Game review: F1 25 (Xbox Series X)
Codemasters has been developing racing games for as long as I have been alive, and the studio is still going strong since EA acquired it back in 2020. While the developer's portfolio was more diverse in the past, in more recent times, Codemasters has solely worked on Formula 1 video games instead.
FutureFive NZ reviewed F1 24 back in 2024, and we gave the game an 8.0/10. One year later, F1 25 has been released on most modern systems, and this year's iteration includes newer features and returning favourites.
While F1 24 was a solid game, the one thing that it lacked was more interesting game modes. Thankfully, F1 25 is more diverse because this year's game sees the return of the 'Braking Point 3' story mode from previous versions.
Sadly, I only played F1 24 last year, so I didn't get the chance to play the previous story modes. However, F1 25 includes a cinematic for newcomers like me that recap the events from previous games to get gamers reacquainted with the story.
In 'Braking Point 3', you get a chance to play as two different characters racing for the Konnersport team. The first character is Callie Mayer, who is an up-and-coming female racer, while the other is her partner Aiden Jackson.
The story mode is broken up into 15 different chapters, and there are both primary and secondary goals for you to complete. These missions can include getting a fast lap, winning a race, or even just overtaking a specific opponent.
This mode also has realistic-looking cutscenes with family drama added to it. The story mode might not be everyone's cup of tea, but I enjoyed playing through it. I found the story mode to be more interesting than the recent career modes added in the NBA 2K video games.
Another big single-player feature of F1 25 is the Career mode. It's similar to the story mode but without any of the drama and cutscenes. You don't have to win every race in Career mode either, as it's treated like a real unscripted sport. You have to win on your own merits in Career mode.
In this mode, you can either create your own character or play as an existing real-life pro. You are free to choose any team to represent, and you can even start your career in the F2 circuit. Not to mention, in each race, you can practice laps to get a better idea of the track layout before you participate in qualifying times.
If you feel your team isn't supporting you to their fullest, the Career Mode also lets you be a traitor and defect to another team. By doing this, the other team could provide you with better services as well as a faster car.
Another story mode added to the game is that you can play moments and chapters based from the upcoming F1 movie. As of the time of writing this review, only the prologue is available where you can play as Brad Pitt's character as he tries to beat someone else's lap time. All of the chapters will be available on June 30th, 2025 once the movie comes out worldwide.
The other big mode in F1 25 is F1 World. It is here where you can do all sorts of events such as Grand Prix, Ranked Multiplayer, Time Trials, and so much more. In a separate mode, split-screen multiplayer also returns, so you can race against a friend or family member on the same couch!
Lastly, the game features My Team 2.0, and it is here where you can be the owner of your own team. You are responsible for the team and its drivers, and the goal is to simply win as many races as you can. Team management is necessary to make sure your team comes out on top.
Now, let's talk about the graphics in F1 25. I was amazed by the performance of this game on Xbox Series X because it plays at a blistering fast 60fps at all times in 4K. The F1 cars and tracks look photorealistic, and you can even race in the rain for more challenging gameplay.
Speaking of gameplay, F1 25 caters to both beginners like me as well as hardcore fans. There are tons of racing aids you can turn on if you are rubbish at racing games to make the game easier for you. On the flip side, you can turn off all controller and visual aids to get a more simulation experience.
I also love the fact that this game has damage modelling too. I decided to crash into a wall at full speed for fun, and my car's wheels fell off. Thankfully, the game has a rewind feature you can use, so you don't have to quit a race if you make a silly mistake.
Usually, annually released sports games feel redundant, but I can safely say that F1 25 has loads of game modes that make it far superior to last year's F1 24. The story mode is fun to play, and I cannot wait to play through the chapters in the F1 movie. F1 fans should definitely pick this game up ASAP.
Verdict: 8.5/10
