It’s the first joint effort since the iconic Codemasters were purchased by the mighty EA, but very soon F1 2021 will release on Xbox one, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, PS5 and PC. Right now full details concerning the all-important release date have been confirmed, alongside those of pre-order bonuses and content.
F1 2021 will be the first time EA and Codemasters get to drop a Formula One experience to the masses, and after a launch of F1 2020 which was pretty damn great, hype is real for this one. F1 2021 will launch on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, PS5 and PC through Steam come July 16th 2021, bringing with it a next-gen experience that will feature all of the teams, the drivers, and the circuits from the 2021 FIA Formula One World Championship.
It will include a brand new story mode, an expanded Career option with opportunities for two players to race side-by-side, and three new circuits of Portimão, Imola, and Jeddah, which will arrive as post-launch content for free to all. If you’re looking to take in all the glitz and glamour of F1, and are capable of handling the emotion found with competing at the highest level of motorsport, F1 2021 is going to be for you.
The new story mode will be called Braking Point, taking players on an epic journey from the F2 scene up into the world of Formula One. You’ll get to discover exactly how the other half live too, with a taste of the lifestyle found both on and off the track, building rivalries, and understanding the dedication and commitment required to be the next Lewis Hamilton. It’s this story which will also see the return of Devon Butler who first appeared in F1 2019.
Whilst narrative and setup is all great, for many it’ll be the Career which is most interesting; particularly as F1 2021 will allow friends to race together – either cooperatively or in different teams – as they create rivalries online. The Career will also play host to Real-Season Start which will let you join the action at any point in the season, with real-time driver and constructor standings in place.
Further, returning features of previous F1 games will be present in F1 2021 too. My Team, two-player split-screen, shorter season options in both F1 and F2, esports integration and accessible menus and handling are all promised. With F1 2021 being on Xbox Series X|S and PS5 too, expect to see a visual boost and faster loading times too. Oh, and F1 2021 supports Xbox Smart Delivery and PlayStation’s free upgrade should you wish to switch to Series X|S or PS5 during your experience.
“Braking Point is an exciting innovation that has been years in the making. We are proud to expand the game experience and allow players to live the highs and lows of life in Formula 1® both on and off the track,” said Lee Mather, Franchise Game Director at Codemasters. “Braking Point transforms the game and puts players centre stage in the greatest racing spectacle on the planet.”
“We are creating more choice and new ways to play. Real-Season Start allows players to align their career to the F1® season,” said Paul Jeal, F1® Senior Franchise Director at Codemasters. “The addition of two-player Career brings new challenges to the iconic game mode. Players can now choose to play co-operatively and share in the success or compete and strive for personal glory.”
F1 2021 will launch on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, PS5 and PC come July 16th, but should you go about pre-ordering the game you’ll find some bonuses sent your way. The Braking Point Content Pack will be yours for getting your cash in early and this delivers a set of exclusive in-game items inspired by the fictional stars of the new story experience, and 5,000 PitCoins. There will be further benefits for the digital Deluxe edition too, including seven soon-to-be-unveiled iconic F1 drivers for use in My Team, complete with customisation content, 18,000 PitCoins, the Braking Point Content Pack, and three days early access. Yep, three days early access, letting you get a headstart on your competitors.
It’ll be super interesting to see how F1 2021 is handled now that Codemasters are under the EA wing. With EA proving that they know a thing or two about selling a sports game – FIFA, Madden, PGA Tour etc.. – and Codies on a bit of a F1 run in recent years, there are high hopes that this could well be the best Formula One experience yet.
As always, let us know what you think. The comments are below the trailer.
