While F1 25 continues the tradition of being a highly realistic racing simulation, the series has evolved beyond just a sim since F1 21. The popular story mode, Braking Point, is back for its third installment. Similar to the My Team mode where you manage an organization, Braking Point immerses you in the intense world of an aspiring F1 team, focusing on the drama and challenges rather than just management.
Gavin Cooper, the creative director, explained that when they introduced the Braking Point characters and the Konnersport team in previous games, they aimed for authenticity. It wasn`t initially realistic for these characters to win championships immediately. However, the investment in their development over the past five years now allows the team to tell a story where Konnersport can realistically compete for the championship against the established F1 teams.
The Braking Point mode is designed to encourage new players to continue engaging with the game.
Cooper noted that many new players start with Braking Point, and the developers aimed to make the transition from completing the story mode to exploring the rest of the game seamless. He highlighted the mode`s high completion rate among players who begin it.
Players finishing Braking Point will have a specific path allowing them to continue with the Konnersport team directly into either of the Career modes.
The mode also offers replayability, with alternate endings possible depending on the player`s driver choices during events.
For experienced players, a new fourth difficulty level has been added to Braking Point for an increased challenge. The existing three difficulties have been adjusted for a better experience across various skill levels. A significant visual enhancement is the integration of Nvidia Audio2Face technology. This allows for realistic facial animations generated from audio, visible during `Meet The Press` sessions with drivers via a front-facing camera, and also applies to facility heads in the My Team mode.
A unique new feature for the series is a crossover with the upcoming Brad Pitt film, `F1`, which features the Apex Grand Prix team (APXGP). At the game`s launch, players can use APXGP in My Team or add them as the 11th team in Driver Career mode. Following the movie`s release (June 25th), F1 25 will include gameplay moments mirroring key film scenes, offering unlockable rewards like liveries, suits, and helmets featured in the movie.
Alongside updates to the My Team mode and other yearly improvements, F1 25 is shaping up to be a highly comprehensive racing simulation. Players can experience it firsthand starting May 30th.
Finley Holt 
Callum Darby