F1 2013 Game Review: Back to the Past
The new version of the official F1 World Championship game has arrived. F1 2013 retains the elements that have made the series successful since its return on PS3/360 and PC, while adding a new game mode that feels infused with turbo and legend.
First of all, we F1 fans always ask ourselves the same question: why is the 2013 version of the game released when the season is entering its last quarter? Wouldn’t it be more sensible to release the game in March, when the hostilities begin in Australia? Commercial logic versus plain logic!
Small touch-ups welcome
The attention to detail. That’s what characterizes this 2013 version of Codemasters’ F1. There are indeed few changes in gameplay, but welcome adjustments have been made. The use of DRS and KERS remains crucial in the quest for the best time. The single-seaters respond perfectly, offering gameplay that can be calibrated with various assists. It is, of course, recommended to disable them to stick as closely as possible to reality.
The wear of the tires and the amount of fuel onboard always influence the driving. One of the major new features of this edition is the use of curbs, which are more treacherous than last year. The “climbing” butchers will be in for a shock!
Pleasure for the eyes and ears
This 2013 version of Codemasters’ game continues in the same vein as its predecessors in terms of presentation. On PS3, the graphics are spot-on, the modeling of the cars is almost perfect, the rendering of the V8s is clear and pleasing to our ears craving RPMs, and the circuits and surroundings remain true to reality. The Classic mode features a sepia tone, which may or may not be welcome. It’s up to the player to decide whether to activate it or not… In short, a flawless performance for F1 2013 from a technical standpoint.
The menus are clear and accessible, offering a multitude of challenges, offline or online, ensuring many hours of gameplay.
Enter the legend!
Let’s quickly move past the traditional game modes such as Career, Season, Quick Race, or Scenario (which replaces Champion Mode with specific challenges to complete) to focus on the real novelty of the game: the Classics mode.
As the name suggests, this mode allows you to relive the golden years of F1, the turbo era. You can drive legendary cars such as the 1988 Lotus “Camel”-Honda, the Ferrari 87-88C, or the Williams “Canon”-Judd FW12. However, more options would have been appreciated, like the 1987 Williams-Honda, the 1988 McLarens…
The developers have worked hard on the gameplay by implementing a driving experience very different from the “2013” single-seaters to stick as closely as possible to the reality of the 1980s. Here, there’s no DRS, KERS, or other gimmicks—victory will have to be achieved by the strength of your thumb (or arms if you’re using a force-feedback wheel). The single-seaters slide, the turbo effect is felt, and you’ll experience some tense moments during braking, not to mention the superbly rendered backfire that will heat your face. Old school, as they say! However, it’s impossible to compete in a full championship in this mode.
And if you choose the Classic Edition version of the game (a bit more expensive than the base version), you’ll have the pleasure of driving single-seaters from the 90s. Williams Rothmans, Ferrari… will be included. For those who have already ordered their game in the base version, rest assured the “90s Mode” will be available as a DLC on PSN and Xbox Live.
On the legendary drivers’ side, great names have answered the call. Mansell, Prost, Andretti… just to name a few. We will regret the (unjustifiable!) absence of Magic Senna. But as the developers have pointed out, the commercial rights of F1 are “very restrictive”. Nevertheless, let’s rejoice in being able to enjoy the drivers already included in this F1 2013.
Finally, the cherry on top, circuits that had disappeared from the championship make their comeback, to better fit the 80s/90s vibe. Brands Hatch, Imola, Estoril, and Jerez are available, allowing us to get back on tracks that shaped the history of F1. The Classics mode deserves a 10/10 on its own.
This 2013 edition is an essential purchase for absolute F1 fans if you have never bought previous versions. Compared to 2012, the adjustments to the driving are welcome and significantly enhance the gaming experience. The Classics mode alone justifies the purchase for those nostalgic for the great years of F1. However, we regret that Codemasters couldn’t include more content in this mode. Nevertheless, we can only urge you to grab this game as soon as possible.
