Random Video Game Review - F1 Race Stars

I'm not really a fan of these hardcore racing games like Forza, Gran Turismo and any of the official F1 games. I just don't understand them and feel much better acquainted with go-kart games such as Mario Kart. Those sorts of games don't take themselves seriously, and they are a lot of fun to play with power-ups, over the top tracks and a choice of characters (some more well known and beloved than others). I've played nearly every single known one of these games, including a now not so well known Lego one and its sequel. So when I heard that Codemasters who make the F1 games were considering making an F1 game in this style, my thoughts were mixed. I asked myself would it work and would F1 fans like it. I personally don't mind F1, but I'm not a huge fan. In fact, years ago when I was still at school, I had fond memories going to the barbers to get my hair cut and F1 would be playing on the TV. So I don't really know what I'm getting myself into here, but let's take a look anyway:

Loosely based on the 2012 season of F1, players get a choice of cartoony looking F1 racers (all based on the real people with a couple of original ones too), each belonging to their own teams. You get a choice of 11 circuits with each being based on one of the 20 rounds from the 2012 season, but modified for gameplay purposes such as the inclusion of loops, shortcuts and other things too. There are power ups and also pit stations in case you end up having the car damaged.

Much of this game is based on what other go-kart games have done in terms of gameplay. The loops, power ups and shortcuts definitely come from the one that started this sub-genre, Mario Kart. Whereas pit stops are very similar to something seen in Lego Racers 2 where players can go into this part of the track to rebuild their cars. Overall, it's nothing that says innovative, but at least it's more to do with something that is very real albeit cartoony as opposed to the more fictional ones. It's a decent game, definitely one for F1 fans who aren't too keen on the more mainstream F1 games, and it's a great alternative to those go-kart games you can only get on certain platforms. Especially for those of us that use PCs. 7/10