F1 2019

As the official game of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship, it goes without saying that we have all twenty drivers, 10 teams and 21 circuits available for the 2019 season . The recreation of the cars and circuits is outstanding, in line with the previous installments. Of course, it is the first installment in many years without Fernando Alonso, something that can affect sales in Spain. Of course , the classic vehicles that have given such good results are back, with true myths such as the 1978 Lotus 79, the 1991 McLaren MP4 / 6, the 2009 Brawn BGP 001 that swept the world championship or, surely, the public's favorite Spanish, the Renault R26 with which Fernando Alonso conquered his second world championship far back in 2006. In addition, the Legends Edition includes two other mythical vehicles: the 1990 McLaren MP4 / 5B by Ayrton Senna and the Ferrari F1-90 of Alain Prost. But that's not all, since, as a novelty for F1 2019, the F2 category has been included , although, of course, from the last 2018 season (Codemasters will include the 2019 season later).

This F2 category will be the starting point of the Professional Career mode . Codemasters has tried to recreate the category jump that involves moving from F2 to F1, and has done so with a short, rather guided introduction that also serves to introduce our rivals. This introduction comes down to a series of final race sections and post-race videos, in which we meet, among others, Devon Butler, who will be the new maximum rival in the game. These first events have little impact on our future, since the result of the season will depend on our result in a last event in which we can achieve the F2 championship ... or stay on the doorstep. Once the F2 season is over, it will be time to collect the fruit of a great season (which we have not seen) and make the leap to Formula 1.

In our office we will have the proposal of the different teams. Of course, the top teams will have more demanding requirements to meet, although they will also allow us to fight for podiums, victories, and even for the World Cup. We will not be the only ones to make the jump, since both Devon Butler (our rival) and Lukas Weber (the one who was a teammate in F2) will make the jump. This causes 3 real pilots to fall off the game grid during Professional Career mode. The time between our virtual debut in F2 and the jump to F1 is quite short, and it takes a little more emphasis on F2 in this mode , since there is no option to run the full championship within this way. It really tastes very little.

Once in the big circus, the development of the Professional Career mode is practically identical to what was seen in F1 2018 . We can configure the duration of the races and the classification, as well as the level of the AI. During the weekend, we will begin with the training sessions, which will serve to familiarize us with the circuit and, on the way, do some training that will bring us resource points. These points, again, will help us to evolve the car through the R&D tree, divided into four sections (engine, aerodynamics, chassis and durability) where we can choose between different parts to be developed (not always successfully, yes) and thus evolve the car. It is not essential, but it is highly recommended to have a competitive car all season. Interviews after the sessions also return, maintaining even the "virtual journalists" themselves. These interviews will serve to adjust the profile of the pilot and his relationship with the team and the public, although, at the moment of truth, they are somewhat bland.

During the season, in addition, we will have to take into account the wear of the parts, always bearing in mind the regulations in this regard, since we have a limited number of spare parts ... and when we exhaust them, the change will cost us a penalty. Another improvement in the Professional Career mode is the negotiation of our contract, since, depending on our performance, we will have contract reviews, also during the season, and we can even look for new challenges in another team, something they can also do the AI pilots. Beyond the F1 World Cup, we will be invited throughout the season to some exhibition events, in which we will drive some classic vehicles and that can be a great opportunity to improve our reputation if a rival driver competes ... but they also represent a original touch and brings an extra variety to the season, with some classic vehicles that will delight fans.

There is nothing extraordinary in this Professional Career mode, although it manages to have fun and hook while playing, which in the end is the important thing. It fulfills its mission and even provides some new features that make it even more attractive.

Classic vehicles will not only be available in Professional Career mode, since we also have Championship mode available, in which we can play various championships with vehicles from the current F1 season, F2 or with classic vehicles. We will not be able to access them all from the beginning, since some need to be unlocked. Here, in addition, we have the classic exhibition events that appear during Career mode. In general, these events are entertaining, mainly due to the opportunity to drive historical cars and the variety of them (overtaking, checkpoint challenge, etc). In addition, the owners of the Legends Edition will have an extra with Senna and Prost as protagonists that, the truth, is most disappointing. Just a few generic events, without any context or based on any historical duel, in which you drive the two legends and their vehicles.

