Fortunately, there’s more to come, with Microsoft announcing three more titles coming to Game Pass this week. On February 20th, Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, and EA Play subscribers can engage with F1 24, Codemasters’ latest entry in the series.

Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader will also be available for cloud, PC, and Xbox Series X/S via Game Pass Standard/Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Finally, Watch Dogs: Legion will become available in all three subscription tiers on February 25th. It’s not the most extensive list of offerings, but considering the shorter month, it makes sense.

Of course, several titles will also exit the service on February 28th. Subscribers can finish them now or purchase at a 20 percent discount. The list includes:

• F1 22 (Console and PC) EA Play
• Gris (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Maneater (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• PAW Patrol World (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Space Engineers (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Wo Long Fallen Dynasty (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Yakuza 3 Remastered (Cloud, Console, and PC)
• Yakuza 4 Remastered (Cloud, Console, and PC)

Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown

Developer KT Racing’s most ambitious title to date has landed Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown a place on this rundown despite an onslaught of issues resulting predominantly from it’s always-online requirement. First, the good: Solar Crown’s Hong Kong open world is consistently complex and interesting, and the car feel – whilst not perfect – is a step up from Test Drive Unlimited 2. The bad however outweighs the good: time wasting bugs, server issues even when racing solely against AI, and inconsistent, non-adjustable difficulty settings makes Solar Crown a racer steeped in promise but with much to fix.

#20. F1 24

We tend to include the F1 games in our annual lists of games with the best visuals pretty regularly, but that’s because the series has this department on lock. Like its predecessors, F1 24 is a beautiful game, touting stellar vehicle models with an impressive level of attention to detail, authentic lighting and weather effects lending new life to the courses, and more. Year after year, this series successfully delivers a realistic and comprehensive recreation of the real sport, and the presentation and visual fidelity play an important role in that.

#19. BODYCAM

Bodycam has a number of shortcomings in its current state that we’re hoping it will address over the course of its ongoing early access period, but one area where the game deserves all the props in the world is the way it looks. As its name suggests, its played from the first-person perspective of a bodycam on your character, and combines that with a hyper-realistic aesthetic that achieves quite a striking result. The game looks startlingly good at times, and we’re curious to see how it will continue to improve on the road to its full release.

#18. EMPIRE OF THE ANTS

Here’s another game coming from a small time that ended up surprising a great many people with its graphics. Empire of the Ants is a decidedly small-budget game, but you wouldn’t be able to tell from just looking at it. Sporting an impressive photorealistic style, the game transports players to a lush jungle where every single blade of grass, every leaf on the ground, every rock jutting out of the ground, and every single insect and critter that you lay your eyes on looks shockingly lifelike. Obviously, there are some rough edges here and there, but the overall result is nothing short of splendid.

#17. GRAY ZONE WARFARE

Indie studio Madfinger Games launched its multiplayer open world FPS Gray Zone Warfare in early access this year, and though there’s plenty of work for the developer to do to address feedback from the community, the game’s visuals are pretty much unanimously liked. There’s a good amount of rough edges that need sanding out, which is to be expected from a game of this size coming from a smaller team and still being in early access, but its open world map is also full of beautiful sights to see.

#16. DRAGON BALL: SPARKING! ZERO

Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO brought the Budokai Tenkaichi series back with a bang this year, and though the list of things in the game worthy of praise is a long one, its graphics are high on it. As you’d expect from a Dragon Ball game, Sparking! ZERO relies more on its stylized art style than on pure visual fidelity, but one way or another, the effect it achieves instantly catches the eye. In motion, the game looks particularly amazing, and watching explosive, map-destroying fights between colossally powerful characters attacking each other with everything they’ve got never loses its charm.

#15. LIKE A DRAGON: INFINITE WEALTH

The Like a Dragon series has always straddled the line between high budget photorealism and mid budget stylization perfectly, and Infinite Wealth does the same, producing yet another Dragon Engine game that you can’t quite tear your eyes away from. Given the scope of the game, it’s not surprising that not everything looks spectacular- but a lot of things to do, and everything else looks at least a minimum level of good. Overall, Infinite Wealth brings its vibrant Hawaii setting to the screen spectacularly, and easily ranks as one of the year’s better-looking games.

#14. STELLAR BLADE

Stellar Blade took many by surprise for multiple reasons, but all of it could be boiled down to it coming from a relatively unknown studio with little to no AAA console experience. For it to turn out as well as it did was a pleasant surprise, then, as was the fact that it also ended up looking as gorgeous as it did. Stellar Blade touts some of the most impressive visuals we’ve seen in a PS5 exclusive game so far (especially if you play it on a PS5 Pro), with everything from the dilapidated post-apocalyptic environments and the excellently designed monsters you fight to the Eve’s slick combat animations looking pristine.

#13. DRAGON AGE: THE VEILGUARD

Like pretty much everything else about the game, Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s graphics divided opinion, with many expressing their dislike of the new, more stylized art style. And though it is clearly a break from the more grimdark style past games used, we fall in the group that ultimately really likes what the game looks like. The Veilguard is a visual stunner in more ways than one, with a bevy of environments that are brimming with vistas that will take your breath away, not to mention some of the most impressive lighting we’ve seen in a game this year.

