Codemasters F1 2011 review

"The game is harder, leaning far more toward simulation than 2010"

Gameplay

I am going to start with the biggest update that was added to F1 2011 and that is a brand new handling system. Codemasters spent a lot of time looking for that authentic feel after F1 2010 fell short and it has paid off. The new suspension system is far better than its predecessor. Now we have a system which allows us to correct over-steer, attack kerbs and really have a better feel with the car. In F1 2010 aggressive acceleration out of a corner could well spin you 180 degrees. Now you can feel that it is about to do that and dip the throttle. Other than that the gameplay has not come on too much. Codemasters have taken F1 2010 and ironed out all the creases. There are no little problems with pit stops (yet), the AI seems far more balanced and now gives a lot more of a challenge. However one thing that I have noticed is that whilst going through high speed corners the back end can still step out even though it should be completely planted, hopefully that is something to do with my set up, some more experimenting needs to be done!

Graphics

The graphics have not come on too much from 2010. The yellowy-Browny haze that was present on 2010 is now gone in favour of a far more brighter, vivid game with plenty of colour. Once again 2011 was more about tweaking what they had in 2010 rather than completely overhauling what they had.

Features

The addition of a safety car was brilliant for all F1 fans. It is always the little details that count and this one certainly does. However there is still a lack of out-laps, podiums, and something I would like to see which is driving back to the pits at the end of the race. The new on-screen information is brilliant. You can now monitor how you tyres are holding on, you can see where you would come out if you were to pit which is something I could really have done with in F1 2010. Two things I was really looking forward to was KERS and the DRS and Codemasters have not disappointed. This new addition means that you have to think tactically. If there is car close up behind you at the begging of a lap maybe you want to save your KERS to make sure that you can defend you position by the DRS zone.

Overall

This is a no-brainer for most massive F1 fans. The new cars, DRS and KERS with the decent handling system makes this a must buy. However the more casual fan may want to miss this one out. The game is harder, leaning far more toward simulation than 2010, and on top of this the additions from 2010 may not necessarily be worth it. I feel that 2011 is the game that 2010 should have been on release. Were this the first game to come out from Codemasters with the F1 license then maybe this game would be a solid 9 or 10 but because this is a "sequel" it has to get a...

8/10

Posted by Sean Russell - Follow him on twitter @SeanRussellF1.

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