Early impressions

[Marmite 0]

Cross post from another forum, but thought you might be interested in my thoughts having received the game yesterday (the first bit of this post is referencing a discussion about the lack of female avatars). 

Im playing on the PS4 with the Thrustmaster T300 and pedals. I've also had a CSR Elite before so understand the potential differences between the two set ups (suspect my braking issues mentioned below aren't helped by slightly cheaper pedals). Id consider myself a pretty decent barometer of the difficulty having done quite well in some league racing on the older games that included the dev team at the time (T4rg4 et al). 

Post as follows: 

The avatars are a bit shit really aren't they? Aside from the lack of any female faces, its a limited selection of blokes I have no association with and cant edit at all, yet I'm forced to pick one. Silly really but obviously not the end of the world. 

 

Anyway, I think this might be quite good.

 

I started with some time trial around Silverstone in different cars. Nice to see that you can change car and track from the garage menu itself (rather than having to quit out and start again). Was also impressed with the leaderboard functionality - everything updates dynamically, so every time you set a faster lap it picks the ghost of the next driver ahead of you in the online leaderboard to race against. Each time it does this it gives an on-screen update of your position in the rankings and alerts you of the ability to download the set up of the driver that's directly above you. I thought that was a nice touch. 

 

Turned all assists off and tried out the Manor first of all. Best way to describe the handling is F1 2011 on steroids. You could get the back end out in that game and catch some nice slides. There are even more spectacular moments in 2016, with the added challenge of really having to watch the torque through the gears - the wheels love spinning up and its so easy to lose it coming out of a corner too hot. Lots of short shifting when accelerating out of long corners e.g. the final one at Melbourne.

 

Braking is also a regular challenge with no assistance - there seems to be a really fine balance between locking up and coasting for too long. Plenty of trail braking required here it seems.

 

I messed around with some other cars and could really feel the difference in the Merc. It turned it to the corners with so much more precision and obviously wasn't quite as tail happy as the Manor (although the underlying handling model still came through in force). 

 

On to career mode and I spent a long time faffing here. I didn't actually get time to do a race last night but faffed around in the practice sessions trying to nail the new R&D challenges. The driving line test was fine, but my god the tyre testing was a challenge on legendary difficulty (my usual setting for these games). I went for the Mclaren and found the target time to be extremely ambitious. In the end I restarted on expert difficulty - still felt tricky but not absurd. In the end, the time I set qualifying for Q3 (where its currently saved mid-session) would have been good enough for the tyre test in practice on Legendary. That doesn't take in to account track evolution and faster tyres used in qualifying though, so it definitely feels like a difficulty spike exists for these practice challenges right now. I had a look at some Youtuber videos to see how they were getting on with the career mode and they seemed to be struggling on Legendary difficulty too, to the point where they had chosen top tier cars to seemingly make life easier. Fuck knows what the new Ultimate mode would have you doing! 

 

So yeah, I like the handling, and the new R&D stuff is a great idea and new addition, just maybe a bit demanding right now at the top tier difficulties. The online time trial integration seems well done too. Oh and I didn't feel the need to change the wheel settings one bit. It recognised my wheel and had pre-built settings loaded in already, which seem absolutely fine for once. 

 

On the flip side, I don't think it looks amazing - its fine, but nothing mind blowing and I've noticed some tearing and frame rate drops. And its also another F1 game. I played 2010, '11 and '12 to death and have a funny feeling I might burn out on this one quite quickly, especially without a large and active online community here (wheel issues screwing many with Fanatecs). 

[FRACTURED 30]

JupiterJoe said:

I have just read that the Beta testers, in their wisdom, asked the Devs to tone down the 'slipstream effect'.  Perhaps they should have toned it down for players but not for the AI.  Maybe the AI are programmed to stay in the slipstream, but now, thanks to the Beta testers, they sit there waiting for a slipstream that never comes.  Hence the 'bailing out' of passes we're seeing.

Why the animosity toward the Beta guys? 

Regardless of anything Beta testers suggested, commented on, tested - at the end of the day beta testers aren't coding the game. The OP Slipstream thread had about 15 people say they thought it was OP due to passing much faster cars in Manors and McLaren's, or being passed from behind by AI in the perceived slower cars. (without many stating what difficulty they were at...).
If codies took that information and changed Slipstream effect, all that shows is that they are listening to us this time around. Could be they went too far the other way and another adjustment is needed. So freaking what. At least they are listening and implementing the things we are asking for (in some cases, where feasible...something something lobby browser xbox).