#12. STAR WARS OUTLAWS

Calling Star Wars Outlaws an uneven experience would be a huge understatement, but when the game is at its best, it’s really, really good- and in the graphics department, it’s definitely at its best. Yes, the game has its fair share of visual glitches and technical hiccups, but little of it detracts from just how stunning it looks more often than not. No matter where you find yourself in its open world multiplanetary setting, Outlaws finds ways to take your breath away with its sights and sounds. Coming from the studio behind The Division, that doesn’t come as a huge surprise.

#11. DRAGON’S DOGMA 2

Capcom has an admirable habit of cranking out a steady stream of AAA megatons that somehow all look spectacular. Dragon’s Dogma 2 was the company’s big centerpiece in 2024, and though it doesn’t look as good as, say, the best-looking Resident Evil games out there, it does look really, really good. From the detailed environments of its sprawling open world, to the incredibly lifelike (and vastly varied) roster of monster and creatures that you take on, to, of course, how oppressively impressive the game’s darkness feels, there’s a bevy of things in Dragon’s Dogma 2 that illustrate just how visually impressive it is.

#10. INDIANA JONES AND THE GREAT CIRCLE

It may have been a while since MachineGames’ last major full-fledged AAA release, but as a studio that has always delivered visually impressive games, it did not disappoint with its return to the spotlight in the final days of this year with Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, a game that impresses graphically in more ways than one. It crafts its period setting with great alpomb, lets players explore a vast and varied collection of beautiful and highly detailed locations, and of course, does it all while capturing that classic Indiana Jones aesthetic. It absolutely knocks the ball out of the park in this department.

#9. SUICIDE SQUAD: KILL THE JUSTICE LEAGUE

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League was a disastrous game- there’s just no two ways about it. But even the most disastrous games tend to have at least some redeeming qualities, and so, too, did Suicide Squad. Chief among the few was how good it looked, an area where Rocksteady Studios as a developer has never disappointed in the past. The game obviously has crippling issues that make it an absolute drag to play even at the best of times, but visually, there’s a lot to be impressed with here, especially if it’s the game’s impressive cinematics you’re talking about.

#8. TEKKEN 8

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call Tekken 8 one of the best-looking fighting games ever made. Coming earlier this year as one of the biggest current-gen exclusive Unreal Engine 5 games so far, Bandai Namco’s acclaimed fighter was promising to be absolutely astounding to look at in the lead up to release, and it unquestionably lived up to that promise. From the stages to the character models to the often explosive effects we see on the screen, Tekken 8 has no shortage of tricks up its sleeve to make you stop in your tracks and marvel at its beauty.

#7. WARHAMMER 40,000: SPACE MARINE 2

Space Marine 2 is without a doubt one of the most technically impressive games we’ve played in a long, long time. For starters, it looks excellent, with gorgeously detailed environments, well-crafted character models, and excellent enemy designs. But of course, what’s most impressive about it are the many sequences and moments where you find yourself facing overwhelmingly massive hordes of enemies, when literally hundreds upon hundreds of foes are on-screen together, all barreling in your direction while you stomp around and mow them down. The fact that the game accomplishes all of that without any significant issues with its performance just makes it that much more impressive. It’s truly something of a miracle.

#6. BLACK MYTH: WUKONG

For about four years prior to its launch, every time we saw more of Black Myth: Wukong, one thing that stood out above everything else was just how stunning it looked- something that stood out that much more given the fact that the game was coming from a lesser-known Chinese studio with a nonexistent AAA track record. When it launched in August, Black Myth was thankfully exactly as gorgeous as it was touted to be. Varied environments, spectacularly designed bosses, and some of the most breathtaking vistas we’ve seen in games all year all come together in what’s easily one of the best-looking games of this generation (even if it does have the odd technical rough edge).

#5. FINAL FANTASY 7 REBIRTH

There’s no end to the things about Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth that we can praise endlessly, and its visual splendour is high on that list. Obviously, we can’t ignore the fact that the game does suffer from some graphical inconsistencies, especially when played on Performance Mode. Even at its worst, however, Rebirth has a knack of looking impressive, while at its best, it’s drop-dead gorgeous. Its staggeringly large world is crawling with beautiful sights that are begging to be sought out and taken in, while on a PS5 Pro in particular, it looks absolutely stunning with little to no caveats.

#4. SILENT HILL 2

Silent Hill 2’s remake sparked a good deal of skepticism from many, which, given developer Bloober Team’s spotty track record up to that point, was fair to understand, but the one area where even the game’s biggest skeptics knew it wouldn’t disappoint was its graphics. That’s a department that always shines in Bloober games, and sure enough, Silent Hill 2 is an absolute looker. The decrepit eponymous town and the horrors that it hide are brought to life in spectacular and terrifying fashion, while Silent Hill 2’s familiar cast of characters are given new life by the stellar fidelity that the game now boasts. And yes, the fog looks amazing.

