Xbox 360

GRID

In fact, you can keep your “high-def, two hours driving a Suzuki Cappuccino round an oval, super shiny, 4 wheels always on the ground” tedium. Race Driver: GRID is the most action-packed, grittiest, smokiest, varied and entertaining game that I have played this year. Anyone who says damage does not add anything to a driving game is a liar and anyone who doesn’t think this sets a new standard for the genre is a pedestrian in every possible sense too.

Race Driver: GRID is a solid, solid title with very few flaws - and certainly nothing to put you off a purchase. Love it.

This is the premium driving title out on the 360 at the moment, and a must own for any fans of the racing genre. When buying a car in real life, it isn't about the miles per gallon, but about the smiles per mile. This game will definitely make you smile. Codemasters have certainly put themselves at the top of the pile, and it's going to be a major challenge for anyone to come close, let alone knock them off.

GRID is a return to what it is to play a racing game. Driving. Racing. GRID spotlights the tracks and cars, and the thrill of coming in first. The heart-pounding feeling of threading a car through that pin-head turn takes center stage this time around. Codemasters had the same philosophy and struck gold with DiRT. With GRID they expanded and deepened what made DiRT so great and turned out a fantastic racing experience for those who just want to see the world fly by in a flash and cross the finish line at the top spot.

While other games may nail the simulation experience, Grid embraces the fun of racing, and doesn't let up until you cross the finish line.

Satojen autojen valikoimiin tottunut pelaaja saa shokin nähtyään Race Driverin tarjoaman, melko suppean raaserikatalogin. Kiitos eri luokkien tarjoaman vaihtelun ei autojen vähäisyys kuitenkaan häiritse. Kokonaisuutena Race Driver GRID on varsin tehokas paketti ratasarjojen ystäville. Tuning-faneille tarjolla olevat drifting-kilpailut ja tosiäijien amerikkalaiset romurallit tuntuvat muuten vauhdikkaassa pelissä hieman päälleliimatuilta lajeilta, jos kohta näitäkin on pakko tahkota myös uramoodissa. Ratakilpurit ja formulaluokat ovat pelin ehdottomasti parasta antia niin yksin- kuin moninpelissäkin. Vauhdista pitäville ja perheautoilla kisutteluun kyllästyneille GRID on juuri oikea valinta bensanhuuruille sykkivän sydämen tyydyttämiseksi. Loput voivat jatkaa autokaupan kansanautoilla ajettavia leikkikilpailujaan siloisempien pelien parissa.

Sure, there are a plethora of racing games on the market but GRID stands out above them all. The game plays fantastically and the crashes are mind blowing in their detail and diversity. The presentation is top notch and the game engine is one of the best to date. The audio can be annoying at times and the car count isn’t jaw dropping but these are minor shortcomings which do very little to ruin the overall product. It is sure to appeal to people who like both simulations and arcade racers as both audiences are catered for, to varying degrees. Very highly recommended.

So, is GRID the next big thing in the automotive game genre? I think so. The game has incredible arcade form, and I think the Flashback feature is one of the best new ideas we've seen come from this genre in a long time. This type of innovation is very encouraging and gives me hope that perhaps the automotive genre is not as stale as I might have thought. So, if you're in the mood for an absolutely delightful and fresh automotive experience, you owe it to yourself to pick up GRID!

Race Driver GRID ist einfach großes Kino! Angefangen bei der Präsentation, über die unterschiedlichen Regionen und abwechslungsreichen Rennen, bis hin zu der grandiosen Grafik. Für uns fährt sich GRID dank seinem tollen Look, dem fantastischen Schadensmodell sowie der einzigartigen Rennatmosphäre in die erste Riege der großen Racinggames. Codemasters schafft es, dass sein neuestes Wunderwerk in einem Atemzug mit Forza2 und PGR4 genannt werden darf und dabei noch mit der besten Optik von allen punkten darf.

Für Spieler mit Hang zu Rennspielen kann es diesen Sommer eigentlich nur eine Empfehlung geben: Holt euch Race Driver GRID! Die Grafik ist umwerfend und muss am PC auch nicht mehr mit so hohen Anforderungen erkauft werden, wie noch bei Colin McRae DIRT; das Fahrgefühl sollte sowohl Simulations-Fans, als auch Spieler mit weniger Hang zu Realismus in Spielen gefallen; die Management-Komponente ist spaßig, aber nicht übertrieben; und die diversen Austragungsorte bieten mit ihren verschiedenen Schwerpunkten genug Abwechslung, um nie Langeweile aufkommen zu lassen. Da verzeih ich dem Titel auch gerne, dass er „nur“ 42 Autos in petto hat und keinerlei Tuning-Möglichkeiten bietet. Codemasters beschränkt sich einfach aufs Wesentliche, und treibt das bis nahe an die Perfektion!

