F1 2011 – review

As impressive and formidable as its real-life counterpart, last year's Codemasters' F1 game was a fine piece of simulation and terrific fun but marred by elements of buggy incongruity that stood out in a sport where detail is paramount. Little <a href="http://www.blackugg-boots.com/grey-ugg-highkoo-amber-boots-women-p-100.html"><strong>grey Ugg Highkoo Amber Boots Women</strong></a> has changed on track this year, which gives F1 2011 the welcome chance to iron out these foibles and show a spot of race pace. Technically, the nuts and bolts – how the car performs – remain solid and have even improved, especially in combination with a steering wheel and race seat. With basic assists on, the weight and sense of delicate control is perfectly conveyed and will be more than enough of a handful for beginners (the lack of a basic tutorial seems an oversight), but upon taking full control the modelling is occasionally a little haphazard in rear downforce on quick corners and turning in on slow ones. But these are niggles at the high end of performance simulation; in general gameplay, the car is the star.Meanwhile, the introduction of DRS and KERS is frankly revelatory. There have been complaints from drivers about the amount of button-pressing required in-cockpit, and it appears they have a point. <a href="http://www.cheapnikesoccershoes.com/adidas-predator-trx-fg-purple-cheap-shoes-p-89.html"><strong>Adidas Predator TRX FG purple Cheap Shoes</strong></a> Managing both systems in practice and qualifying is a huge task, and, during a race, paying attention to being within one second of drivers (allowing activation of DRS or trying to fend off a DRS-enabled pursuer) is a nerve-racking distraction from the business of staying on the island, yet hugely satisfying when successful.Of the improvements, Codemasters has dealt with the major issues. Cars are no longer held needlessly in pit boxes; AI qualifying laps are grounded in reality and their level of aggression and lap times more consistent, making planning through a race strategically definitely achievable. Which is a good fit with new features such as more realistic tyre degradation and fuel mixture options – both plotted accurately – so, as has happened this season, the Pirellis will drop off the cliff <a href="http://www.cheapairjordansonline.com/air-jordan-35-all-grey-2-p-446.html"><strong>Air Jordan 3.5 All Grey 2</strong></a> with overuse. Some minor grievances do remain, however, and penalties are still applied a little randomly (even when not driving as Lewis Hamilton) and there's some indecision in overtaking by the AI , but they don't spoil the all-round experience.Which is where the game is at its best, immersive (even throwing in the option of the safety car) and engaging – concentrate too hard on threading the needle at Singapore's left-right-left turn 10 chicane and turn 11 will bite you – putting the player in the cockpit to a grippingly real extent.Reviewed using the Racer Pro Driving Simulator Seat (available from www.libertygames.co.uk) and the Logitech G27 Racing wheel (details at logitech.com)