic cars are music to the ears when you race around the track in one of these vintage cars and let the engine roar.
Conclusion
This year it's the same old story: nothing new in the West. Codemasters is the undisputed leader with "F1 2018". Thanks to sophisticated AI, new suspension physics and intelligent ERS, the game is more difficult to master than ever before - exactly what I wanted. The new features in the driver environment, such as the tricky questions from the press lady, as well as the even larger development and technology tree take the Formula 1 feeling to a new level. The ranking system in online mode and the newly added classic cars are "nice to have", but only worth a side note for me.
But once again, many of the fans' and players' wishes have fallen by the wayside. Manual driving in the pit lane has not been taken into account - machines still do all the work during a pit stop. And if you run out of juice, you can still drive very slowly to the pits, which is unrealistic. Test drives or junior series, through which you could fight your way into the top league as a driver, are also not taken into account. What other sports games seem to get right without any problems, Codemasters fails year after year: the girls and boys simply don't manage to release the game at the start of the official season. More than half of the races are already over by the time you get behind the wheel for the first time. That's a shame.
Despite the bland flavour, the positive arguments outweigh the negative ones. The game is a must-have for racing fans. I also recommend it to gamers who play other racing titles. However, it's not for casual gamers and beginners. Codemasters has developed a game that not only demands everything from the console, but also from the player. With "F1 2018", it's definitely not just the tyres that are smoking.
Header image: Pure asphalt action: "F1 2018" makes racing hearts beat faster and boys' dreams come true.
Raphael Knecht
Senior Editor
raphael.knecht@digitecgalaxus.chWhen I'm not stuffing my face with sweets, you'll catch me running around in the gym hall. I’m a passionate floorball player and coach. On rainy days, I tinker with my homebuilt PCs, robots or other gadgets. Music is always my trusted companion. I also enjoy tackling hilly terrain on my road bike and criss-crossing the country on my cross-country skis.
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