Jordy D
F1 25 is the 23rd instalment in the official F1-branded games published by EA Sports.
For those familiar with the franchise, F1 25 takes all the elements that have made previous versions popular – and heightens them to an even greater level of realism, immersion, and thrilling gameplay. However, for those who are not into racing games, this does little to reach across the aisle of the gaming community.
2025 feels like the year in which Formula 1 racing is evolving beyond its dedicated base and even further into the mainstream population – especially with the release of the F1 film alongside this game.
To begin with, the game is visually stunning. The cars look and feel sleek to drive – and it brilliantly re-creates world-famous courses with realistic environmental changes depending on the time of day and weather.
From the moment you are thrust into your first race, you can feel the vibrations of the car, the adrenaline of speeding around the track, and the minute details around the courses. It has reached a level of immersion that feels difficult to top. The realistic physics also create an intoxicating experience that makes the player want to master the course to achieve the best times and secure first place.
The level of customisation is expansive, and with several difficulty settings and assists to choose from, the experience will vary significantly from player to player. It can be rather simple – where much of the braking is done for you – or there can be an entirely hands-off approach.
The My Team mode has seen some much-needed changes from previous instalments. In it, you jump in as the owner of a new team and grow it from the ground up to glory.
Developers Codemasters have dubbed this My Team 2.0 due to changes in the management and driver system. Previously, the owner character also took the driver’s seat. This time, you get the option to drive as either of the two drivers you’ve hired.
Research and development have also been tweaked – meaning you now make changes to each car individually to develop every aspect of your team’s strategy and performance.
The game expands on these new features and intertwines them with the return of the story mode, naturally named Braking Point 3. It continues the story-based mode introduced in F1 23, in which you take charge of the fictional Konnersport team – its owners, managers, and racers – to compete against the teams we’re all too familiar with.
It also includes additional features outside of racing, which elevate the realism and provide a unique look into the world of Formula 1. These include making managerial decisions about sponsorships, team activities, and media events. All of this can impact team morale as well as your public perception.
The well-acted cutscenes also provide some much-needed breathing room between each race.
If racing games or Formula 1 are your thing – brilliant. This will offer everything you’re hoping for and more. If they’re not, I can’t see this changing your mind. While it includes much-needed revamps to features from previous instalments, it doesn’t offer much for those who don’t get a kick out of sports-style games.
As with all sports games, there’s only so much deviation possible from their core rules – and this game has masterfully added as much imagination, customisation, and immersion as possible within those bounds.
Would I pick this up at its current $120 NZD price? Personally, no. But I have zero doubt this will strike a major chord with the fandoms it serves. For the rest, it may be best to pick it up when it’s on sale.
Released: June 2025
Rating: G
Platform reviewed: Xbox Series X|S
Genre: Racing
Developer: Codemasters
Publisher: EA Games