F1 23
As evidenced by Netflix's Drive To Survive series the broadest appeal of F1 lies not on the track but off it. EA Sports' F1 23 leans into this even more this year, with the engrossing next chapter of their Breaking Point game mode.
The single-player mode thrusts the player into the fiery drama that can be an F1 team garage. Here you'll be tasked with completing challenges behind the heel, answering questions from the media, and making team business decisions, all while managing the personalities of the team bosses & the drivers.
Throughout the 17-chapter story that is Breaking Point, you'll be playing as a range of team members within the Konnersport Racing team. As drivers Aiden Jackson, Devon Butler, & Callie Mayer you'll be dropped into a range of mid-race scenarios with various goals such as; finishing ahead of specific rivals, regaining lost places, defending your position on track after technical mishaps or capitalising on shrewd strategic moves. Off the track you'll be making decisions as the team principal, with the hopes of improving the car, bringing in new income & simply keeping the drivers happy - the latter of which is easier said than done!
As a continuation of the story first included in F1 2021 this year's Breaking Point is vastly expanded & my favourite mode in the game. Breaking Point really captures the off-track drama that fans of Drive To Survive have grown to love, whilst also acting as the perfect introduction to racing in F1 23. Despite being 17 chapters Breaking Point is over & done like an F1 sprint race, as I was able to complete it in just a single weekend of playing.
Thankfully F1 23 doesn't end there. The game has 2 other deep modes which I've been coming to grips with over the last week.
First up is F1 World which is the perfect pick up & play offering with a fun reward loop. Here you create your own custom F1 World car - we went with a stunning white, purple & black livery - which you then upgrade as you collect rewards by completing daily, weekly or seasonal goals.
F1 World is great for short burst play sessions where you can complete a series of different races, get your rewards, upgrade the car & bounce out before you return at a later time.
If you want a more in-depth mode that will see you completing full race weekends, complete with multiple practice sessions, qualifying, sprint races & Grand Prix then the My Team mode is for you. In this mode you'll not only be able to customise your car but also your entire team including co-driver, research & development teams, sponsors etc.
My Team is certainly more catered to the hardcore fan wanting a more simulated F1 experience to immerse themselves. Meaning you won't be able to burn through the rubber in this one quickly, especially if you physically complete all sessions of each race weekend.
The feel of racing in F1 23 is absolutely fantastic. Even playing with a regular PS5 controller I felt like the cars were incredibly quick, agile & weighty.
The true joy of F1 23 comes as you look to improve your skills ever so slowly. I started my play sessions with a range of assists turned on so that I could ease my way into racing & get to really know the tracks before slowly removing the assists as I maintained my race pace. It's here during this process that the addictive nature of racing kicks in as you are ever striving for better & better lap times.
F1 World is great for this self-improvement loop with its 'Mastery' challenges which drop you onto a track with full assists & slowly removes them as you progress through the various levels.
F1 23 is a truly special racing game that I have been hooked on ever since I first stepped foot on the gas in my first race. For now, I'll be racing around the circuits, particularly the new Las Vegas track, eagerly anticipating the next instalment of Breaking Point.
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