F1 Challenge Review

F1 Challenge comes to iOS; giving all racing fans a tiny bit of Formula 1 excitement while on the go. It offers quick challenges that feature time trials, qualifications, chase the ace, and other events. It also has a short Grand Prix for players to partake in. However, there is nothing significant about these races. It’s all presented to give players a quick, on-the-go Formula 1 experience.

F1 Challenge has simple enough gameplay with only two control options to use while playing from a top-down angle. Players can steer by moving their thumb up and down to turn left and right and can add K.E.R.S. (boost) by tapping on the opposite side of the screen. This works very well for an easy-going experience. There isn’t a whole lot of challenge throughout the entire game, though it’s still important to know the tracks as players need to time their turns so they don’t go off the road. The cars automatically gas and break with each part of the course, so the player’s job is to nail the corner perfectly to gain some time and to use their K.E.R.S. at the right moment on a longer stretch to overtake opponents.

There are over 90 challenges from a number of different teams. As players quickly speed past each challenge, they earn stars that are used to unlock more challenges. Before players can play through all the challenges from a single team they’ll need to race with each crew to earn more stars so they can unlock the later challenges. It’s a nice way to force players to use everyone, though it all feels the same and each team has the same type of challenges as the next.

Challenges aren’t too difficult, either. I’ve had a rather easy time going through the game, though that doesn’t mean I haven’t enjoyed my experience. There are still turns that can catch players off guard, especially when racing on new tracks. I’ve found myself in some close battles due to hitting too much dirt on the side of the road throughout the course of the race. One of my favorite moments was overpassing a car on the final turn and then barely holding them off beside me so that I could cross the finish line first. I had a nice smile on my face during that race, so it does create some good moments.

F1 Challenge certainly has its flashes of excitement, and most Formula 1 fans can enjoy the short and simple challenges, but it’s fairly easy for the most part and won’t hold the player’s attention for too long. It’s a great first lap for this game as I love the simple and casual gameplay, but it needs to put up better times in the future.