Codemasters is gearing up to deliver a more robust Formula 1 gaming experience after last year's relatively bare-bones offering. The upcoming F1 25 aims to win back fans with significant improvements to both gameplay mechanics and content variety, addressing many of the criticisms directed at its predecessor.
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| Experience the excitement of F1 25 in the vibrant atmosphere of the Formula One paddock |
The Return of Braking Point Story Mode
F1 25 sees the welcome return of the popular Braking Point narrative campaign, now in its third iteration. The story continues to follow the fictional Konnersport racing team, which has evolved from struggling backmarkers in the original Braking Point to potential frontrunners in this latest chapter. Players will once again step into the shoes of drivers Aiden Jackson and Callie Mayer as they deal with the increasingly antagonistic team owner Davidoff Butler, who appears to be actively sabotaging the team's success.
Enhanced Player Choice and Narrative Branching
A significant improvement to Braking Point 3 is the ability to choose which of Konnersport's two drivers to control during certain races. This decision-based approach creates branching narratives, with race outcomes and story developments changing based on player choices. The familiar framework of post-race interviews with multiple-choice responses returns, along with the social media feed featuring both fictional characters and real motorsport personalities, adding narrative flavor to the experience.
Integration with My Team Career Mode
In a notable evolution for the series, the fictional Konnersport team from Braking Point can now be integrated into the My Team career mode. This allows players to continue their journey with the team beyond the story campaign, taking them through the F1 calendar like any other team. Additionally, purchasers of the premium Iconic Edition (featuring Sir Lewis Hamilton branding) will have access to Brad Pitt's fictional team from the upcoming F1 Apple TV movie as a playable option in My Team mode.
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| Immerse yourself in the driver’s seat with the enhanced My Team career mode in F1 25 |
Revamped Handling Model and Technical Improvements
Codemasters Birmingham has directly addressed criticism of F1 24's handling model, particularly from wheel users in extreme circumstances. The new handling system aims to combine the best elements from F1 23 and F1 24, resulting in a more authentic driving experience. Early hands-on impressions suggest highly controllable cars with authentic characteristics—including the Ferrari's notably looser rear-end, mirroring real-world performance.
LIDAR-Mapped Circuits and Visual Enhancements
Five real-world circuits—Melbourne, Suzuka, Bahrain, Imola, and Miami—have been mapped using LIDAR technology during actual race weekends. This provides unprecedented accuracy in track camber, elevation, and width, along with naturalistic details like species-correct tree placement. PC players will benefit from a new Path Traced Lighting system, though this requires powerful hardware and graphics drivers not currently available on consoles.
Expanded Track Options and Customization
In an intriguing addition, F1 25 introduces reverse layouts for three tracks: Silverstone, Austria, and Zandvoort. While this might feel scandalously wrong to purists, it adds fresh challenges to familiar circuits. The game also offers more varied and editable liveries with movable sponsor decals and baked-in sponsors, making custom teams look more authentic. Special edition liveries will no longer be time-limited and can be used throughout the game once unlocked.
Quality of Life Improvements
Numerous smaller enhancements aim to make the game more accessible and enjoyable. Braking Point 3 now features four difficulty settings instead of three, and F1 World mode returns with new facility improvement options that affect team personnel capacity. Commentary options have expanded to include both Sky Sports and Channel 4 teams, giving players more choice in their broadcast experience. Nvidia's Audio2Face technology has been implemented to create more realistic character interactions during R&D discussions and post-race scenes.
Looking Ahead
While F1 25 builds on familiar foundations, the expanded features, improved handling, and deeper narrative options suggest Codemasters is committed to delivering a more complete Formula 1 experience this year. With promises of dramatic story developments in Braking Point 3 that will cause chaos, fans of the series have reason to be optimistic about this latest entry in the franchise.