I'm sure it would be much easier for them to just release the game as they see it and screw the consumer. Would you prefer that?

[DarkMarkXD 13]

Swift747 said:

I just got 12th in a manor at Russia.. 

Ultimate is crap. 

Do you record your gameplay for people to view? I'd be very interested in looking at your driving to give me tips on how to better attack corners etc plus it may help developers to see how the AI could be improved I guess.

[ImDyingYouIdiot 0]

JupiterJoe said:

Swift747 said:

JupiterJoe said:

Swift747 said:

I just got 12th in a manor at Russia.. 

Ultimate is crap. 

Have you got the Patch?  Do the AI still fail to complete passes when they are already alongside?

Yes to both. 

They pull out of overtakes at every damn corner :(

I have just read that the Beta testers, in their wisdom, asked the Devs to tone down the 'slipstream effect'.  Perhaps they should have toned it down for players but not for the AI.  Maybe the AI are programmed to stay in the slipstream, but now, thanks to the Beta testers, they sit there waiting for a slipstream that never comes.  Hence the 'bailing out' of passes we're seeing.

1. Yes, we did. Because the slipstream is OP. It has been since F1 2015. And I'm been complaining about it since then.
2. Who says Codemasters did tone the effect down? You know, they quite possibly could ignore us on this. As far as I'm aware, they want to have a strong slipstream effect, so overtaking is easier. At least that's what I've heard coming from them.
3. No Man's Sky is awful. Has nothing to do with this discussion, but I felt like mentioning it.

[Joethe155 8]

Is it possible to change helmets once you've started your career? I can't find it if so.

[Zviko 26]

Joethe155 said:

Is it possible to change helmets once you've started your career? I can't find it if so.

And what I wanna know is if you still get career boost when you restart career? Can someone who didnt start it yet and doesnt care about the boost check this for us?

[mfluder 0]

If they improve the AI commiting to overtakes I hope the do it on all difficulties. Or at least from expert upwards as I'm normally between expert and legend depending on the track. I just want to have an enjoyable race against the AI.

[Swift747 26]

DarkMarkXD said:

Swift747 said:

I just got 12th in a manor at Russia.. 

Ultimate is crap. 

Do you record your gameplay for people to view? I'd be very interested in looking at your driving to give me tips on how to better attack corners etc plus it may help developers to see how the AI could be improved I guess.

I've been streaming it. I'll stream again later @Swift747

[seve15 0]

Zviko said:

Joethe155 said:

Is it possible to change helmets once you've started your career? I can't find it if so.

And what I wanna know is if you still get career boost when you restart career? Can someone who didnt start it yet and doesnt care about the boost check this for us?

Career boost is always on if you've activated the code, tried it yesterday.

[Zviko 26]

seve15 said:

Zviko said:

Joethe155 said:

Is it possible to change helmets once you've started your career? I can't find it if so.

And what I wanna know is if you still get career boost when you restart career? Can someone who didnt start it yet and doesnt care about the boost check this for us?

Career boost is always on if you've activated the code, tried it yesterday.

I guess i wont activate it than. If that is even possible with digital preorder..

[vvvili 0]

seve15 said:

Zviko said:

Joethe155 said:

Is it possible to change helmets once you've started your career? I can't find it if so.

And what I wanna know is if you still get career boost when you restart career? Can someone who didnt start it yet and doesnt care about the boost check this for us?

Career boost is always on if you've activated the code, tried it yesterday.

WHAT?! @jennyannem, @Lozzy, is there any way to remove this?  It takes all the realism away from Career mode if you can upgrade your car way faster than the AI.. 

At the same time I almost want to congratulate you. It's some sort of accomplishment to have people not wanting to use a PRE-ORDER BONUS. 

[Swift747 26]

vvvili said:

seve15 said:

Zviko said:

Joethe155 said:

Is it possible to change helmets once you've started your career? I can't find it if so.

And what I wanna know is if you still get career boost when you restart career? Can someone who didnt start it yet and doesnt care about the boost check this for us?

Career boost is always on if you've activated the code, tried it yesterday.

