F1 Race Stars

 PlayStation 3
User Score
5.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 44 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 44
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 44
  3. Negative: 12 out of 44
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  1. doghouse_r
    Feb 27, 2013
    6
    It's quite fun, but flawed. Sometimes it all works great, the elements of F1 are there, such as deciding whether to use the pit lane now and lose some time, or take the hit and try to get ahead anyway. There's also a fuel mode where picking up fuel slows you down, another interesting addition. There are also famous bits of the tracks thrown in, KERS boosts, and of course all the teams andIt's quite fun, but flawed. Sometimes it all works great, the elements of F1 are there, such as deciding whether to use the pit lane now and lose some time, or take the hit and try to get ahead anyway. There's also a fuel mode where picking up fuel slows you down, another interesting addition. There are also famous bits of the tracks thrown in, KERS boosts, and of course all the teams and drivers (and the F1 pink Girlie team everyone has heard of). I'm also fine with no powersliding, this if F1 Race Stars, not Rally Race Stars. Then on the other hand you have the chaos that really detracts from the experience. Powerups are too frequent, especially for the AI drivers, who use them constantly and you see yourself losing several places within a few seconds, and being stuck with a malfunctioning car and limping to the pits only to lose a few more places. Not to mention the powerups someone should have been fired over, like the "teleport to first place" one, which will sometimes see someone just materialize in front of you before the finish line. There's also a boost at the start if you power your engine at the right time, but all the AI drivers seem to get it anyway as I never make up any places with the boost at the start, so what's the point? Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the game but it really needs some kind of patching or a re-think if they're going for Race Stars 2. The tracks are fun and colourful, the drivers look good and the racing, when it works, is great. Something needs to be done about the balance and randomness of it all, though.… Expand
  2. JDConspirator
    Feb 13, 2013
    5
    F1 Race Stars does a great job being an illusion. As you stare at its colourful circuits and its cheeky bobble-headed F1 heroes, you'd be mistaken for thinking that there is some great arcade racing fun to be had. Alas all you will end up with is a sub-par Formula 1 game masquerading as a kart racer. The main frustration is that Race Stars abuses one of the most vital aspects of kartF1 Race Stars does a great job being an illusion. As you stare at its colourful circuits and its cheeky bobble-headed F1 heroes, you'd be mistaken for thinking that there is some great arcade racing fun to be had. Alas all you will end up with is a sub-par Formula 1 game masquerading as a kart racer. The main frustration is that Race Stars abuses one of the most vital aspects of kart racers-balance. Too often you will toil getting to the top, only to have one of the bland weapon bubbles whisk you up and dump you down. And to top it all off you you will lose 6 places in one swoop. Too much emphasis is placed on F1, and the karting aspects take a back seat to sporadic KERS boosts and a dull sense of speed. What could've been an enjoyable counter-alternative to the yearly simulation heavy franchise, ends up being less fun and more frustrating than its visuals would accentuate.… Expand
  3. AndyClimax
    Nov 6, 2014
    6
    It's a fun enough kart racer, but there's something missing that means it'll never be in the tier of Crash Team Racing or Mario Kart. In the higher difficulty the AI seems to cheat far too often and make use of the secret shortcuts, meaning you can be a comfortable 15 seconds in the lead only to be overtaken without knowing.

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
61

Mixed or average reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 27
  3. Negative: 1 out of 27
  1. Hyper Magazine
    Jan 24, 2013
    50
    A benign but relatively feckless take on the whole kart-racing thing. Fun, but too lightweight. [Feb 2013, p.72]
  2. Play UK
    Jan 12, 2013
    61
    The game itself is in need of a good bit of work. [Issue#226, p.82]
  3. Official PlayStation Magazine Benelux
    Jan 8, 2013
    70
    Despite being a kids game, F1 Race Stars uses its license to the bone. Cars are properly branded and colored with the right sponsors and every driver of the 2012 season showed up, plus four imaginary drivers, including three women. [January 2013, p.74]
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