FORMULA 1 2011

  

This years F1 2011 instalment has been as eagerly anticipated by petrol heads as FIFA 12 will be by footie fans. Codemasters continues their excellence by creating racing simulations and improving where the Bafta award winning F1 2010 left off.

The first changes you notice are the handling of the cars which have improved through adjustments made to suspension and wings, significant to how you want the car to react at low speed corners or high speed straights. It is more of a forgiving experience than its predecessor; the slightest twitch would previously result in taking your front wing off and hitting a barrier inMonaco! There is now the ability to correct the car whilst enjoying the race intensity and the speed translates well to the screen.

The AI has made vast improvements; the opposition is smarter and will react to your actions on the track. Another bonus is the challengers won't attack you at the expense of damaging their car or race position and furthermore, in qualifying times they are reflective on what has happened on the track rather than the driver or the car they drive.

The authenticity of the game is its main strength, everything you see on the TV. is in the game including 19 tracks, optional driving aids and this season's addition of KERS and DRS which add to a great racing experience (KERS gives you a short power boost and DRS reduces the drag on your rear wing).  Tyrechoice, track conditions and engine management all come into play which has an impact upon your days' performance.

Codemasters have shown that they listen to feedback from fans by the impressive addition of the safety car which is deployed after an accident. You are given partial control at this point and have the opportunity to make a tactical pit stop.

The career mode begins by competing in the championship in a low capacity team and car with the realism that you shouldn't be winning races in your first season. As the season progresses you add to your reputation and the bigger teams then start to take notice of you. A welcome new feature is the two-player spilt-screen and a co-op to add competitiveness. Multi-player races have improved with the full 24-car grid slots, 16 of them being human players.

Visually, the graphics are decent with the wet weather conditions fully complementing how great the tracks and cars look. The roar of the engines at high speed sounds as real as it could get and add to the sense of how fast you are travelling.

On the whole F1 2011 has made notable improvements and is a must have driving simulator and while it may at times be testing it is undoubtedly rewarding.

Publisher: Codemasters Birmingham

Formats: PS3, Xbox 360

Rating:8.5/10