Codemasters’ series of F1 games has a pretty loyal fan base. It’s the type of game that you’re only going to buy if you’re a certain type of gamer, due to its sim-like nature and the hardcore level of commitment needed to complete a season. F1 needn’t be so straight-laced, though; as Codies’ new game duly proves…
F1 Race Stars brings the world of Formula 1 kicking and screeching into the more accessible and madcap world of the Mario Kart-style family fun racer. By way of overgrown heads.
Those heads belong to the likes of Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton, who’s likenesses have been officially balloonified thanks to Codemasters’ ties to Formula One Management Limited. It’s a look that – weirdly – works, and you have to wonder why it’s not been done before.
Mario Kart steering wheel: Time to start winning
“We’re really excited to bring the whole cast of Formula One into a fun new world of racing,” said Chris Gray, the game’s senior producer, adding: “We’ve really let our Art and Design teams off the leash to bring F1 stars’ personalities alive in a new way and create a game where racing fans of all ages can jump into all-action solo, split-screen and online multiplayer races.”
All the tracks in F1 Race Stars are modeled on real life circuits, only there’s a twist: among the various power-ups and speed pads, certain sections of the track have been lifted into the sky, forming vertical walls, loop-the-loops, jumps and corkscrews.
The game’s landing in November, which means you’ve got plenty of time to start memorising the tracks before you delve into some split-screen multiplayer. Right; we’re off to sit in the bath tub and lean into imaginary turns, Cool Runnings-style.
