Platform: PS3 (Also on Xbox 360, PC)

Developer: Codemasters Birmingham

Publisher: Codemasters

# of Players: 1 – 2 (Online 2 – 16)

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Official Site

Score: A- (90%)

Personally, I don’t know that Sebastien Vettel
But some true F1 fanatics, they think he’s just swell
A consecutive world champion thrice in a row
Tracks worldwide fill up just to see the man go
Conversely, some other core F1 fans hate him
They say things I’ll not at all quote here verbatim
“His streak’s got to end!”, “He makes the sport boring!”
(I wonder how one watches that F1 while snoring?)

But now Vettel fans (and detractors alike)
Can get in on the thrills (it’s your chance to strike!)
Codemasters’ brand new F1 2013
Brings all the sport’s challenge with visuals so clean
Classic Mode’s here with some cars from the past
And DLC coming that will make this one last
With gameplay adjustable from novice to vet
Makes this one their best ever F1 game yet.

Improvements like saving between those tough races
make 2013 great when playing in paces
The learning curve’s stiffer if you take things too quickly
That tutorial’s a mandate or else you’ll play sickly
This isn’t your run of the mill arcade racer
Nor a straight brutal sim, nor a simple kart chaser
A balance is struck where you learn as you go
And adjust up to speed as your new driving skills grow.

You may find winning at first oh so truly hard
But mastering F1 requires a foot with less lard
Lay off gas when prompted and don’t slam the brakes
Or spinouts and damaged car parts you’ll soon face
Each track’s it’s own challenge, you’ll need to race often
Until your old fears and moods start to soften.
Controls are sublime, you’ve multiple views to select
Dash, front to whole car, each one is quite perfect

You kids who thought they’d somehow leave them out
Need to respect this team greatly and quit with the doubt
That grand F1 license the Codies now caretake
Means they’ll do their best for these games that they make
No rocket cars, jet planes or quite silly old codes
Just respect for the fine sport means great things in loads
Like true to life courses and up to date cars
with AI that doesn’t drive as if it’s on Mars

These guys play to win, but make some mistakes
You’ll fight for each position and cheer overtakes
But watch it on sharp turns lest you lose your place
and wind up with skid marks on your shorts and face
The solo play’s lengthy, the online’s quite solid
Replay value’s high and not at all squalid
You won’t find complaints here about the main game
nor gripes about things that on surface seem same

Incremental changes come aside major tweaks
that should be noticeable to big F1 freaks
to say this one’s not so big a new deal
means you’d be missing what gives this appeal
F1 should feel as close as the real thing
without shutting out players who want to be king
2013’s not too easy at all, kids
and you hardcore fans? Yes, you’ll get your skids

If you’re one of those stiff PC chins who demands the best F1
Expensive wheel and pedal, leather gloves for your fun
A custom built seat on imported steel frame
and beastly machine, spec built and not tame
Who champion the stellar game from that Crammond guy
While scoffing at console folk who decide F1’s their buy
Remember this fact: your high tastes are your choice
Codemasters’ experience gives console fans voice

Their great F1 series, it continues to improve
I’d bet soon enough it finds that tight groove
between sim and casual that pleases all comers
and silences those elites that spout off some bummers
a game made for all F1 fans ’round the globe
on console or computer in whatever abode
So many will play it and all test their mettle
As they try to beat that darn mister Vettel!