F1 2012

The Formula 1 races are regarded as being among the most difficult racing competitions in the world, due to the very high speeds, incredibly powerful cars and the competent drivers. Naturally, a lot of work goes into assuring the fact that the vehicles can withstand the pressure of the races, by using the latest technologies when it comes to aerodynamics and stress endurance.

F1 2012 has been developed by the veterans at Codemasters and it includes everything related to the 2012 Formula 1 season, such as all the original drivers, cars, tracks and various other personalities related to the sport. Thus, if you intend on challenging the stars of the competition, including Fernando Alonso or Sebastian Vettel, the game at hand puts everything at your disposal in order to do so.

Since the developers have a long history with racing games, you should not be surprised if this title feels familiar as well, since many elements are borrowed from other series. To illustrate that, you just have to take a look at the career mode, which evolves more or less in the same way as it did in GRID, only with F1 cars instead.

To start off with, you are first required to pass a series of test, which also have the role to give you a glimpse at what to expect for the rest of the game. The “Young driver” tests teach you how to corner and handle the vehicle on the track, as well as take advantage of the various special mechanics that can give you the upper hand. Hence, just as in GRID, the instant replay function can be used whenever you make a driving mistake, although it does have a limit on higher difficulty levels.

As for the cars themselves, they act and feel extremely natural out on the track, especially since you really need to heed to the instructor's advice if you want to stand a chance against the other competitors. Wheels get damaged, corners must be handled with care and the engine managed as closely as possible, since everything is critical in assuring that you maintain the vehicle in optimal racing shape.

On a closing note, the graphic engine must be praise as well, because it greatly adds to the overall atmosphere and gives you plenty to admire, whenever you get the chance to do so. Hence, F1 2012 truly is one of the best simulators out there, although it does require a passion for the sport to be enjoyed thoroughly.