F1 22 – Game

F1 22 received “generally favorable” reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic.

Eurogamer praised Codemasters’ implementation of simulation elements such as dynamic weather and wrote in favor of their exclusion of porpoising, but called the game “overly familiar” and “overly bloated”, writing, “…there’s a feeling 2022’s regulations have introduced as many problems as they have fixed, and that the positive impact of the new ruleset will not really be seen for some years to come.” GameSpot similarly praised the increased level of player agency, host of assist settings, and the authentic recreation of the new era of Formula One, but criticized the lack of iteration, hollow F1 Life mode, and the inclusion of microtransactions. IGN liked the inclusion of the Formula One sprint race format, virtual reality support, and the game’s rejuvenation of the franchise’s stagnating elements, but panned the “vapid” F1 Life mode’s replacement of the predecessors’ Braking Point mode. Regarding its monetization, the site wrote, “It’s probably a sad sign of the times that while previous Formula One games featured iconic cars from the sport’s history, F1 22 features an extensive set of… designer rugs, lounges, and lamps.” PC Gamer praised the inclusion of real-world standings updates, sprint races, the skill tree system, damage models, and wealth of player choice, but criticized the aging graphics, inconsistent AI, console controls, and lackluster addition of super cars, while noting that “the annual release has not felt this unnecessary since F1 2014.”

PCGamesN found itself “dulled to [F1 22’s] charms” and lamented the “…cumulative fatigue of having been through this experience so many times before in previous iterations, and having so little meaningful new content in F1 22 to relieve it.” Polygon stated, “F1 22 is not [a transformative work], but it did not need to be one — creating new cars, and the organic challenge of learning how to drive them on the limit, was transformation enough.” Push Square gave praise to the quality handling, good visuals, deep career modes, novel supercars, and robust customization while criticizing the numerous bugs, crashes, and screen tearing, as well as the aging game engine and insubstantial F1 Life mode. Shacknews lauded the overhauled racetracks, new circuits, remixed audio, new commentary, VR support, and the integration of new regulations and car designs, but disliked the “terrible” feel of the supercars, difficult AI, and persistent series issues. The Guardian gave the game a score of 3/5 stars and wrote, “F1 22 is technically stunning, and that, combined with the chance to drive this year’s cars on this year’s tracks, should make it irresistible to Formula One fans. As long as they manage to ignore the egregious F1 Life.”