#3. MICROSOFT FLIGHT SIMULATOR 2024

Microsoft Flight Simulator took our collective breath away when it launched in 2020, and still stands as one of the best-looking games around on any platform. Appropriately enough, Microsoft Flight SImulator 2024 turned out to be somehow even more visually impressive. Marginally gains are definitely setting in, which is unavoidable, but at the end of the day, even the most jaded person can’t help but be floored by the stunning level of detail, authenticity, and photorealism with which Flight Sim 2024 brings its grand vision to life.

#2. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: HEART OF CHORNOBYL

Much like its predecessors, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is a little rough around the edges, and with its slate of technical issues and its deliberately punishing nature, it’s definitely not a game for everyone. But boy oh boy is it a visual delight. GSC Game World’s open world shooter is easily among the best-looking games to have been released this generation. It boasts a staggering level of detail and fidelity across a huge world with impressive consistency. The game deserves all the praise in the world for the lengths to which it goes to make its world feel authentic, and to immerse players in its deadly setting.

#1. SENUA’S SAGA: HELLBLADE 2

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 certainly has its critics, and there are many who argue that it doesn’t hold a candle to its predecessor in a lot of ways that really matter. One area where it unquestionably makes huge strides, however, is the graphics department. Ninja Theory as a studio has always prided itself on pushing the envelope with what it does on the technological side of things, and this time, with the financial backing of Microsoft, the developer really went all out. Whether it’s its dark and grimy setting or the incredibly lifelike characters and their facial movements, the stellar lighting and the rich atmosphere it helps create or the spectacular animations that allow even gameplay moments to look like gorgeously handcrafted cinematics- from its first moment to its last, Hellblade 2 remains a visual delight.

After previously confirming the likes of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Alan Wake 2, Horizon Forbidden West, and others with the first batch of games that were confirmed for the PS5 Pro, as part of its recent State of Play presentation, Sony unveiled a second batch of titles. 

Prominently, it includes major upcoming releases in the form of Dragon Age: The Veilguard and Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, while several notable previously released titles are also confirmed, including the PlayStation Studios duo of Stellar Blade and Rise of the Ronin, and third-party titles such as Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, F1 24, Resident Evil 4, and Resident Evil Village.

Check out the trailer below for a glimpse of all of these titles (among others) running on the PS5 Pro.

Sony has also confirmed that the recently announced Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered and Ghost of Yōtei will both also be PS5 Pro Enhanced upon release. 

15. Alan Wake 2: Night Springs

The surreal creepiness and noir horror of Alan Wake 2 left a lasting impression on us when it launched last year. Night Springs doesn’t look to top it so much as offer a Twilight Zone-esque structure with three standalone episodes. Cut through mobsters as Alan Wake’s number one fan, Rose Marigold; venture through Coffee World as Control’s Jesse Fade; or engage in a meta-breaking narrative with Sheriff Breaker, played by Shawn Ashmore of Quantum Break fame. It’s off the cuff, bizarre and Night Springs at its best.

14. F1 24

Codemasters’ latest iteration of the Formula One racing series raised some alarm bells with its handling and physics changes. If you can stomach or tweak them enough to your liking, there’s a lot to like, from the new Driver Career and its secret negotiations and engineer events to the new Challenge Career. F1 World is also weirdly compelling with its loot-focused gameplay, even if it needs some changes, and there’s no denying the presentation. It’s not the best title in the series but it remains enjoyable.

13. WWE 2K24

While WWE 2K23 coasted on featuring WarGames for the first time, WWE 2K24 offers significantly more. There are Ambulance, Casket, Gauntlet, and Special Guest Referee matches, while Backstage Brawl is enhanced with more weapons and interactions. The new Showcase mode, covering 40 years of Wrestlemania, is competent overall, and others like MyGM and MyUniverse have more significant additions. It also doesn’t hurt that the wrestling feels like the best in years, even with its trademark jankiness.

12. Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden

Flying under the radar this year is DON’T NOD’s Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, a tale of Red and Antea. After the latter unexpectedly dies, the former must decide whether to resurrect or allow her to ascend. Of course, as a Banisher, there’s also the task of helping settlers in the late 17th century against evil spirits, seamlessly shifting between both characters to unleash firearms, swords and magic. While several aspects could use improvements, Banishers is still an involving tale of love and loss.

11. Stellar Blade

Three years ago, Shift-Up’s Project Eve attracted its fair share of attention with its sleek visuals, combat and sci-fi aesthetic. It didn’t seem possible it could deliver, but in 2024, Stellar Blade stands out for its fast-paced action, gorgeous presentation and surprisingly extensive scale. The narrative of humanity’s near-extinction is rife with twists and turns, but even if you’re a combat aficionado, Stellar Blade will cater to your tastes and then some.

10. Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2

Even after the acclaim of its predecessor, we honestly didn’t know what to expect with Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2. It’s a first-party console exclusive, yet $49.99, digital-only and takes roughly six hours to complete. While there’s plenty to ponder, one can’t deny that Senua’s latest journey into the darkness, combining mythology with psychosis, is just a spectacle. Very few titles can match its visual fidelity, and even if there are areas it could improve on, Hellblade 2 is an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish.

9. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

While The Rogue still needs time to cook, Sargon and his quest in The Lost Crown is piping hot with its sleek combat and abundant secrets. Some traversal aspects could be fine-tuned, but the sense of exploration and uncovering a whole new section of the map is great.

8. Tekken 8

It’s almost incredible that six years passed between new Tekken titles. Given the various ways Tekken 7 fumbled, Tekken 8 had its task cut out and delivered on nearly every front. The latest story mode is as baffling and bizarre as epic and involving. The Heat system lends to some great new strategies and tense moments, while the new characters – Reina, Azucena and Victor – fit in naturally with the classic cast. You could argue that Arcade Quest is disposable, but in terms of the complete package, Tekken 8 stakes its claim as one of the best fighting games in years.

7. Hades 2

It says something when Hades 2 is already one of the best games of this year despite still being in early access. The sheer scale of the current product, the art style and incredible soundtrack, and the story-telling and characterization, combined with the fluid combat and range of builds courtesy of the Boons, make for a rogue-lite experience that leaves the original behind. We’re keen to see how it evolves further over the coming months, but Hades 2 is still one of this year’s must-play titles.

6. Helldivers 2

Few games with online issues that persist for weeks after launch could inspire such frenzy as Helldivers 2. Very few have bucked the ever-prevalent notion of “live service bad” like Helldivers 2. Almost none inspired as extensive a wave of backlash as the mandatory PSN-linking like Helldivers 2. It’s because, at its core, Helldivers 2 is a great game – an engaging co-op experience, an incredible work of satire. It’s also one of the few live service titles where it feels like the story is evolving, motivated by player efforts, however small.

5. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

When RGG Studio tells you that a new entry in the Like a Dragon series is the longest, you know it’s an experience unlike any other. Whether it’s the ever-enjoyable side stories, the many improvements to combat, the sheer size of Hawaii City, the randomized dungeons or the sheer depth of activities like Dondoko Island and Sujimon, Infinite Wealth has a dizzying amount of content. Of course, it’s backed by a great narrative carried by its incredible cast while serving as an emotional journey for beloved protagonist Kazuma Kiryu.

4. Destiny 2: The Final Shape

The narrative of The Final Shape, the conclusion to the Light and Darkness saga in Destiny, mirroring Bungie’s struggle to deliver on expectations, isn’t lost on fans. Nevertheless, the expansion pulled out all the stops for some of the best story-telling in the series. The gunplay remained as excellent as always, with excellent new weapons, and Prismatic busting the door open on the Guardian power fantasy. Top-to-bottom, from the patrol space and activities to the raid, The Final Shape represents the very best of Destiny 2 while offering some hope for the future.

3. Dragon’s Dogma 2

The emergent gameplay of Dragon’s Dogma 2 isn’t for everyone, but the world design and its emphasis on going out and experiencing it first-hand can get addictive. You never know what lies around each corner, and all those moments – from your Pawn saving you from a fatal fall or the Sphinx’s riddles – make the experience all the more memorable. Combat also leverages those emergent systems while still feeling tight and providing an extensive range of choices. For all its quirks, Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a truly unique action RPG experience.

2. Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

What can be said about Elden Ring’s first (and only) expansion that hasn’t been said already? The overwhelming challenge of the Realm of Shadow and its awe-inspiring bosses? The new weapons and their crazy movesets, or the extensive verticality of the world design and exploration? All the secrets dotting the landscape, from an innocuous manor of madness to a world-ending threat on the peak? Shadow of the Erdtree builds on everything that makes the base game great while upping the intensity and build-crafting variety in what may as well be an entirely new game. It’s mind-boggling, frustrating, strangely beautiful, and we can’t get enough.

1. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth

There is no shortage of massive role-playing games this year and while Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth matches up well, it offers something more. The nostalgia, the feeling of experiencing these previously 32-bit locations and events in gorgeous cutting-edge visuals – it didn’t seem like the developer could once again mimic those feelings that Final Fantasy 7 Remake gave us. Yet, here we are. It’s far superior in terms of side quests and combat, while the sheer scale of the world is breathtaking to behold. The year isn’t over, but as of now, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is as good as it gets.

F1 24 introduces several new modes over last year, doing away with Braking Point in favor of a new Driver Career. Players can progress through the usual Formula 1 career with a custom driver, partaking in secret meetings and building Recognition with their team, or play as a real-life driver like Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, etc.

There’s also Challenge Career, a mini-scenario consisting of specific tracks in a driver’s career with different difficulties and leaderboards. F1 World also returns and features new elements like Fanzone, where players can choose a team and driver to complete tasks, earn points and prove their loyalty.

F1 24 is available for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 and PC. Check out our review for more details.

Codemasters’ F1 24 embodies that, but also captures the main appeal of the sport – the exhilaration and feeling of nearly unstoppable power when things do go in your favor.

