Game Review: F1 23 – The Pinnacle of Formula 1 Gaming

This article was initially posted on my Patreon page.
Hello, dear readers! My name is Victor and I am a blind gaming, technology, and entertainment journalist. I am also an ambassador for universal design and an accessibility consultant. F1 23 was unleashed upon racing gamers around the world last week and we got to try it out on PS5. The good news is that Electronic Arts and Codemasters have outdone themselves this year with F1 23, making it the best entry in the acclaimed series to date. With improved handling, enhanced graphics, and the continuation of the thrilling story mode, Braking Point, this game is an absolute must-play for Formula 1 enthusiasts everywhere.
The bad news is that I am blind, so I wasn’t able to play the game myself, aside from getting the feel of it on the DualSense controller by stumbling around in the dark on the track. So the impressions below are based on what Alina told me from her experience with F1 23.
Although the game comes with a few accessibility options, such as colorblind modes, larger subtitles, text-to-speech, and speech-to-text for chat, there are no sound cues, menu narration, or other helpful features that could assist a blind player in navigating the menus and the races. I’m curious to see what’s happening in the years to come with accessibility for driving games, as Xbox will release the new Forza Motorsport this fall, which is confirmed to be fully playable by blind gamers.
That being said, let’s get to the actual review.
F1 23 marks the much-requested return of Braking Point 2, the captivating story mode that Codemasters introduced in F1 2021. Spanning 17 chapters, this narrative will keep players engaged for a few hours, over one or two afternoons. Despite its relatively short duration, Braking Point 2 was a personal favorite of Alina’s, as it added depth and excitement to the game.
The gameplay mechanics will be familiar to longtime fans of the series, but there are also some new things to talk about. F1 23 comes with refined handling and physics, both of which have been meticulously fine-tuned based on real feedback from F1 teams. Vehicle handling has undergone significant improvements; cars now have better traction when braking, accelerating, and cornering, resulting in a more predictable and realistic behavior, even when playing on a controller.
F1 23 can proudly stand as the official video game of the 2023 Formula One World Championship, as it features all the cars and drivers from the season. This level of authenticity is further elevated by the gameplay, which allows players to compete against their favorite drivers and teams, truly capturing the spirit of the World Championship.
Advertising an impressive lineup of 26 tracks, F1 23 offers a truly immersive and authentic Formula 1 driving experience. From iconic circuits to the Las Vegas and Qatar tracks, the newest and hottest two destinations in F1, players can immerse themselves in the challenges and thrills of the 2023 season. Other updates on the track include the revamped layouts of the Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya in Spain and the Red Bull Ring in Austria. Furthermore, various tracks throughout the game have received minor improvements, such as updated curb profiles and added details to off-track sections, including impressive enhancements to the grandstands at Miami.
When it comes to the presentation, visually, F1 23 takes a leap forward with its new color encoding system inspired by film and TV practices. Paired with lighting enhancements, the game delivers a true-to-life look and feel that immerses players in the world of Formula 1 like never before.
F1 23 should be the ultimate destination for those who want to experience the adrenaline-pumping pursuit of a World Championship from the driver’s seat of the fastest cars on the planet. With its refined handling, great graphics, and the continuation of the engaging Braking Point story, F1 23 sets a new benchmark for Formula 1 gaming.
F1 23 is available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox series S/S and PC.
Review copy provided by EA
Victor Dima
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