WHAT?! @jennyannem, @Lozzy, is there any way to remove this?  It takes all the realism away from Career mode if you can upgrade your car way faster than the AI.. 

At the same time I almost want to congratulate you. It's some sort of accomplishment to have people not wanting to use a PRE-ORDER BONUS. 

The boost is like 12 points per session, hardly much tbh..

[vvvili 0]

Swift747 said:

vvvili said:

seve15 said:

Zviko said:

Joethe155 said:

Is it possible to change helmets once you've started your career? I can't find it if so.

And what I wanna know is if you still get career boost when you restart career? Can someone who didnt start it yet and doesnt care about the boost check this for us?

Career boost is always on if you've activated the code, tried it yesterday.

WHAT?! @jennyannem, @Lozzy, is there any way to remove this?  It takes all the realism away from Career mode if you can upgrade your car way faster than the AI.. 

At the same time I almost want to congratulate you. It's some sort of accomplishment to have people not wanting to use a PRE-ORDER BONUS. 

The boost is like 12 points per session, hardly much tbh..

It is quite much in a longer period in my opinion...  

[Swift747 26]

vvvili said:

Swift747 said:

vvvili said:

seve15 said:

Zviko said:

Joethe155 said:

Is it possible to change helmets once you've started your career? I can't find it if so.

And what I wanna know is if you still get career boost when you restart career? Can someone who didnt start it yet and doesnt care about the boost check this for us?

Career boost is always on if you've activated the code, tried it yesterday.

WHAT?! @jennyannem, @Lozzy, is there any way to remove this?  It takes all the realism away from Career mode if you can upgrade your car way faster than the AI.. 

At the same time I almost want to congratulate you. It's some sort of accomplishment to have people not wanting to use a PRE-ORDER BONUS. 

The boost is like 12 points per session, hardly much tbh..

It is quite much in a longer period in my opinion...  

Custom helmets are crap so you're not missing much 

[TheCroc84 124]

Be around an extra 300 points per season.  I just wish they had an on/off switch for it.  But oh well it is what it is.  Crazy how a pre order "bonus" is so reviled. 

[JupiterJoe 0]

FRACTURED said:

JupiterJoe said:

I have just read that the Beta testers, in their wisdom, asked the Devs to tone down the 'slipstream effect'.  Perhaps they should have toned it down for players but not for the AI.  Maybe the AI are programmed to stay in the slipstream, but now, thanks to the Beta testers, they sit there waiting for a slipstream that never comes.  Hence the 'bailing out' of passes we're seeing.

"or being passed from behind by AI"

That is precisely what we need more of, because as it is there are an awful lot of trains going 'round the track. 

I have no animosity towards the Beta testers or the Devs.  I just worded my post that way so it would get some attention, preferably from a Dev.  My hope is that we can find a solution to the AI bailing out of passing manoeuvres - possibly the game's biggest flaw.  I was merely suggesting that the removal/toning down of the slipstream effect may have something to do with it.   Hopefully it's a moot point and the Devs are already at work on a solution for a forthcoming patch.

[Swift747 26]

TheCroc84 said:

Be around an extra 300 points per season.  I just wish they had an on/off switch for it.  But oh well it is what it is.  Crazy how a pre order "bonus" is so reviled. 

You could just not spend it.. 

Im using it, but I'm in a manor so I kind of need everything I can get lol 

[JBRacer77 0]

Basically had the same experience as you @Swift747. On Legend in Bahrain in a Manor I got 7th..... then changed to ultimate and still managed 15th, ahead of cars that are faster. Really don't know what's going on, I am definitely not as fast as many guys on here. It seems the AI speed vary greatly at each circuit in terms of speed. 
Also, even on ultimate the AI just follow behind each other in a train and rarely attempt to overtake, in the process slowing them significantly. They have the same problems as in 2015 when they get scared and back out when along side you.
Although I'm very much still enjoying the game, it disappoints me that the AI are virtually the same every year...

[thombrouwer90 15]

JBRacer77 said:

Basically had the same experience as you @Swift747. On Legend in Bahrain in a Manor I got 7th..... then changed to ultimate and still managed 15th, ahead of cars that are faster. Really don't know what's going on, I am definitely not as fast as many guys on here. It seems the AI speed vary greatly at each circuit in terms of speed. 
Also, even on ultimate the AI just follow behind each other in a train and rarely attempt to overtake, in the process slowing them significantly. They have the same problems as in 2015 when they get scared and back out when along side you.
Although I'm very much still enjoying the game, it disappoints me that the AI are virtually the same every year...

