With F1 23<\/a> racing onto consoles and PC this week, we\u2019ve been testing the game out, and we\u2019re pleased to report that it really is a drive worth taking, largely thanks to the gripping Braking Point story mode.<\/p>\n Returning fans will remember that Braking Point was first introduced in F1 21<\/a>, letting players experience the high octane life of fictional drivers Aiden Jackson (played by Aiden Felgate) and Casper Akkerman (Christopher Dane), with thrills and spills both on and off the track, and a brilliantly hate-worthy villain in the shape of rival racer Devon Butler (Daniel Ben Zenou).<\/p>\n Much like FIFA\u2019s long-lost story mode, The Journey, Braking Point was hugely celebrated by fans of solo play. And when the mode took a year off, skipping F1 22<\/a> altogether as EA and Codemasters focused their attention in other areas, we really did miss it. Visually stunning racing is all well and good, but tying it up in a rich story is even better.<\/p>\n Thankfully, there\u2019s a whole new Braking Point campaign in F1 23, and we had a really great time with it. One of our only complaints with the original Braking Point was that some of the on-track objectives felt overly difficult with very little leeway, forcing you to replay the same segments over and over again beyond the point of having a good time.<\/p>\n With the new Braking Point, however, we\u2019d say that the difficulty is pitched at a much more lenient level. We haven\u2019t felt stuck or frustrated in the same way at all. On top of your basic, very doable objectives, there are additional targets to hit if you\u2019re able, but you won\u2019t be penalised if you miss them. In fact, the in-game social media feed will react accordingly whatever you do.<\/p> In terms of the story, there are some really fun twists and turns this time (even Devon gets a strong arc), which we won\u2019t spoil for you here. The campaign goes to great lengths to show a more progressive version of the sport than we\u2019re currently seeing in real life. At times, it does veer over the top into soapy melodrama, but for the most part it\u2019s a very fun experience that really makes you care about what\u2019s happening on the track.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also worth giving a special shoutout to EastEnders<\/a> alum Emer Kenny<\/a>, who joins the Braking Point cast as a new character named Callie Mayer, making such a profound impact on the story \u2013 and being so continuously watchable \u2013 that original protagonist Aiden almost becomes a background character at points. All the actors put in strong performances, but Kenny\u2019s Callie steals the show as a strong-willed, outspoken new addition.<\/p>\n Beyond Braking Point, Codemasters has made a number of changes. Echoing real life, the developers have added the Las Vegas Grand Prix to the mix. A street race in iconic surroundings, it really is a rather striking place to drive. The other new track is Qatar, adding even more variety to your available environs.<\/p>\n Wherever you\u2019re racing, the cars and the locations look visually impressive, with this series continuing to provide examples of just how good current-gen graphics can look. Some of the character models in Braking Point, too, look almost entirely photo-real in certain scenes. At other points, however, they really don\u2019t. (For example, in a sit-down solo interview, the characters look amazingly real; but when they\u2019re on the podium surrounded by other characters, the cracks start to show).<\/p> ![\""Emer\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2023\/06\/Emer-Kenny-plays-Callie-Mayer-in-F1-23-Braking-Point-d1de068.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"Emer-Kenny-plays-Callie-Mayer-in-F1-23-Braking-Point\"\\"\/")
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