With around 20 hours play under my belt, I’ve still got a severe craving to get back to it as soon as possible to see how things progress when I move into the upper echelons of GRiD’s champion drivers. I’d seriously like to see a sequel feature more tracks and different racing types as there’s still enough room for it to expand a touch. Secretly too I’d love to see Codemasters produce at least one more proper Touring Car game based on the BTCC stuff (which probably wouldn’t sell very well in the States but what do they know about driving games anyway!)

Although the drift racing is too dependant on the hand brake and I'd like more emotional investment in the cars in my garage (some tweaking would be nice, as would more of a sense of pride in each car I own), Grid is a shining example of how to make a fresh racing game that captures that age-old fundamental desire to go screaming down the asphalt like a rubber-shredding, hell-bent maniac.

Race Driver Grid on todella hyvä autopeli. Arcadeautoilijalle se toimii kuin unelma, ja simulaatiofanienkin kannattaa testata sitä: kun nettipelikin toimii, pelistä ei löydy oikeastaan yhtään huonoa osa-aluetta.

After a good amount of thought, I'm not so quick to label Race Driver: GRID as "the perfect racing game," but it's definitely one of the best on the market ever made, and it is the perfect example of compromise between the two divisions of the genre. It's forgiving enough for arcade-style players to get into, yet challenging and rewarding enough to make them want to get better, while not leaving them stuck in one place. Sim nuts, naturally, will be quite pleased as well. I don't say things like this often, but if you play only one racing game this year, it really should be GRID. It absolutely has to be experienced to be believed.

While the game's focus is clearly on driving, managing sponsors right will double or triple the income of winning an event and is a fun minigame on its own; making lots of money is crucial to entering higher-level, ultra-costly racing series. Hiring and managing a teammate is also a small but nice feature; not only because you'll need to avoid smashing into him during a race, but because some racers deceptively sell themselves as highly skilled. After a few races, it will be clear whether they were worth the signing bonus. Also, the four difficulty settings, which you can switch to at any time, offer a good way of getting the right level of challenge for beginners or hardcore racers.

GRID is ultimately the fun and enjoyable racing game that many people have been waiting for. With beautiful graphics and an amazing flashback feature, who wouldn't buy this game? With so many different game types, GRID really does cater all thrills that drivers seek. The single player is addictive and online play is expertly done. GRID is now a force to be reckoned with, and the only thing holding back a higher score is the lack of car customisation and the fact that Codemasters didn't include split screen. Apart from that, hats off to Codies for creating such an excellent game.

Otherwise, GRID is a great success: the single-player is varied without being confusing; the online multiplayer supports 12 players and damage modelling, reducing the number of first-corner pile-ups; tracks and cars are well chosen and recreated; and Flashback allows you to race with the same determination on lap three as you did on lap one, mitigating risk in a manner of which other racing game developers will soon be envious. Even if GRID doesn't give Codemasters parity with PGR in US sales, as the developer hopes, it's a fine achievement and an early leader in the race to be 2008's best driving game.

While it’s hard to fully judge GRID compared to other racing games that feature heavy vehicle modification, the on-road manners of Codies’ affair can hang with the best of ’em. Although less technical and robust than Turn 10’s Forza, GRID pulls alongside of the Project Gotham series on its way to becoming a new podium-worthy entrant into the Console Racer Cup. Perhaps more importantly looking toward the future is that it is Mission: Accomplished for Codemasters in its efforts to create a globally appealing console racer steeped in both driving fun and motor-sports realism.

Und Action: Wer mit GRID einen Nachfolger der simulationslastigen TOCA-Serie erwartet, wird bitter enttäuscht. Dennoch, auch der ein oder andere Sim-Fan wird sicherlich Gefallen an dem actionreichen Gameplay finden und eines ist sicher: Langeweile kommt bei GRID aufgrund der vielen Rennserien so schnell nicht auf. Die Präsentation des Titels ist wirklich hervorragend und Codemasters schafft es tatsächlich in einigen Punkten, eine Brücke zwischen Arcade und Simulation zu schlagen. Dennoch: Auf der Wunschliste für den sicherlich erscheinenden Nachfolger wünschen wir uns von Codemasters wieder etwas mehr „Back to the Roots“-Mentalität und vielleicht etwas mehr Konsequenz.

