F1 Manager 2024 Review – We Are The Champions

As a seasoned Formula One enthusiast with years of experience under my belt, I was eagerly anticipating the release of F1 Manager 2024. Having managed teams in previous versions, I was excited to see how Codemasters would build upon the foundation they had laid and offer new experiences for fans like me.

In the second round of qualifiers for the 2024 Formula One season in Frontier Developments’ new management game, the air is thick with anticipation. With a strong team name like Acheron Racing and a generous $50 million starting budget, courtesy of Meteor Materials, we were off to a great start. Our roster included top drivers such as Hamilton and Verstappen, an elite staff, impressive vehicles, and decent facilities. Meteor aimed for a sensational debut and a swift climb to the pinnacle of racing – and we were confident we could make it happen.

As a gamer, I’ve been facing some challenges lately with my racing team. The relationship between the drivers and their engineers wasn’t working out – I had to make some changes. With Hamilton, I tried something new, but eventually went for a different strategy with Verstappen, focusing more on his racing instincts. Let me tell you, they weren’t exactly pleased with the conditions we were providing, which in turn affected their morale. Immediate action was needed, so we started working on producing new components right away. However, I wasn’t entirely convinced about my design process, and upgrading our facilities from our Suspension Simulator and CFD Simulator to the Team Hub and Weather Centre seemed like a daunting task.

The standout innovation, named “Create A Team,” reflects the challenges and ups-and-downs of joining a league of ten teams as an eleventh team. Regardless if you’re adjusting car settings or keeping tabs on your drivers, this feature puts you right in the thick of the action.

Developing a car comes with a hefty price tag, often reaching into the tens of millions for just a few enhanced facilities. Fortunately, we secured a sponsor who wasn’t overly concerned about our past results. However, potential funding from Engagement and Race Day was significant and couldn’t be overlooked. Having additional sponsors was beneficial, but their influence on driver morale and technological acceptance was something to consider. And let’s not forget about organizing various engagement activities – sponsor events, factory tours, and the like. These were essential, but the choice of which ones to prioritize could impact driver mentality, pit crew exhaustion, staff evaluation, and more.

After making it past the initial Practice sessions and Qualifiers, I found myself eagerly anticipating the start of the season’s first race. Though each driver appeared relatively assured, in retrospect, I should have stayed involved instead of delegating all responsibilities to my team. We ultimately secured sixth and eighth places – hitting our designated Race Targets for a nice financial boost.

I was disappointed to find out from our tech chief that neither of our cars failed to meet the performance expectations during the race. We aimed for a top-five finish, but unfortunately, we didn’t make it. Analyzing the race statistics suggested that we should have opted for a two-stop strategy. My confidence wasn’t high either – it was a real shame. Back to the workshop we go, using replacement parts to enhance our DRS effectiveness while we wait for facility upgrades. Perhaps we could investigate Red Bull’s approach to medium-speed racing and apply it to our own strategy.

In the game F1 Manager 2024, you’ll need to consider various challenging situations, given that managing a Formula One team is no walk in the park. The newest addition, “Create A Team,” mimics the struggles of entering the league as an eleventh team and striving for success amidst the existing ten teams. You’ll be adjusting car performance and keeping close tabs on your drivers.

The PS5 user interface may seem overwhelming with all the information it provides, but thankfully, navigating through it remains smooth and effortless.

As a gamer, I can tell you that starting a new career in this racing game is far from boring. From the get-go, you’re given plenty of choices to make your experience unique. You could go for a team with a modest budget and old-school tech like Phoenix, and work on improving their facilities to bring them back to their former glory. Or, you could take the risk and join a flashy team like Flamepoint, known for their cutting-edge cars and top-tier staff, but with crumbling facilities and limited funds. Each decision adds an exciting layer of challenge and opportunity to your journey in this game.

To achieve peak performance in Formula One racing, it’s essential to meticulously check the health of your aerodynamic vehicle components, maintain your facilities for regular upkeep, and foster a positive work environment among your team members and drivers. While running simulations for practice sessions is an option, actively participating in qualifiers can provide valuable insights. By observing each driver’s lap times, monitoring fuel levels, temperatures, and tire wear, you can assess their adaptation to the track and gauge their contentment with the car setup. If necessary, identify areas for improvement and collaborate with your team to optimize performance.

As someone who has been closely following Formula One racing for decades, I can’t stress enough how significantly the weather plays a role in the outcome of a race. It’s not just about the drivers’ skills and team strategies; it’s also about adapting to the ever-changing conditions.

Despite offering an abundance of details, navigating the user interface on PS5 remains smooth and uncomplicated. While it might require some initial adjustment and could benefit from fewer tabs, moving between sections and exploring various pieces of information is generally hassle-free.

“The Contracts mechanism in this system can be confusing, particularly when counter offers fail to materialize, and it’s important to note that exchanging powertrain components may result in penalties on a grid.”

Changing between drivers during a race and adjusting the speed with fast-forward and pause functions took some getting used to. However, with practice, it became seamless. Similarly, transitioning among various camera angles provides a fluid viewing experience – from following the race on a track map to being up close in the cockpit.

As a long-time racing game enthusiast, I must admit that the latter game truly showcases the presentation with an impressive attention to detail and textures, from the track designs to the lighting effects and car models. It may not reach the level of realism found in F1 24, but it certainly holds its own merit. The character likenesses could have benefited from more refinement, but they effectively convey the essence of the drivers.

Certainly, there are deeper concerns regarding the gameplay experience. At times, the driver’s commentary may not align with what’s happening on the screen, delivering insults toward another driver for an infraction that didn’t occur in the presence of opponents. Affiliate Drivers can feel insignificant, and the Mentality system, while pushing players to prioritize team requirements, could benefit from being less punishing in certain situations.

As a gamer, I find the Contracts system in this game confusing at times, particularly when counter offers don’t come through and grid penalties pop up after changing powertrain parts. It’s strange that these issues have been acknowledged and will be addressed in an upcoming patch, but their presence in the game feels unusual. I can only hope that the developers will also work on improving the crash physics and adding more variety to radio chatter, as these bugs can also be quite frustrating.

Just like its earlier version, the new game, F1 Manager 2024, has potential for greatness with some additional refinements. Nevertheless, it provides an engaging experience that allows you to explore the depths of building and maintaining a successful Formula One team.

For individuals who currently own the previous version, they might ponder if it’s necessary to obtain an entirely new game to satisfy their Formula One management desires. Although some enhancements seem minor, “Create A Team” is still worth investigating, with its flaws outweighed by its appeal. The return of “Race Replay” provides the opportunity to alter past results for selected teams, maintaining enjoyment and providing a refreshing shift in gameplay.

In much the same way as its earlier version, F1 Manager 2024 has room for improvement to reach its full potential. Yet, it provides an engaging experience that allows you to explore the intricacies of managing a Formula One team and keeping it at the forefront. The pressure is palpable with crucial decisions to make and concessions to be made. However, these challenges are balanced out by the unexpected and humorous incidents that arise. Despite the difficulties, I found myself drawn back in, fine-tuning my drivers and team, seeking opportunities for advancement, and ultimately aiming to surpass the competition. Perhaps, we can even try to boost young Max’s confidence a bit more.

This game was reviewed on PlayStation 5.

2024-07-29 15:11

Read More