While a new title is inevitable at this time of year, the development team’s ability to keep iterating on last year’s formula is always impressive. However, F1 24 significantly changes the driving, from the handling to the aerodynamics and tyre model. They’re easy to embrace on a controller – perhaps somewhat too easy.

"When I first started, F1 24’s handling felt very responsive. Considering my last trip with the series was with F1 22, it was a significant step up. However, with more time, it felt off…"

When I first started, F1 24’s handling felt very responsive. Considering my last trip with the series was with F1 22, it was a significant step up. However, with more time, it felt off – like more of an arcade racer than a sim, especially when hitting curbs or braking before corners and accelerating. After heading into the assists and turning off multiple settings, I tried again and still had that vague arcade-like feeling. This led to a custom setup that reduced the anti-roll bars to as low as possible, increased the front ride height to near maximum and the rear to the minimum and messed with the camber.

The result is something weightier but with far better performance. I struggled in the new Driver Career, hitting 17th place on laps with the default High-Speed setup. Upon switching to this custom tuning, I managed to get sixth place. Sure, I was still behind my teammate and rival George Russell – I’m still ahead in the Driver Ratings, so chew on that, George – but it marked a massive improvement over my previous performance.

With a controller, the default setup isn’t the worst thing in the world and might be appreciated for its responsiveness. Nevertheless, the custom tuning felt weightier and more realistic without taking away that sheer sense of terror and exhilaration described earlier. Regardless, how Codemasters addresses this at launch and after will be interesting.

Another thing to note is the AI. Setting it to 50, still within the Medium range, saw my opposing drivers making little to no mistakes while I was struggling to keep pace in Driver Career. The custom setup improved things, more handily beating the majority and providing more competitive races. However, one issue seemingly kept occurring when receiving the new engineer objectives.

"Of course, there is plenty else to like about the new Driver Career. Instead of a story mode like Braking Point, you can now select a real-life Formula One driver and progress through Career Mode with them."

These objectives range from keeping your fuel consumption below a specified amount when you’re burning through it too fast, reaching the next position if you’re stuck in the current for an extended time, or avoiding damage to the front wing if you already nicked it.

It’s the last one that really grinds my gears – the few times this objective appeared, the AI suddenly shot ahead, almost like they wanted me to damage my front wing now that they were conveniently upfront. Once is a coincidence, twice is a pattern – anything else, and they’re out to get me. Otherwise, I enjoyed the engineer objectives as they spiced up a race in ways that directly correlated to my performance.

Of course, there is plenty else to like about the new Driver Career. Instead of a story mode like Braking Point, you can now select a real-life Formula One driver and progress through Career Mode with them. This refreshes the usual experience of accumulating resources each week, commissioning parts from R&D, hiring Specialists and completing their goals (like taking no damage in a Race Weekend or completing five laps), and so on. Each driver has a unique rating, while their team specializes in different R&D departments from the start.

They also have unique Accolades to work towards that tie into their careers since they can enhance stats, EXP earned, etc. Not that the custom drivers are left out – they can earn Accolades and partake in new secret meetings with other teams. Tension can build if your current team finds out, yet the danger of it all – and the chance for a potentially better offer – is enticing.

Refusing is also viable if you don’t want to risk losing Recognition with your team. Determined by how well you perform, especially compared to your teammate, the latter influences who gets the first pick of secret R&D upgrades (while lowering the chances of upgrades failing). Otherwise, you still have the Practice Sessions to learn the track and gain Development Boosts upon fulfilling specific goals. The option to quickly practice the remaining sessions and unlock these without having to race at the risk of failing the objectives is still as welcome. From there, it’s Qualifying, and off to the Grand Prix, where you battle for supremacy.

"You also unlock Goals, where completing specific long-term objectives provides rewards. There’s also the Fanzone, where you can pledge to a team and a driver alongside other players."

If you seek a different type of campaign, there’s Challenge Career, offering separate episodes of a real-world driver based on their life. These are available on multiple difficulties for a chance at the leaderboards. It’s a quicker take on Driver Career, so while you have more resources for commissioning additional parts at R&D, the reduced length of the career makes those choices all the more vital.

F1 World also returns this year, delivering multiple new series of races, solo events – from Arcade and Time Trial to more demanding challenges – and multiplayer. Think of it as a Car-PG-style mode, where completing races earns cash, Insight and “loot” like improved brakes, wings, etc.

You can then upgrade these to improve performance or scrap them for resources. Various Specialists and sponsors can also be discovered and contracted to provide unique passive effects (like reduced upgrade costs or more money earned from races). However, you can only bring on a limited number. Dismissing a Specialist’s contract also means you lose their benefits for all future events.

You also unlock Goals, where completing specific long-term objectives provides rewards. There’s also the Fanzone, where you can pledge to a team and a driver alongside other players. All your activities in F1 World go towards completing its objectives, earning you Fan Points and other rewards like cash for upgrades. Nothing too complex at the moment, but it’s an optional way to support your favorites and receive rewards.

