F1 25 Review, Career Mode Impressions, Gameplay Videos and Top Features

F1 25 from developer Codemasters could represent the next big step for racing sims. 

While weaving in EA Sports-styled sports game features more than ever, F1 25 also brings back a fan favorite story mode and even a Hollywood movie tie-in atop the normal simulation-heavy features hardcore fans have come to love. 

As always, the trick with annual sporting releases is doing enough to bring back fans annually while luring in new audiences. 

A multi-pronged effort in simulation and broadening appeal clearly positions F1 25 to do just that, provided the emphasis on fan feedback and welcoming, open arms to new players offers entry points and depth with long-lasting replay value.

Gameplay

A year ago, F1 24 layered atop the already-fantastic gameplay with a new handling system and suspensions that shifted a vehicle’s center of gravity in refreshing ways. 

There aren’t nearly as many highlight-worthy changes to the gameplay experience this time out, but when the on-track feel was so good already, it’s hard to knock the series for dialing in the focus on narrative and depth of the surrounding systems and modes. 

On the track, the physics still feel great, and for those seeking depth, the fact temperatures and driver behavior impact everything from A.I. opponent response to tire durability is a nice touch. 

It’s all about player agency, too. The long-standing attention to detail and tweakable bits mean vehicles in different classes feel distinct. Tack on the part-by-part customization and then layer on the race-day strategy and management side and there’s a lot of skill expression and fun experimentation to be had. 

Like last year, opponent A.I. is strong again, too. Each race isn’t always as cut and dry as those opponents following the same lines to perfection. There’s a degree of randomness to the action in a realistic way, plus their reactions to the player’s approach. 

Graphics and Presentation

A year ago, revamped lighting and shadowing detail really stuck out within the series’ dynamic weather systems. 

This year sees the expected annual bump to overall fidelity and performance, making F1 25 the best-looking game in the series and one of the better-looking sports games overall. The ability to dial into a super-detailed interior or take in sweeping locations with nice draw distances is always a plus. 

The game promises that tracks have been updated with better laser-scanned curvatures and surface updates, which will be felt by attentive players. So much so, individual barrier placements from specific event weekends are now in the game on certain tracks. 

Which is all well and good in the name of authenticity. What a more casual-minded audience might notice, though, for example, is that the depth of background environments and little details in things like crowd and foliage density have really been upgraded. 

It’s a little thing, but it’s clear that facial animations have received a, well, facelift. They seem more lifelike and with the times now, which is a nice thing to have to help stay immersed while chatting in the post-race pressers with the media.

Beyond repetitiveness in radio chatter that is otherwise immersive, F1 25 impresses in its ability to pull players of all skill levels in and give them a taste of speed and depth that really isn’t matched by most other racers on the market. 

Braking Point, My Team and More

Here’s where F1 25 really emphasizes this year. 

Braking Point is back alongside main characters Callie Mayer and Aiden Jackson. The series hasn’t been leaning into the beloved mode every year, but the tale surrounding Konnersport Butler Global Racing Team returns in a big way here. 

The story mode modernizes in the right ways, too, giving players notable cutscene developments and the like. But player choice also matters in terms of character selection, as well as on-track goals and narrative beats that keep things interesting. 

While Braking Point has traditionally felt like a nice onboarding ramp for new players in the name of accessibility, this year it arrives with a fourth, more challenging difficulty level to up the ante. 

My Team is another mode getting a massive shakeup. In what is actually a refreshing twist, the game is forsaking a little realism in the name of video gameism here—players can now only choose to be the owner of a team rather than implementing their own created driver into the mix. 

Players still control drivers during races, of course, and being an owner-driver is a little jarring. But it’s all in the name of fleshing out the game mode. It’s abundantly clear that player feedback has been a big emphasis for the mode. There’s more strategy necessary than ever to properly dish out skill allocations and cap spending across a roster of drivers and garages to find long-term success. 

Managing a team and overall progression is just straight-up fun. The well-received Accolades system makes its way to My Team and gives players a chance to outdo opposing teams. Doing so gives players an advantage when it comes to fan interest, meaning more perks and things like realistic sponsorship deals. 

Speaking of progression, engineers, personnel and corporate are the three facilities players manage along the way now. They’re pretty cut and dry by name alone, but handling driver contracts in personnel and overall team financial strategy in the corporate section is truly immersive and brings in an RPG-like layer of simulation to the experience. 

In a unique first for the series, the game will have a crossover with the Brad Pitt movie “F1” and feature the fictional Apex Grand Prix team in mods such as My Team. 

F1 25 also runs the gamut of experienced online suite options, including the strong F1 World and otherwise. There’s a new decal editor, liveries, and the expected overarching progression and list of collaborative and player-versus-player modes. 

The mentioned collaborative side of things is really interesting, as players can join widespread efforts with other players to earn unlocks. 

After cross-platform upgrades last year, it shouldn't be surprising to hear that F1 25 runs well and features a robust list of options, too.

Conclusion

F1 25 has entered perhaps the most interesting phase of an annual sports title—the rapid expansion of in-depth modes because the gameplay itself is so solid.

The already-successful on-track and immersive team-building framework returns here with some tweaks to the latter and the big return of a beloved story mode.

Striking such a balance isn't easy, but F1 25 manages to nail the experience for new players and veterans alike. Meaning, it's the best possible entry point, but robust enough for returning players to pick up, too.