Race Driver: Grid
June 20th 2008 03:55
Codemasters have brought a brand new game to us and after playing it, I feel like my life is dull compared to the sleek turbo powered game play of Grid.
Red line revs, V8 roars and all the like are included in this new racing game as you travel between Europe, America and Japan not to mention the rest. Each country holding its own type of race. Europe hosts track events, Where you'll weave and wind and always fear of spinning out on the grass. America's home to street racing, where you the only thing you have to worry about are the concrete strength barriers and Japan is all about going sideways. I'm sure you guessed it, Drifting is Japans home racing sport.
When setting up your driver profile, You do the usual: First name, Last name and Country. However the next bit is what I liked! You select your audio name, From Aaron to Zachary and Abigail to Victoria. If first names aren't your thing, or yours isn't in there, Then you can select from a variety of Nicknames also, E.g. 'Hello Ace'.
After selecting your event, You are shown the 'Race options' where you can set the difficulty from basic to extreme. Next is Pro Mode where you cannot restart the race from the pause menu. Then locked to head camera (In front of the wheel, my favourite) and then Driver Assists where you can turn on and off your Traction control, Transmission, Braking assist and Stability control. The more things you turn off or on (whatever makes the game harder) will result in you securing yourself more rep points, which builds you a bigger reputation.
The game play is a blur of top speed sliding and intense power especially from the Head Cam where the windscreen can crack from a crash, adding that extra bit of difficulty. The realistic car damage makes you pick your spots and take corners properly as to keep your car in better condition resulting in fasting acceleration and quicker cornering as compared to Gran Turismo 5 Prologue where bumper to bumper and scraping along the walls will help you.
Totaling your car is possible as I found out when I pulled the hand brake going 200 km/h in my immaculate condition Ford Mustang GT-R concept. Needless to say, It wasn't any more than a crushed piece of metal after that. In the start menu though, There is 'Instant Replay' which is about 15 seconds worth of footage that I use to watch my tail slide out as I go around corners, but it has a useful tool as well. Rewind the replay to somewhere before impact and press the X button and it well return to you that point in time. These are called Flash backs and you get a certain amount every race depending on difficulty.
Superb graphics, presentation, good textures and lighting but you won't notice them after a while any way as you shift through gears and overtake opponents. Sounds are well done as well, Nothing like hearing the sound of your turbo spooling before you get that kick of speed.
With over 40 cars in Grid there is a lot of variety, however there is no upgrading which people may frown upon but Codemasters is trying something here. They are trying to get rid of so much detail away from the driving and focus on the cars, the tracks and you having fun in this intense racer.
The Xbox Live is good and the lobby is well done and easy to select races against your overseas counterparts. It also features full car damage, Meaning I will try and make you wreck your car on the 80 circuits there are to race on.
I am definitely into racing games, But I also grow bored of them quite quickly. I can't see this happening with Grid. So if you're into racing games too, I definitely recommend buying this.
If you're interested in the achievements click here
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