F1 2023 Closed Beta Out Now.
Another year, another F1 game on the horizon. With the season already started, Codemasters and EA are once again ready for the F1 launch window. The game will feature 2 betas: One on April 28-May 1, and the other one on May 19-22.
There are a few changes for this year's iteration. The main focus of the game has been on the online department. The game will feature F1 world, which covers all of the game's online aspects. You can complete challenges to upgrade and customize your car. Winning races under certain conditions is another way to earn "Tech Points"; these will help you upgrade your car.
Unfortunately, customization is very limited in this year's iteration. You will still have to settle for the hideous fake liveries with fake sponsors. It is unacceptable that there is not a proper livery editor in F1 23. Games like Gran Turismo, or Forza Horizon do this better, and feature more cars.
Another online feature is the license system. It is like any other online racing game. You will get points for clean driving, and be rewarded for driving with fewer assists. The system is dynamic so you can waste all of your progress if you are a victim of net code or lag, and end up accidentally crashing into someone.
Looks like F1 23 will also feature a 'boost feature'. Perhaps this is a season-pass sort-of-thing that gives you a boost to unlock loot faster.
Other minor changes the game will feature are a reworked HUD and overlays, being more congruent to F1 TV broadcasts. The new circuits like Las Vegas and Qatar will be available at launch, as it should.
Breaking Point is back
The cringy, story-driven mode "Breaking Point" is back after a year of absence. For the looks of it, the story will feature a new F1 team called Konnersport Racing Team. There is not much information regarding this new team, but we can expect a predictable underdog storyline. "It will be your job to take them to the top."
If you have played this mode before, or played games like Grid Legends, you know what to expect. This mode is more fun to watch than to play it. You are usually put in the middle of the race with either damage or the need to overtake someone. The scenarios are heavily scripted; you do not have any real control over the story's outcome.
Check out their cringy team reveal presentation:
You are basically fooling yourself. Each scripted scenario serves as an incentive to unlock the next cutscene. You might have to complete a handful of these 'races' before driving the story forward (no pun intended),
You do not need to buy the game in order to enjoy it. Just wait for your favorite content creator to upload the videos on YouTube.
In conclusion
F1 23 looks like a tolerable iteration, so if you have not played any of these games before, give it a try, if you have $69.99 floating around. Otherwise, stay away from it, at least for the current time. Wait for a discount, they usually come after a couple of months. Why?
Nothing is mentioned about changes in driving physics or AI behavior. No mention about wet weather improvements or having a paddock-like experience or press conferences. No livery editor, no significant changes to career mode. Classic F1 cars are also not present in the game. No visual improvements.
Do not expect this game to be 100% next-gen experience. EA and Codemasters are famous for their passivity to bring significant changes. Take FIFA or Madden for example; the games have been more or less the same for the last 10 years.
Too bad that exclusive licenses hinder competition. Perhaps the F1 license should be open to anyone willing to use it. There are better publishers and better developers that can produce a better F1 game.
[Source: Insider Gaming]
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