There are plenty of other racing games on the market, but Grid captures the soul of the track like none other. The crashes are insane, the races are intense, the cars are coated with style and the overall presentation is just plain sexy. Although its car count is low, customization is limited and the repetitive dialogue grates a bit, Grid's stands out as a stylish but serious alternative to both hardcore driving simulations and over-the-top arcade racers.

Ich bin hin und her gerissen. Dass 'Race Driver: GRID' mehr Arcade als Realismus bietet, passt mir als Pistensau irgendwie nicht so richtig. Dabei kann ich aber nicht leugnen, dass ich bisher sehr viel Spaß mit dem Spiel hatte. Ich musste mich nur an das eigenwillige Fahrverhalten der Fahrzeuge gewöhnen. Was mich letztendlich überzeugt hat, waren die Abwechslung und die Spannung, die das Spiel bietet. Das Renn- und Mittendrin-Gefühl wurde sehr gut umgesetzt, und auch darauf kommt es ja an. Enttäuschte Jünger der 'Need for Speed'-Gemeinde werden in 'GRID' ihren neuen Messias finden. Auch wenn der Aufbau von Fahrzeugen fehlt.

GRID exceeds in many ways for a racing title, it certainly takes over DiRT just based on the fact that it has an actual proper multiplayer component, however, I prefer the style and pick-up n' play nature of DiRT. If you are someone who likes your arcade racing games then GRID is certainly worth a look-in, perhaps giving the demo a test-drive before hand, too? Just don't expect an easy ride compared to those arcade racers that came before it. GRID is better than many of today's highly regarded racers, yes it can be frustrating and may take some brief getting used to; however Race Driver: GRID is one rewarding drive worth taking.

GRID does a brilliant job of balancing the depth of simulation racing with the pure fun of arcade racing, and the result is as intense as it is accessible. There are a few small problems that will hopefully be worked out in the future, but nothing even remotely serious enough to warrant a moment's pause from racing fans. If you've never played a racing game before, this is a good place to start, and if you have, there's going to be something here that you'll enjoy. Codemasters is two for two with its racing game rebranding strategy, and we can't wait to see what they do with the newly acquired F1 license.

GRID is a solid racing experience whether you like arcade style racing games or not. There’s nothing to really complain about, the game is all around good. The graphics are excellent and easy on the eyes, and the sound is well rounded and helps you get into the game. The car views make it easy to see unless you’re in the in car view with a shattered windshield. The only complaints are that the controls feel a little floaty and take a little getting used too. Also with today’s popularity in the car tuning business the game lacks aftermarket mods. The last real complaint is that there’s no split screen multiplayer option. Aside from these few bad things the game is wonderful. The career mode will take a long enough time to finish that you’ll be busy for a while. If you liked Project Gotham, or like racing games in general, this is certainly worth the $ 70 price tag or at least a rental.

GRID’s delicate straddling of the line between arcade and simulation racing is one that works well for it, appealing to fans of either simulation or arcade racers, once you get used to its handling quirks. While the wealth of race disciplines provides a refreshing sense of variety, the lack of environments and vehicles to match is a bit disheartening. It also trips up slightly in its representation of Professional racing, which it emulates with mixed results. That being said though, GRID is a surprisingly fun racing game that does a great service to the sport. While the Xbox 360 isn’t exactly in desperate need of another great racing game (its catalog is quite full of those), this one should do racing fans proud and is worth a look for anyone with even a small interest in the genre.

Despite some of its flaws, I cannot say that this is a bad game. If you want to experience a good racer and have been disappointed by recent failures like NFS: Pro Street and such, then I advise you to give this one a go. The single-player campaign is fun all the way and worthy of your time. Assuming you are prepared to look the other way when it comes to the aforementioned setbacks, GRID can provide many long hours of top-notch entertainment.

Still, when you have a game that looks as good as this and which delivers some thrilling racing moments, it's hard to complain too much. The damage model needs to be seen to be believed, and is even more advanced than what we saw in DiRT. A deep, engaging and somewhat varied experience, Race Driver: GRID should offer something for most players.

"Grid" é um jogo que não sabe muito bem qual o seu papel. Apesar de ser vendido como um simulador , com um sistema de gerenciamento de equipes e tudo mais, acaba mostrando mais características de arcade, como dirigibilidade mais simples e poucas opções de pistas e carros. Ao menos a apresentação é de grande qualidade e há bastante desafios para manter o interesse por muito tempo, o que deve agradar os fãs do gênero que buscam algo não tão preso à realidade.