The objective of F1 World, like any action RPG looter, is to grind events, increase your level (i.e. Tech Level) by earning better items, partake in tougher races, and rinse repeat. It’s still possible to out-level some events, thus negating their challenge, but the mode still provides a fun distraction and contributes to your Podium Pass progression. Like last year, you can acquire cosmetics for your avatar with PitCoin, like shirts, pants, hats, and Podium emotes.

"As an overall package, F1 24 is worth checking out for many of the previously stated reasons. However, if you’re skeptical or still devoted to last year’s game, waiting for further iteration is advised."

Despite some odd screen-tearing in cutscenes and odd dithering shadows in the grid reveal for Driver Career, the visuals and presentation in F1 24 are pretty good. The broadcast angles, especially when taking a Formation Lap in the rain, highlight the realistic weather effects and animations while offering solid performance during races.

Even the drivers look much better than last year, approaching ever closer to resembling their real-world counterparts. Your enjoyment of the music and Elena, your agent, may vary. The voice acting comes across well for the latter – it’s the dialogue that feels a bit too cheesy sometimes. The commentary and radio chatter from the crew are spot-on, though engine noises can vary.

F1 24 is an interesting predicament for Codemasters. On the one hand, it delivers some compelling new Driver Career and Challenge Career modes with fresh wrinkles. F1 World may not be for everyone, but dipping in for some time trials and whatnot can be fun if you don’t want to commit to the grind. The tracks, presentation and AI (for the most part) are also pretty solid.

However, the handling changes aren’t quite there, even if you’re playing on a controller. It also needs more polish when considering the visual issues and some engine sound effects. As an overall package, F1 24 is worth checking out for many of the previously stated reasons. However, if you’re skeptical or still devoted to last year’s game, waiting for further iteration is advised.

This game was reviewed on PS5.

The latter receive early access on May 28th at 8 AM PDT (or May 29th, 1 AM AEST,) while the former can start playing on May 31st at the same time. EA Play subscribers can also look forward to the five-hour trial on May 28th at 8 AM PDT.

F1 24 will be available for PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 and Xbox One. It features several improvements and changes to last year’s iteration, including the new Dynamic Handling model, a new temperature mode for tyres, and aerodynamic modeling changes.

There’s also a new Driver Career mode where players can select real-world drivers and follow their journeys through the sport, achieving accolades and driving the direction of research and development. Check out our interview with senior creative director Lee Mather for more information.

"With the real drivers now included, you’ll certainly notice the changes in our cut scenes where the drivers become the focus along with the significant improvement to the driver models."

For the first time ever, F1 24 will allow players to play as real drivers. What are the biggest ways that will change the experience compared to what fans might be used to in past years’ career modes?

The first thing players will notice is that they can race as themselves or select from the current F1 or F2 grid or one of the Icon drivers. This addition helps build on players’ fandom, and greatly impacts the way Career is played. Each driver has unique stats based on their Careers and they will be affected by their in-game performance. Each driver will also have a set of accolades attached to them.

Overall players will be able to experience different types of Careers, from building their reputation from scratch to continuing the legacy of legendary icons from the past.

With the real drivers now included, you’ll certainly notice the changes in our cut scenes where the drivers become the focus along with the significant improvement to the driver models.

Another major benefit of racing as one of the real drivers is that we’ve now included real driver audio which brings players closer to the real-world experience and adds further authenticity.

What can you tell us about Accolades? What will be the biggest motivators for players to chase after Accolades in career mode? Will that experience be significantly different for someone who’s playing as a custom character as opposed to a real-world driver?

Accolades are key points in their careers which the player aims to target. For Lewis, an accolade could be to win an 8th World Championship. For Nico Hulkenberg it could be take your first victory. Accolades give fun, short and long term goals, that engage players with significant Career milestones. By achieving them, players can directly impact performance stats. Of course, if you’re playing as yourself you’ll be building your own legacy and Accolades from the beginning of your career.

F1 24 is promising plenty of other notable changes in its career mode, chief among them being the new recognition system. What can you tell us about how this will impact the way players approach both short and long-term objectives? How will recognition tie into contract negotiations with different teams?

Recognition in the paddock will be key to successfully progressing your career. Your level of recognition will impact your strength within the team, and this will be important to ensure you direct the development of the car. If you’re less successful, your teammate could get the upper hand and drive the direction of the upgrades. You will also gain additional perks which will impact how effectively you progress your vehicle development.

Recognition is also going to play a significant role when you come to contract negotiations. F1 24 has an entirely new system where the player can enter secret meetings and risk their reputation with their current team. Players will also negotiate goals and targets throughout the course of the season to establish the best team and contract options at the end of the year.

Career in F1 24 has a new rivalry system where players can be part of regular, heated, or career defining rivalries with other drivers. You can have up to 3 key rivals at any one time; these being your teammate, your nearest championship rival and a driver who’s statistically similar to you.

Players will set goals and targets which will be delivered to them by a team of specialists who are there to support the player with long term season ambitions.

F1 24 also sees a new feature added to the on-track experience with engineer objectives. Engineer objectives will be short term on-track goals which will be set live during the race. The objectives are designed to motivate the player and to help them achieve an immediate in-race goal.

