F1® 25 Review Summary

Improved handling and physics: The game features significantly improved handling and physics compared to previous titles, especially F1 24. Players report a more realistic, responsive, and enjoyable driving experience across various conditions and control methods. This improvement is a core element of the game's positive reception.

Expanded and improved My Team mode: The My Team mode has been significantly expanded and improved, offering more customization, strategic depth, and team management options. Reviewers find the mode more engaging and less repetitive than in previous games, with the owner-focused gameplay feeling natural.

Significantly improved graphics and performance: Reviewers consistently praise the enhanced graphics and visual fidelity of the game. Improvements include better lighting, more detailed tracks (especially with LIDAR scanning), and overall sharper visuals, contributing to a more immersive experience. The game also runs better on PC compared to previous titles.

Improved and more realistic AI: The game features improved AI behavior, with more aggressive and realistic opponents that make mistakes, defend positions, and battle each other. This leads to more challenging and engaging races, avoiding issues like DRS trains seen in previous titles.

Enjoyable Braking Point story mode: The Braking Point story mode is a well-received addition, offering an engaging narrative with interesting characters and plot twists. Reviewers find it a fun and immersive experience, providing a break from the core racing gameplay.

Unrealistic/Inconsistent AI behavior: AI behavior is a recurring concern, with reports of unrealistic driving, inconsistent difficulty, and strategic errors. Some reviewers find the AI too easy even at high difficulty settings, while others note overpowered AI in certain situations. Issues like poor starts, excessive aggression, and unrealistic tire wear are also mentioned.

Lacks innovation; minimal improvements: Several reviewers feel the game offers minimal improvements over previous installments, particularly F1 24, with some describing it as a reskin or DLC. They criticize the lack of innovation, reused content, and the persistence of old bugs. Some even consider older titles in the series to be superior.

Problematic online multiplayer experience: Multiplayer races are frustrating due to aggressive players causing collisions in corners. Online gameplay suffers from erratic car behavior, with cars rubberbanding and teleporting unpredictably due to netcode issues.

My Team mode changes disliked: The revamped My Team mode is widely disliked due to the inability to play as a custom driver. Reviewers feel this change diminishes the personal connection and enjoyment of the mode, making it less immersive and more complicated than previous versions.

Overpriced for content offered: Some reviewers feel the game is overpriced, especially considering the lack of significant improvements over previous installments. Optimization issues and frame rate drops further detract from the game's value.

My Team mode overhaul: My Team mode receives significant changes, focusing on team ownership and management rather than driver/owner roles. Players manage all aspects of the team, including research and driver selection, creating a deeper management experience. These changes are generally well-received, adding depth and engagement to the career mode.

Tire, weather strategic importance: Tire management and weather dynamics are crucial, influencing car behavior and requiring strategic decisions. Wet weather conditions significantly impact gameplay, and tire degradation affects car handling under braking.

Reverse tracks: mixed reception: The game features reverse layouts on a few familiar tracks. While some find it a cool addition, others consider it not particularly noteworthy.

11th team career option: The option to include an 11th team in career mode is a welcome addition, enhancing the longevity and variety of the career experience. Career mode in existing teams remains largely unchanged.

Path tracing: demanding, impressive: Path tracing significantly enhances visuals but demands substantial hardware resources, often requiring DLSS/FG to maintain smooth frame rates. Frame generation technologies like DLAA can help maintain high refresh rates, but users should be aware of the performance impact of path tracing.

Good VR performance: The game generally runs well in VR, indicating good performance and optimization for virtual reality setups.

Crossplay working: Crossplay functionality appears to be working as expected, allowing players on different platforms to play together.

Generally positive reception and improvements: Many reviewers recommend the game, citing improvements over previous installments, particularly F1 24. They praise the overall experience, calling it a step in the right direction and a worthwhile purchase for both newcomers and long-time fans of the series. Some consider it the best F1 game in recent years.

Wait for a sale: Several reviewers suggest waiting for a sale before purchasing the game. This recommendation is often due to concerns about the full price, suggesting the game might not be worth it at its initial cost, or because of the annual release cycle of EA games.

Technical issues need resolution: Some reviewers mention technical issues such as crashing, performance problems, and the lack of triple monitor support. These issues lead some to recommend waiting for patches or even considering a refund until the problems are resolved. One review appears to be a review bomb, giving the game a 0/10 due to a non-functional executable file.

Better than F1 24: Multiple reviewers explicitly state that F1 25 is a better choice than F1 24. This recommendation is based on the perceived improvements and enhancements in the newer installment, making it the preferred option for those choosing between the two.

Dissatisfaction with franchise direction: Some reviewers express dissatisfaction with the game's direction or the developer's handling of the franchise. They suggest alternative development approaches, such as biennial releases with DLC, or even transferring the license to a more competent studio. One reviewer, a long-time fan, indicates this will likely be their last purchase of the title.

F1 movie content included: The game includes a preview of the upcoming F1 movie content, with the remaining chapters to be released later. While some find it a nice bonus, it's not considered game-changing.

Awaiting future game updates: Some reviewers are waiting for future updates and patches to address potential physics issues or bugs. They plan to update their reviews as the game evolves.

Missing classic cars: A recurring complaint is the absence of classic cars, especially given the 75th-year anniversary of F1. This is a disappointment for fans of historical content.

Recycled content, revamped modes: Some reviewers note that a significant portion of the game's content is recycled from previous titles. However, modes like Braking Point and My Team have been revamped.

Updated driver grid, model quirks: The driver grid is updated, but some driver models share the same height for technical reasons, which some reviewers found amusing.