Maybe it's still glitched. (Hoping for it to be so)

[Liverpoolrule19 0]

thombrouwer90 said:

JBRacer77 said:

Basically had the same experience as you @Swift747. On Legend in Bahrain in a Manor I got 7th..... then changed to ultimate and still managed 15th, ahead of cars that are faster. Really don't know what's going on, I am definitely not as fast as many guys on here. It seems the AI speed vary greatly at each circuit in terms of speed. 
Also, even on ultimate the AI just follow behind each other in a train and rarely attempt to overtake, in the process slowing them significantly. They have the same problems as in 2015 when they get scared and back out when along side you.
Although I'm very much still enjoying the game, it disappoints me that the AI are virtually the same every year...

Maybe it's still glitched. (Hoping for it to be so)

I believe from what I have played and seen that it is a glitch

[JBRacer77 0]

Liverpoolrule19 said:

thombrouwer90 said:

JBRacer77 said:

Basically had the same experience as you @Swift747. On Legend in Bahrain in a Manor I got 7th..... then changed to ultimate and still managed 15th, ahead of cars that are faster. Really don't know what's going on, I am definitely not as fast as many guys on here. It seems the AI speed vary greatly at each circuit in terms of speed. 
Also, even on ultimate the AI just follow behind each other in a train and rarely attempt to overtake, in the process slowing them significantly. They have the same problems as in 2015 when they get scared and back out when along side you.
Although I'm very much still enjoying the game, it disappoints me that the AI are virtually the same every year...

Maybe it's still glitched. (Hoping for it to be so)

I believe from what I have played and seen that it is a glitch

Let's hope so, although I thought the day one patch was supposed to fix it...

[Swift747 26]

JBRacer77 said:

Basically had the same experience as you @Swift747. On Legend in Bahrain in a Manor I got 7th..... then changed to ultimate and still managed 15th, ahead of cars that are faster. Really don't know what's going on, I am definitely not as fast as many guys on here. It seems the AI speed vary greatly at each circuit in terms of speed. 
Also, even on ultimate the AI just follow behind each other in a train and rarely attempt to overtake, in the process slowing them significantly. They have the same problems as in 2015 when they get scared and back out when along side you.
Although I'm very much still enjoying the game, it disappoints me that the AI are virtually the same every year...

Glad I'm not the only one. 

Its really disheartening isn't it? Unless it's fixed soon, I can see career getting boring. I'm in a manor, I want to finish no higher than 15th really, so I don't know what todo! 

I will admit I was holding up everyone but I was able to defend for 20 laps cos the AI are too scared to overtake! 

And in Bahrain I battled with Rosberg, in a manor! What's that all about?

[Liverpoolrule19 0]

JBRacer77 said:

Liverpoolrule19 said:

thombrouwer90 said:

JBRacer77 said:

Basically had the same experience as you @Swift747. On Legend in Bahrain in a Manor I got 7th..... then changed to ultimate and still managed 15th, ahead of cars that are faster. Really don't know what's going on, I am definitely not as fast as many guys on here. It seems the AI speed vary greatly at each circuit in terms of speed. 
Also, even on ultimate the AI just follow behind each other in a train and rarely attempt to overtake, in the process slowing them significantly. They have the same problems as in 2015 when they get scared and back out when along side you.
Although I'm very much still enjoying the game, it disappoints me that the AI are virtually the same every year...

Maybe it's still glitched. (Hoping for it to be so)

I believe from what I have played and seen that it is a glitch

Let's hope so, although I thought the day one patch was supposed to fix it...

I think it is a problem just on a specific consoles

[Rindt70 3]

Swift747 said:

I just got 12th in a manor at Russia.. 

Ultimate is crap. 

12th in a Manor on ultimate??
Damn, that's not what I wanted to hear.  my copy is due to arrive tomorrow but if the AI are p*****s at overtakes and ultimate is that easy, I may just return it.

[JBRacer77 0]

Possibly it is still glitched from the preview build where it had the same issue? If so then it could easily be patched..... fingers crossed!!