"Recognition in the paddock will be key to successfully progressing your career. Your level of recognition will impact your strength within the team, and this will be important to ensure you direct the development of the car."

What can you tell us about Challenge Career seasons? Roughly how long will each season last, and how much variation can players expect moving from one season to the next?

Challenge Career enables players to race a predetermined episodic version of Career where their performance is rated and ranked amongst their peers across four difficulty settings. We’re looking at a season lasting around eight weeks, but we have the flexibility to adjust based on the story, and the player feedback we receive. Challenge Career is built upon the new Driver Career which gives us the opportunity to adjust the features in order to create a shared experience.

F1 24’s Dynamic Handling is being billed as one of its bigger core gameplay improvements. When it comes to the moment-to-moment driving experience, what are the areas where you’ve made the biggest tweaks to enable those improvements?

This year we set ourselves the goal to push multiple areas of the handling and on-track model to add depth and player agency to both the driving and the set-up of the car, and really push the authenticity of our aero, tyre, and power unit modelling.

We started by making changes to the fundamental properties of the chassis and replicating realistic weight distribution and underbody aero properties. We then built an entirely new suspension kinematics system which would allow us to recreate the unique set-ups run by each of the teams. We also revised our aerodynamics work using computational fluid dynamics and a virtual wind tunnel to learn more about the behaviour of air over the body of the car and how it’s distributed across the chassis. This also led to significant improvements in how aero is impacted by changes to the rake and ride height of the chassis as well as how impactful the Drag Reduction System (DRS) would be per team or track set-up. Finally we’ve redesigned a large portion of the Power Unit (more on this below).

The new EA Sports Handling System represents a significant shift in the racing experience, particularly for seasoned fans who prefer minimal or no assists while playing. Our goal with these changes is to recreate the authenticity of driving an F1 car in real life. We’ve received very positive feedback from those in the sport so we’re confident we’re on the right track.

The new power unit settings options are looking like an interesting tweak as well, with players now being afforded another degree of control over their car’s performance. What are the biggest differences these new options will make?

Opening up more settings in how effectively the engine can generate kinetic energy, whilst opening up all of the deployment modes to players across all sessions will lead to some incredibly tense and strategic racing, and allow the player to have a greater influence over the driving.

The power unit has been enhanced to include adjustable engine braking, thereby amplifying the effects of lift and coast on energy harvesting behavior. Greater accuracy in the energy harvesting and consumption of MGU-K and MGU-H and improved throttle mapping have also been introduced to help players reduce energy waste. Additionally, the Energy Recovery System (ERS) modes are now available to the player in all sessions, alongside a new differential model that gives players the opportunity to adapt to changing conditions.

"The new EA Sports Handling System represents a significant shift in the racing experience, particularly for seasoned fans who prefer minimal or no assists while playing. Our goal with these changes is to recreate the authenticity of driving an F1 car in real life."

What can you tell us about the new Fanzone Championship? Is this something you expect is going to become a central part of F1 24’s multiplayer offerings?

Fanzone is a new feature within the returning F1 World mode. It gives players the opportunity to showcase their favourite driver and team to channel their fandom, have fun and work together with other players who support the same driver and team.

In this new feature players will join Fanzone rooms with other players and complete collaborative goals to unlock exclusive rewards and take their Zone to the top. All play within F1 World will contribute to their Fanzone and work towards taking a seasonal Championship.

As with everything new we introduce into the game, we hope our players enjoy it and find new ways to connect with the sport they love.

Driver Career Mode

Instead of another iteration of Braking Point, F1 24 introduces Driver Career Mode. This allows for playing as one of 20 real drivers from the 2024 Formula One Season, as you meet race weekend and seasonal goals, fulfill contracts and boost your reputation. Those who want a bit more historical flavor can play as legends like Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher (or even have them as your teammates). You can even create a custom character and compete directly with the best in F1 or work your way up from F2. Whatever the choice, co-op once again returns, allowing two players to experience Career Mode together.

Career Mode Changes

Of course, Career Mode offers several other improvements, changes and new features like secret contract meetings (though it means big trouble if your team finds out). Building a reputation also affects Research and Development, with fewer chances for part design to fail and options for secret upgrades. Then you have Driver Accolades, which can apply to all types of racers and revolve around wins, podium placements, how many points you finished with and much more. However, they also mirror the achievements of real-world drivers. For instance, Max Verstappen’s accolades revolve around continuing his championship reign while Lewis Hamilton seeks his eighth title.

Track Updates

F1 24 offers 24 circuits from the official calendar year, with several revamped to ensure more accuracy. Silverstone has received significant updates to ensure players feel “every bump, kerb, and elevation change” (including changes to the undulation in Wellington Straight’s first section). Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps has seen some reprofiling done to Eau Rouge & Raidillon, Turn 11, and the Bus Stop, alongside updates to its run-off area.