Still, despite its rather basic approach, GRID does deliver an intense model of racing that is as enjoyable as it is plain. The lack of vehicle tuning and the dearth of available cars leaves one corner of this square missing, but that doesn't keep it from rolling along. When you consider that it can cost as much to fill your gas tank as to buy a copy of the game, it's that much easier to be hip to the straightforward, yet energetic racing that GRID offers.

At times Codemasters seems to be positioning the game as a 'greatest hits of racing', and while some refinement in individual disciplines has been sacrificed to achieve this, Grid would serve as the best available entry point for newcomers to next-gen racing, and a worthy investment for anyone else.

GRID isn't a hugely deep game, but it has an impressive array of small features and presentation pieces that serve to make it feel bigger than it really is. By amping up the excitement level of virtual racing, GRID's driving serves as a great benchmark for how to do racing properly - intense, with a proper feeling of danger. Unfortunately, the quirky handling and lack of tuning options strip it of pole position somewhat - it's hard to imagine the hardcore elite racing fans leaving Forza or Gran Turismo for it - but as a pick-up-and-play racer, GRID earns its podium finish. Just don't spray champagne all over your TV when you win.

"Race Driver : GRiD" is not the perfect racing game, and long term fans will probably be upset at the move into a far more arcadey territory than the previous titles. There also is, whatever Codemasters says, a serious problem with a lack of cars. True, the 300 or so in Forza mean I'll never drive them all, but 45 is too few. A PGR-esque number of 75 would be more appropriate. But, for all that, GRiD is astonishingly beautiful, performs well, and had an excellent multiplayer mode. If you are a fan of arcade racing games (I'm looking at you PGR fans) you owe it to yourself to buy this game. Yes, it panders to Americans like GRiD, but it is also deep, long, fast, furious and seriously addictive and well thought out, and is as such, the racing game of 2008, no questions asked.

GRID may be somewhat of a shock to gamers used to Codemasters' more typically traditional take on motorsports, but once they get over any initial apprehension they'll be enjoying a very solid racer. This hybrid of sim and arcade racing may take some getting used to -- its learning curve is steeper than your average Burnout or Need for Speed -- but the time investment is worth it.

If you want a racer that lets you coast to the finish line without much of a struggle, you're better off skipping this. However, if you embrace the thrill of victory and seek just the right hybrid of technical and arcade racing, buy GRID. The presentation works moderately well, the driving is intense and tight and the numerous events, online and off, are worth your time.

As both an extension and a rewrite of the Race Driver series, Grid is certainly a successful progression of Codemasters' art. It may not feature the customisation of Forza 2, and it doesn't have the diversity of online modes found in Project Gotham Racing 4. But as an alternative to arcade racers such as Need for Speed and Juiced, Grid is an accessible and rewarding first step in what we hope will be an ongoing franchise.

Codemasters has done a fine job creating this racer. Despite an already-flooded market, Race Driver: GRID is a title that offers something for everyone. There’s smash-'em-ups, drift races, 24-hour races and simple circuit tracks. It could have done with more cars and the initial learning curve means this is no pick-up-and-play affair, but for those looking for a game with racing depth, a finely-developed career mode, great online play, excellent visuals and highly rewarding gameplay, then this is it.

Race Driver: GRID is a good game, but it’s become just like everything else. Tuners, street racing, drifting, canyon racing – sorry, but that horse has bolted Codies. That really leaves Le Mans as the only unique bullet point, and it’s not nearly enough. GRID’s super slick presentation and the flashy bells and whistles will grab your attention, but there isn’t anywhere near enough depth to hold it. You’ve changed, Race Driver. We hardly know you anymore.

So reiht sich das neue Racer Driver - Grid zwar deutlich im vorderen Drittel der bereits erhältlichen Rennspiele ein, eine noch bessere Wertung als "gut" wäre mit einem nachvollziehbaren Fahrverhalten aber durchaus drin gewesen.

And that's one of the little things that makes GRID feel hit-or-miss for racing fans. It looks great, even if nothing's under the hood, but it's still pleasurable in several ways. Think of it as a racing fling, not asking you for any long-term commitment, and letting you walk away once you're finished so you can pursue something with more depth. Still, it's fun while it lasts.

Grid hits all the basics just right and tops everything off with a shiny, grease-covered bow. With a little more fine-tuning and some added variety, the follow-up could easily be the leader of the arcade racing pack.