F1-24 VR Review: Minor Upgrade Package

Read on for our full review. Read on for our full review.

Codemasters’ latest effort brings Formula 1 back to Steam, marking the third entry with optional PC VR support after

and F1 22. F1 24 is lighter than previous entries, but it still has some positive features. The new career mode, revised circuits, and new ‘Dynamic Handling’ system offer welcome evolutionary improvements, though F1 24 won’t change your mind if earlier entries didn’t sway you.F1 23F1 24 – The Facts

What is it?

: The latest annual entry in EA’s Formula 1 racing series.Platforms
: (played via Quest 3 with Virtual Desktop)PC VRRelease Date
: Out nowDeveloper
: CodemastersPrice:
$70Let’s begin with why you’re reading this review: F1 24’s PC VR support. The game supports VR for every race, with 360-degree vision. 2D menus look like theatre modes, while the controllers are either standard steering wheel or gaming pads. To improve immersion, race position, speed and other stats can be displayed on your steering wheel. Some HUD elements can be individually tweaked to suit your preferences.

F1 24 – Screenshot using ‘VR Ultra’ settings

F1 24 screenshot - Lando Norris approaching first corner at Baku street circuit — Frankly, VR support doesn’t meaningfully differ from F1 23, but that isn’t a bad thing. VR offers a greater sense of immersion, which makes the game more exciting. It also allows you to make high-risk moves against Max Verstappen. In F1 24 I played mostly using a virtual desktop

, switching between my Xbox Series Gamepad and Thrustmaster steering wheel. Quest 3Unfortunately, playing in VR comes with several compromises. My PC is a month old with an RTX 4700 Ti Super, Intel i9-12900 and can run ‘VR Ultra settings’ with little performance loss. The visuals are still inferior to flatscreen cockpit views, even on a high-end PC. This is not always apparent in screenshots. When stationary, a slight camera shake also appeared. Your mileage will vary due to the wide range of PC game setups.

Frustratingly, it took me a while to get F1 24 running well in VR mode. The Steam Link App for Quest 3 or

was not compatible with this game. The loading of the game was fine. However, F1 24 would crash on occasion when the race ended, freezing my VR headset but still playable from the desktop. EA Sports WRCF1 24 – Flatscreen mode on Ultra settingsQuest 2Using Virtual Desktop and choosing ‘VDXR’ on the ‘OpenXR Runtime’ settings fixed this. The Rift S worked fine as well. F1 24 would not recognize either my steering wheel or gamepad if SteamVR was not loaded first on Virtual Desktop. Although it’s not impossible to play, two SteamVR

F1 24 - Flatscreen mode on Ultra settings — games require you to jump through hoops. That’s not ideal. It’s fun to play in VR when it works. As you make your way through Monaco’s tight corners, with little space to overtake other cars, the same pressure is felt as in Monza or Silverstone. The AI was not always willing to make obvious overtakes, or put up strong defenses. The AI has improved significantly since the update. The handling of these powerful cars is improved, and this becomes more apparent during races in wet conditions. The 70/100 level is a good challenge for all racers. With the many assist options, such as automatic gearboxes, pit lane releases, etc., it’s a game that anyone can enjoy. Updates between Silverstone and the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps designs better reflect real-life changes, ensuring these iconic circuits remain entertaining.

F1 24 – Screenshot using ‘VR Ultra’ settingsmost popular headsetsCareer Mode is easily F1 24’s most significant upgrade. Start in F2 to give upcoming talents like Theo Pourchaire or Oliver Bearman a chance to shine. Legacy stars such as Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna are also a great alternative. You can also jump into F1 and use the twenty existing drivers. The addition of pleasing changes, such as secret meetings to discuss possible moves next year, meeting management expectations and achieving on-track goals, adds depth. The Racing Bulls was my choice for Yuki Tsunoda in the first campaign, before team performance rankings were changed. It feels good to have won those races. It’s a good thing that the improved rivalry system makes you want to beat your teammate every weekend. There are no motion controls, driving vignettes are not supported, and VR is restricted to the 360degree view in the cockpit. In VR you cannot use third-person camera, but can view backwards during the race. F1 24 also includes accessibility features like a Tinnitus Relief Filter and Colorblind support.

‘Challenge Careers’ is another fun option that provides a career campaign in smaller chunks while competing with other drivers through online leaderboards. It’s also a nice option to create player-owned Leagues within ‘League Racing.’ This year’s F1 23 feels very similar to this entry, which is not surprising but also not particularly exciting. You can jump into multiplayer after completing some races. There are also time trials and solo challenges. The game uses its own progression system to unlock better team components that can be applied in the career mode. The only change is the new FanZone, where you can choose your favourite driver or constructor. This didn’t appeal to me, even though I’m a huge F1 fan. F1 24: Final Verdictfirst post-launch patchF1 24 offers another annual update for Codemasters racing series, but it is hard to recommend for PC VR users who already own F1 23. The thrill of going toe-to -toe with some of the best drivers on the planet in VR is still there, especially when you make those crucial overtakes. And the feeling of immersion makes it even more thrilling. F1 24 is a great racer, but the VR graphics and other technical problems are disappointing, even with a powerful PC. The new handling and mechanics make the career mode more fun, but other significant changes are minor. Existing Formula 1 fans will likely have plenty of fun, and I still had a great time hitting the tracks; just don’t expect a major upgrade.

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