Some off-track fairings will also now reflect the real-life version. Other circuit changes include revamped paddock buildings, curbs and safety barriers for Lusail International Circuit, while Jeddah Corniche Circuit features up-to-date infrastructure and trackside artwork to match the real world.

Driver Updates

Career Mode’s 20 drivers also benefit from improvements to eye and skin shaders and full hair rendering. They’re now a closer match to their real-life versions, but the differences from F1 23 are like night and day, further adding to the immersion and realism.

Challenge Career

Outside of Driver Career, there’s Challenge Career, which offers “shorter, bite-sized scenarios” for players to compete. Choose a driver and team, participate in events, earn points and battle for a position on the leaderboard. Once a season closes, whoever has the most points at the end of the season will win. The best part is that player voting and the real world will impact the drivers and circuits available, ensuring new scenarios throughout the year.

Broadcast Presentation Improvements

The presentation aspect of F1 is always important, and to that end, F1 24 includes audio samples from real drivers during past broadcasts which react to events on the track. There’s also a new broadcast package and cutscenes alongside more realistic-looking light and shadows on tracks thanks to Dynamic Diffuse Global Illumination. Camera angles during broadcasts, replays and showrooms feature ray-traced lighting, like last year’s title.

F1 World

F1 World returns for another season, once again challenging players to compete in a time-limited league against rivals while improving their car over time. Players can expect to complete events to obtain new personnel and parts while leveling up the Podium pass. Considering how addictive last year’s iteration was, all the changes and improvements that F1 24 brings should be interesting, including the new Fan Zones.

Fan Zones

With Fan Zones, players select their favorite teams and drivers for the season. After that, they’ll compete in different challenges (including predicting race results from the real-world season) and earn Fan Points for rewards, including player badges. Even the less popular teams have a shot due to the “balanced point systems.”

Dynamic Handling

The new EA Sports-branded Dynamic Handling provides more flexibility over your car setup, as new suspension kinematics offer a “much more realistic feeling of weight distribution and center of gravity,” per Codemasters. Revised spring and damper forces, which influence how one’s car reacts to different loads while navigating corners, are also in play, and choosing the best compromise for your suspension based on the track is more vital than ever.

Improved Tyre Model

F1 24 also improves on tyre behavior courtesy of a new temperature mode that factors in track conditions, tyre pressures, and your driving. One example is a track that begins drying up after rain, as you take advantage of remaining wet sections to cool things off (with the transition between wet and dry conditions being more realistic). Once again, however, getting too aggressive will cause tyres to deteriorate quicker, so knowing your limits is key.

Aerodynamic Modeling

Aerodynamics also play a role in the handling, with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) more accurately depicting the factors responsible for downforce. Slipstream can once be felt in straights when racing behind someone, but there’s also “dirty air” which realistically reduces your grip in corners. Furthermore, the changes to aerodynamic modeling affect the Drag Reduction System, providing more benefits when open on a car with a higher rear wing angle (even if it means lower top speeds on straights when closed).

Ray Tracing and PC VR Support

Ray Tracing is available for F1 24 on all current-gen platforms – Xbox Series X/S, PC and PS5. However, it’s still seemingly restricted to features like replays, pre-race cutscenes, and whatnot, like in F1 23. VR headsets are also supported this year for PC, though it sadly seems that PlayStation VR2 owners will be missing out.

Cross-play

After F1 22 launched without cross-platform multiplayer (receiving it several months later in an update), F1 23 would launch with the same and expand on the available options, including Ranked and Time Trial leaderboards into the mix. Thankfully, F1 24 is also confirmed to have cross-platform multiplayer at launch, alongside support for My Team Career Mode and the new Racenet Leagues.

Early Access

As is usually the case with games nowadays, F1 24 players can play the title early for a price. Pre-purchasing the Champions Edition for $89.99 grants three days of early access, alongside 18,000 PitCoin for spending in-game, the VIP Podium Pass, an F1 World Bumper Pack and even 2024 seasonal liveries, which can be used in F1 23’s Time Trial (though the offer is only valid until May 31st). Early access players can also unlock rewards in Special Events.

PC Requirements

Those who played F1 23 last year will probably notice how remarkably similar the PC requirements are for F1 24, which isn’t a bad thing. Minimum requirements include an Intel Core i3-2130 or AMD FX 4300, 8 GB of RAM and either an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 (6 GB) or an AMD RX 480 (8 GB). Ray tracing requires an RTX 2060, RX 6700XT or Intel Arc A380 are necessary. Those playing in VR will need a Core i5-9600k or Ryzen 5 2600X and a GTX 1660Ti, RX 590 or Intel Arc A380 with the same RAM.

Recommended requirements include a Core i5-9600k or Ryzen 5 2600X with 16 GB RAM and an RTX 2070 or AMD RX 6600 XT. Ray tracing requires the same CPU and RAM but with an RTX 3070, RX 6800 or Arc A580. Finally, VR requires an RTX 2070, RX 6700 XT or an Arc A580 alongside the same CPU and RAM. All configurations will need 100 GB of free space, DirectX 12 support and Windows 64-bit (Version 21H1 or higher).