One more year Codemasters launches the corresponding episode of the official game based on Formula 1, which this year is F1 2020. This means that it has been 10 years since Codemasters took over the rights to this license in video games, leaving us some good episodes in this last decade: F1 2013 and F1 2017 are probably the best and most outstanding. But be careful, because F1 2020 offers some very interesting changes that place it among the best.
F1 2020: This is the video game of a very strange season
Due to the COVID-19 many sports have had to stop or change their schedules drastically, including Formula 1. In fact, the World Cup has started this past weekend with a first race in Austria in which even the grid has changed drastically: Ferrari fighting for Q3, Racing Point competing with Red Bull and the McLaren giving flashes of quality. The only thing that doesn’t change is Mercedes, with the strongest car, and Max Verstappen threatening his leadership.
But yes, we are facing a very particular season with fewer races, different circuits and an abnormal schedule. We can say that the only way to enjoy a normal season will be through the video game, including the possibility of seeing the fastest cars in the world on the new circuits of the season (which probably will not be released in reality).
What does F1 2020 include with respect to Formula 1?
Players can expect the perfect representation of all the official teams, World Cup drivers and the current 22 circuits of the 2020 Formula 1 World Championship. Yes, this includes the two new circuits of the season: Zandvoort and Hanoi. Hanoi is an urban circuit on the streets of Vietnam, with a modern aesthetic and with certain quite mousetrap areas. But it is a fast circuit although, like many modern circuits, it can sometimes be flat and boring.
Zandvoort is one of the most fun we can experience in F1 2020.
But something completely different happens with the Zandvoort Circuit , which has been remodeled to adapt to current Formula 1 and which returns to the world championship after Niki Lauda’s victory in 1985 and thanks to the boom in the Netherlands by F1 due to Max Verstappen. An old-school circuit, with ups and downs, fast corners and overtaking areas where passing is synonymous with risking a hit with another car. It is like a roller coaster, where the car goes up and down, but it holds onto the asphalt enormously. Zandvoort is one of the most fun we can experience in F1 2020.
Is there more Formula 2 material this year?
One of the most negative aspects of the previous episode is that the Formula 2 material was limited and did not have much importance in the main game modes. This time it does have a little more weight, with content from the 2019 and 2020 seasons. It is especially in the Career Mode in which the F2 has gained a little more prominence, being able to choose to start a race with our pilot in the anteroom to the queen category.
In the past this previous step was testimonial, with about three races in F2 before making the jump. Now the Career Mode allows us to choose between jumping directly into F1 and starting in F2 with various lengths of the championship (3, 6 or 24 races), being able to live a little more the experience of this category slower but more likely to stand out or to make mistakes. After this, we could make the jump to F1 if we stand out.
What classic content can we see this year?
Yes, lovers of old school vehicles will have access to different racing cars from different eras. In total we will find 16 classic F1 cars from 1988 to 2010, including the McLaren MP4 / 5B, the Ferrari 641, the Williams FW14, or Fernando Alonso’s Renault R26. All this without counting the content included in the Deluxe Schumacher edition. The cars added with this edition, all by Michael Schumacher are the Benetton B194 and B195, Jordan 191, Ferrari F1-2000 or Ferrari F2004.
The best thing is that each vehicle has its particularities and, although in the past they were simpler and with fewer things to take into account (DRS, batteries, etc.), they are very fun to drive because they have a worse grip, or a much more efficient start. Abrupt, etc. Its fun to drive them, at least to get a little out of today’s F1 routine.
The classic cars we will be able to drive them in challenges of the Career mode, for example, but also organize great prizes with the classic vehicles (or F1 or F2). On the other hand, exhibition events with classic vehicles are already common in the license, which will always be a very interesting challenge to complete. A pity, yes, that in this edition we do not have a trace of classic circuits, something that we did see in previous episodes and that gave a lot of chicha when enjoying them with cars of its time.
The best of F1 2020 compared to previous installments
Without a doubt the ” My Team ” mode , with all the changes arranged this year that have transformed it into a more interesting, simple (rather than simple) mode and without losing options compared to last year.
The first thing the player must do is choose whether to drive in the races or just dedicate himself to leading the team. Once selected, the mode offers the player three areas that they will need to customize to form the team. First of all, choose a main sponsor who contributes money to the structure, ensuring a good main economic fund, weekly support and a bonus if we meet objectives. With this weekly money we will be able to improve areas of the team, such as the chassis section, the engine section, the marketing department, etc.
With time and when the team levels up, we will be able to increase the sponsors and have some secondary ones, which will help things to go faster. Then we must make a deal with an engine supplier: Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault and Honda. Some engines have more performance, others improve durability, and differ greatly in price. Choose between one and the other, taking into account that the money saved can be invested in other areas of the team.
