Xbox 360 Critic Reviews

On the surface, the changes made to F1 2011 over its predecessor seem small, but once you start a career mode or get to grips with car setup, you'll find that the game really is the huge overhaul they claimed it would be.

The racing feels so spot on, and the dynamic weather effects and track conditions really give it that authentic feel.

Casual racers need not apply. Even when you try to dumb down the game with options and settings F1 2011 will prove too taxing for all but the most serious F1 racing fans. Bring a good sound system, a comfortable chair, and a reliable racing wheel to the table and prepare for the ultimate F1 racing experience you can have without leaving the house…or the country.

Fans of Formula One can finally rejoice that their favorite sport is being faithfully represented in the video game realm, and fans of racing games get another great series from a great developer. It's a perfect 1-2 finish.

F1 2011 shows improvement over its predecessor of last year in both polish and fidelity to the Formula 1 traveling circus, but might be too complicated for the F1 novice. Watching a few actual races first would help the novice get up to speed.

F1 2011 is exactly the kind of racing game the previous one should have been. No one that enjoys F1 should ever miss out on this one.

While it's never going to be as surprising or novel as Codies' first stab at Formula One, for a seasonal update there's a remarkable number of tweaks and changes, all of which are for the better. What's more, the game has become one of the most substantial and compelling multiplayer racing offerings around and, with the addition of co-op at whatever diffi culty you choose, is more inclusive for all skill levels than the majority of online racers.

Codemasters seems to have learned from its mistakes and have delivered a masterpiece for the circuit lovers.

Although it doesn't shine for innovation, F1 2011 proves to be a well-crafted and solid racing simulation, and one that will surely keep any fan of the genre very busy for a long time.

It's the little things that the core F1 audience will appreciate: the oscillating body work, revamped pit stops, improved tyre degradation, a dynamic cloud system. While casual players might question whether much is different a year down the road after 2010, those in the know - those whose second home is behind a steering wheel - will agree that F1 2011 is the most complete representation of the sport to date.