Video Games : Race Driver: GRID (Xbox 360)

Rating: - A Frustrating Experience
I bought this game as an alternative to Forza; I wanted something that wasn't too arcade, but at the same time was easily accessible if I wanted to just pick up and play without having to worry about setting a car up. Codemasters have done this brilliantly in the past - something halfway between a sim and something arcade, but this isn't one of their triumphs.

I have two main problems with the game that have led me to get rid of it. The first one is the total lack of practise and qualifying for whatever race you are about to take part in. This is incredibly daunting when you start your career and you are literally flung into a strange car on a new track, somewhere in the middle of the grid. It might sound exciting, but it isn't fun being passed by everything because you've never seen the layout before.

The second problem I have is far more damning. The handling of the cars is dreadful. The cars themselves feel incredibly numb, as if you aren't really a part of the driving experience. This happens in every vehicle, from the single seaters right up to the Le Man racers. You press the brake and nothing, nothing, nothing... then it stops on a sixpence. LIkewise, steering the cars feels like you are trying to drive it with four flat tyres. You're never entirely sure when the car is going to start turning and then, when it is going to stop. It isn't simulation handling and it isn't arcade either. It's just.. nothing. It feels like someone sitting next to you is controlling it and you are shouting directions.

There are other flaws, as well as a few good points. The tracks ARE very pretty, although they are ridiculously smooth and lacking in bumps. A couple of them (Spa-Francochamps in particular) even seems to have had some of the gradients watered down. A lot has been made of the car damage model, but the cars are much too strong, and when you finally do wreck it, you get a bit of slow motion to tell you that you've destroyed it, and ten seconds of a replay. If I want to try and crawl across the line with three wheels because I happened to have clipped a barrier on the last lap, I'd like that to be my decision - I'd rather not be sucked into a multi-camera angle replay telling me my race is ended even though the engine is still running.

However, the career mode is engaging and rewarding. The range of cars and tracks is commendable. And for the first time in any racing simulation I've ever heard of, you get a decent voice-over race engineer, even if he does come out with helpful snippets like "You're in fourth place.. one more place and you get a podium!" The AI of the drivers isn't too mad either. They don't drive on rails like on the MotoGP games, and they don't drive through you as you sometimes get on Forza.

But unfortunately, I cannot recommend this game, either to someone who wants a casual thrash around some tracks, or to a simulation fan looking for depth. Everything else I have named and shamed, I could.. could possibly put up with, but the numb handling of the cars is unrewarding when you take a corner well, and frustrating when you plough into the gravel.

If, like me, you are looking for a fun game that bridges arcade and sim, stick with Codemaster's previous effort for XBOX - the 360 is backwards compatible after all - and go with Toca Race Driver 3. You can probably pick it up for a fiver.

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Rating: - Definitely not as good as Forza.
You will love this game if you have never played PGR3 or Forza2 - and if you think sliding or "drifting" as the youngsters call it "looks cool".
Unfortunately I loved PGR3 and Forza2 and thinking drifting is as lame as it is pointless. I only bought this game because my Nephews didn't have the finnesse and patience required to play FORZA2 well, I started to beat them so they bought GRID instead. Be warned: in GRID there is no RV mirror on out of car views so collisions - and arguments - will increase. There is barely any force feedback on a standard 360 controller. The HUD is way too small and in the RH bottom corner of the screen with the gear indictator furthest out of line of sight. I am older so my eyes do not appreciate the clutter of the detailed street circuits, and I detest the bright sunlight and shadows which (while very impressive) are just as annoying in real life.

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Rating: - race driver review
first time i have ever felt the need to review a game, just to warn people how bad this game is. this is by far the worst racing game i have ever played. it is nearly impossible to control your car and totally unplayable.

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Rating: - Do NOT believe the criticism
After reading the previous reviews, I have noticed that people are saying that the handling of the cars is too difficult ... no it isnt, seriously.

If people are saying you spin out on every corner, it's not because the game is challenging to handle, it's because they're simply not good at the game.

Personally, I think the handling is immaculate, taking a corner at the perfect speed feels amazing [I personally recommend using the Nissan Skyline, perfect] and the handling in itself is very realistic. The handling is a big plus point for this game.

Also, the looks. Wow! This game has amazing graphics even for a non HD tv [like I have] It's certainly a step forward from the Codemasters team.

I do like the team system. Hiring a teammate is fun, if you pick a good driver of course. At first I picked a rookie driver and he either came last or DNF. So instead I fired him and hired a Pro racer [which gave me 10G hehe] and now I'm contesting him for the win on every race.

Speaking of G, you can rack up a lot of gamerscore points with this game pretty quickly, which is good for people who also want to achieve points along with enjoying a really good racer.

Actually, I only have ONE problem with this game. I feel that when you drive onto the grass, the car's speed decreases dramatically, which is really frustrating. But really, you can just make a Flashback of the straight before the corner and simply take the corner again.

Overall, this is the best racing game i've ever played. [and I LOVED GT4] I totally recommend this game to people who wants a new racing game in their collection. Please, ignore the comments of the handling difficulties, it is simply because the player isn't good enough :)

Oh and to finish ... purchase the Chevrolet Lacetti, the brakes are amazing!

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Rating: - Damn good...
This game is very fun to play. It's a bit arcade like which makes it different from FM2, but still requires technical skill to succeed. The graphics are incredible and the balancing of the career mode is second to none as far as I'm concerned. It really pulls you into the genre with involvment in sponship deals, seasons, and driver / team tables.

Was slightly disappointed to finish the career mode on 'normal', and having achieved GS500+, within about 20 hours. There's definitely replay value though and I'm soon to start again with less driver aids and increased AI ability.

Online play is quite well done but bugs are plentiful. Reasonable to assume these will be patched out shortly though.

All in all, a very good game and well worth £40.