Finally, if we will be a main driver of the team, we must sign a teammate, being able to choose, for example, between F1 or F2 (cheaper) drivers. In our case, the chosen one was the American Juan Manuel Correa, costing us 1 million of the initial 5.2 million that our main sponsor gave us. Drivers have a level given by various characteristics such as skill, pace or experience (which we will be able to climb as we race). In fact, as a pilot we will be able to unlock improvements for ourselves.
We will also have the option to choose the length of the seasons and the action will begin. Weekly you should schedule team events to improve the experience of the different development sections, the morale of the group, get money with sponsor events, etc. We will be able to improve the departments by injecting money, which will allow us to make the engine evolutions faster, get the improvements to work 100% by investigating them or get each department to generate more evolution points each week.
“My Team” is, without a doubt, the most interesting mode of licensing for years.
Again we can manage the evolution of the car compared to the rest of the teams. Engine parts, aerodynamic solutions, chassis improvements (including electrical system) or durability of car components. This is unchanged from past gameplay, but has now been expanded a bit, greatly simplified, and overall improving the experience. It is a really fun, entertaining way, to which we will spend a lot of time with the options included this year. But without a doubt, this is the most interesting way of licensing for years.
Is there the possibility of playing split screen?
Not all the episodes of the saga have had a multiplayer mode with split screen available. But yes, one of the novelties of this year is that the broken screen returns six years later (the last one to include it was F1 2014). Players will be able to compete together on the same screen making a Grand Prize, from training to the race. Without a doubt one of the best news for those who enjoy this sport with friends or family also in the simulation of a video game.
What online modes does the new F1 game include?
Of course the online multiplayer mode, although it is not as extensive as other sports titles that are currently linked to the growing world of eSports, it does include a good number of options apart from the classic races.
In Grand Prix events players will be able to compete in various phases against pilots from all over the world, trying to achieve the best score, earning rewards and trophies. In the first phase we will have free training and classification available. The second phase of the events will be during the weekend, where we will have to compete in multiplayer races scheduled with fixed hours, but there is no participation limit.
We can also participate in Leagues, joining an already created one or creating our own League with our conditions. You can sign up for several and see all the important dates of the leagues you compete in by means of a general calendar. A fairly complete online mode that will greatly extend the hours of play. The player will be able to see a section of the latest news and broadcast of the F1 Esports Challenger and Pro Series races.
How does F1 2020 feel? Any performance issue?
For those who are fans of the saga, we have to say that the driving sensation has hardly changed compared to last season. The touch, the feeling when driving the vehicles is very similar. It is a perfect game to play with a controller, although several steering wheels can be connected, but it is obvious that the license has never been a simulator. It is a ride adapted to all audiences, with a certain simplicity that provides a somewhat arcade style compared to other licenses such as Gran Turismo, Assetto Corsa or the DiRT Rally by Codemasters themselves.
Therefore, they are simple games to enter, but that obviously will require a certain experience to master, although the learning curve is very light. The most important thing is that it is still a very fun driving and gameplay, far from too technical elements, even this year adding a casual mode (that only the little ones will use).
As for performance, we have to say that we have analyzed the PC version. We have played it on a recently assembled PC whose characteristics are well above the recommended requirements, and can be enjoyed in ultra-configuration. Compared to last year and in graphic relation, the game looks and is enjoyed the same. We have not had any notable graphic problems in our experience with it.
Is F1 2020 for me? We recommend buying from…
Without a doubt, fans of the license. I have played each and every F1 related Codemasters title in the last decade, and I am aware that not all of them have played a relevant role. We liked this one and we recommend its purchase to fans of the license, who wait every year to know if the annual edition will be good enough compared to the previous one to spend the money. It happens with many sports games: FIFA, NBA 2K, PES … In this case yes, it is worth buying this edition even if you have last year’s.
F1 2020 has a simple gameplay designed for a wide audience, imitating the F1 world as well as possible.
It is not a purchase for gamers who just enjoy the most realistic driving, almost like a simulator. If you are a fan of DiRT Rally 2.0 or rFactor, you should know that F1 2020 is not that kind of game and maybe it could disappoint you a bit if you are a simulator freak. This is somewhat lighter, with simple gameplay intended for a wide audience, mimicking the F1 world as well as possible.
It’s also not a game comparable to Forza Horizon, The Crew, or Need for Speed. Open worlds move away from this game, whose careers are always on the road and is more dedicated to simulating an F1 world championship. In this sense, their options are more closed. But as a speed game it is a highly recommended title, perfect for fans of this motor sport or speed games in all its aspects.