You could not miss the most classic modes , such as Grand Prix, in which to configure our own weekend or even a series of events, and the Time Trial mode, in which to fight only against the clock ... and against the times of other players. Everything that could be expected, no more, no less.

Of course, we can also choose the multiplayer aspect if we are looking for a greater challenge. We have weekly events scheduled, which work similar to a grand prize, and we will even have to qualify. There was no shortage of leagues, which we can create to play with friends with custom rules or join an existing one, fast races (with or without classification) and local network games. No, there is no trace of broken screen. Superlicense is once again our “license” on the internet, measuring both performance and sportsmanship on the track. In addition, our trophies will be shown to the rest of the players in it, in case we want to intimidate the rival or simply show off to everyone. The multiplayer of F1 2019 , allows us to customize our driver, as well as the vehicle itself. In fact, we have a car designed by Ross Brawn and Pat Symmons. ESports are also present, with in-game competition and the chance to watch the races. In the races we have had no lag problems of any kind and the performance has been satisfactory.

The most staunch fans will also enjoy an exhibition of the vehicles, where they can be seen in great detail and even know more about them, with some information. All vehicles in the game are included, both classic and current. Finally, we have Projector mode, in which we can see our latest races and store the best ones.

Both in the race and in these repetitions, we will once again see the eternal Codemasters EGO engine at full capacity. The versatile engine comes with a few improvements to F1 2019, most notably the lighting, which makes the game a noticeable leap in quality, especially at night races . Improvements are also noted in the textures of the vehicles, both in bodywork (with a more realistic tone, with less plastic appearance) and in the tires. Both vehicles and circuits feel more detailed and the weather effects are spectacular. Of course, without being any revolution, which is not expected until the next generation is a reality. Only a little more fidelity is missing when it comes to recreating the pilots who, although recognizable, are below the rest of the sections. A minor detail in an outstanding technical section, with a good performance (the desired 60fps) and that will delight fans for the level of detail achieved.

The sound is maintained at a good level , with the sound of the vehicles well recreated, both the poor sound of the current hybrid engines and the glorious sound of the classics, with the latest V10s and its almost 20,000 rpm in the lead. It is lacking, however, one more point of force in the sound, more after having played Assetto Corsa Competizione. As usual, F1 2019 arrives fully folded and translated into our language, with a correct dubbing, although sometimes the lip sync is not completely adjusted.

Like the graphics engine, the 2019 F1 gameplay features minor tweaks that enhance the overall package . The aerodynamics have been improved and the cars feel with more grip on the track. This does not mean that the control has been simplified, but that the movements in curves, especially in fast curves, are more natural and provide an extra confidence to the player, as well as spectacularity. On the other hand, the good (and moderate) use of the accelerator can make the difference between scratching a few hundredths of the clock or ending up against the wall (in which case we can pull the classic flashback to go back). Something similar occurs with the brake, since (always without ABS) it is easier to lock when braking hard, with the corresponding plane in the tire. In addition, we have noticed a decrease in permissiveness with the pianos, which make the car lose control more quickly than in other years. The set is a delight, with apparently docile vehicles, but that will require great skill at the wheel to take them to the limit and that produce the most satisfying sensations.

These sensations, of course, increase with a good steering wheel, which increases precision in handling and fun. The standard Force Feedback can be a bit loose, but there are various configuration parameters to adjust it to the feeling of each player, making it possible to feel not only every piano or curve, but even the regularities of the asphalt. Of course, we have various driving aids so that any player can take command.

As if that were not enough, to round off the handling , the differences between vehicles are transferred to the track , we will see that a Mercedes easily overtakes a Red Bull on a straight line, or how well the Ferrari chassis works, but not only that, since that we have seen that the F2 behave in a totally different way, somewhat coarser. Classic vehicles have also been improved, which are still the most "rebellious", but have improved their sensations and are easier to tame ... with enough skill.

The improvement in control and graphic improvement is joined by a notable improvement in rival AI , which now closes spaces better and also searches for them more aggressively. In addition, they have been able to reduce the classic racket outlets. The whole set makes racing more fun and exciting than ever. Of course Codemasters has hit the nail on the head in this regard, and the game is the most fun in recent years.