GRID (2019)

[Geisterfaust]

 

GRID

Official description:

GRID is a racing experience like no other. Offering unrivalled moment-to-moment racing, GRID returns with an all-new experience where every race is the chance to choose your own path, create your own story and conquer the world of motorsport.

 

Available since October 08 for early access, global price is 60 USD, regional prices may vary.

Tracks:

Spoiler

1. Barcelona
2. Brands Hatch
3. Crescent Valley
4. Havana
5. Indianapolis
6. Okutama GP
7. Okutama Sprint
8. San Francisco
9. Sepang
10. Shanghai
11. Silverstone
12. Sydney Motorsport Park
13. Zhejiang Circuit

 

Cars

Spoiler

 

Touring

• Alfa Romeo 155 TS – Touring
• Audi RS 3 LMS – Touring
• BMW M3 Touring Car – Touring
• BMW M1 Turbo Group 5 – Touring
• Chevrolet Camaro Super Tourer – Touring
• Ferrari 512 BB LM – Touring
• Ford Capri Turbo Group 5 – Touring
• Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth – Touring
• Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth Group A – Touring
• Ford Focus TC-2 – Touring
• Holden ZB Commodore Supercar – Touring
• Nissan Skyline GT-R Group A (R32) – Touring
• Porsche 935/78 Group 5 “Moby Dick” – Touring
• Volvo 850 Estate Touring Car – Touring
• Subaru WRX STI TC-2 – Touring
• Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR – Touring

GT

• Aston Martin Vantage GTE – GT
• Aston Martin Vantage GT4 – GT
• Alpine A110 1800 Group 4 – GT
• Chevrolet Corvette C7.R – GT
• Chevrolet Camaro GT4.R – GT
• Ferrari 330 P4 – GT
• Ferrari 365 GTB4 Competizione – GT
• Ferrari F430 Challenge – GT
• Ferrari 488 GTE – GT
• Ford GT GTE – GT
• Ford GT40 – GT
• Ford Mustang GT4 – GT
• Lancia Stratos – GT
• Nissan 350Z (Z33) Gr.2 – GT
• Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 3.0 – GT
• Porsche 911 GT4 (997) – GT
• Porsche 911 RSR – GT
• SRT Viper GTS-R – GT

Tuner

• Audi R8 1:1 – Tuner
• Datsun 240Z (S30) Modified – Tuner
• Mini Miglia Challenge – Tuner
• Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX Time Attack – Tuner
• Nissan 300ZX (Z32) Modified – Tuner
• MCA Hammerhead Nissan Silvia (S13) – Tuner
• Nissan Silvia Time Attack Spec (S15) – Tuner
• Nissan Skyline 2000GT-R (KPGC10) Modified – Tuner
• SUBARU BRZ Modified – Tuner
• Mazda RX-7 Panspeed – Tuner
• Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI Time Attack – Tuner
• Subaru Impreza WRX – Tuner
• Auto Gallery Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32) – Tuner

Stock

• Chevrolet Camaro SSX Concept – Stock
• Chevrolet Camaro Z28 Modified – Stock
• Dodge Challenger SRT Modified – Stock
• Dumont Type 37 (fictional) – Stock
• Ford Mustang Mach 1 Modified – Stock
• Jupiter Eagleray Mk5 (fictional) – Stock
• Jupiter San Marino Oval Stock (fictional) – Stock
• Pontiac Firebird Modified – Stock

 

Prototype

• McLaren M8D – Prototype
• Porsche 917/30 – Prototype

Open-wheel

• JEDI F1000 – SPEC – Open-Wheel
• Renault R26 – Open-Wheel

 

 

 

Edited October 8, 2019 by Geisterfaust

[Geisterfaust]

I am playing this thing now trying to understand what it is. While doing that, I can clearly start from what it is not: it is not a competitor for Forza/ GT pair and definitely not a competitor for Asseto Corsa (Competizione), Project Cars and other simulator-oriented games. It is an arcade racer, no doubts about it. It looks okay and sounds decent, it offers qualifying laps if you do not want to bother with ramming AI (something Forza lacks for years, apart from some small number of events). While selecting “ultra” preset, you can enjoy the visuals a lot and it runs very good even from the HDD, tracks are loading fast and there is no stuttering. I played this thing on the PC of my wife (4790k @4.5 GHz, 16GB 2133 MHz, Asus Strix 1080 Ti) and it was smooth on the highest preset, so I suppose it’s optimized enough. Will monitor it with MSI Afterburner, since my wife somehow removed the thing and report around the load later.

 

With hardware-related issues set aside, let’s talk driving, since it is a driving game after all. It’s a Codemasters product, but there is no pedigree in handling: input feels too filtered, GT cars with no ABS, STC and TCS are quite easy to control from the start and handbrake is basically a tool to safely kill the speed while you have underestimated the entrance speed. Although it does support Rumble feedback for Xbox one controller, it feels like a keyboard material. In fact, I have successfully completed three invitational classic Mini races with a keyboard. Selection of cars is decent, GT is the most populated class with 18 cars and average cars number per class is around 10, which in some cases includes classics like Ferrari 330 P4 and Ford GT 40. More cars are coming as DLC with some system that allows supposedly rent them without purchasing the DLC, but I am not sure about how it will work. Open wheel and prototype classes are the less populated with five cars in total, if I am correct. Overall, car selection in my opinion is borderline: this variety was acceptable in 2008, but it is 2019. Yes, there are old Skylines, but there is no modern GT-R (R34 is as high as you can get). No Toyota/ Lexus either, but that is another story and it is not Grid fault. Car details are very high: in-car rear cameras are working, most of the gauges are operational although I am yet to check if we can see the current time on the dashboards. I have not crashed once and cannot yet speak of damage system.

 

I will test the tracks later, since I have only completed only three or four of them and in short configurations, but they do look good. All the details are here and textures are on par with the best competitors on the market. I am especially interested in long time attack tracks and will post details later. What I know is that there is no drifting mode in the game, like it used to be.

 

Trying to summarize, I cannot really understand why this thing exists, because the only niche for this game in on PS4 where GT Sport is somehow not appealing to you and there’s a shortage of quality modern arcade racers with real tracks. The thing is that you can easily do a GRID from Forza Motorsport, but you cannot do the reverse. With a 40 USD starting price, Forza 7 basic looks like a much better deal, not to mention more expensive Deluxe edition. GT Sport costs 1/3 of the Grid asking price.  

 

TL;DR: Decent modern arcade racer with real tracks, that lacks in car selection, but too unreasonably priced. $30 looks like a decent price and if you want to test it, wait for sales. There is absolutely no reason to pay $60.

 

Edited October 8, 2019 by Geisterfaust

[Geisterfaust]

I wanted to post screenshots but while doing that I found the game so bad, that I have removed it: handling model is too annoying. The car is floating, toque distribution is weird and there's something wrong with the default axis sensitivity settings, or at least it feels like it. In short, I don't feel that I'm controlling a car at all and not because I need to fight with controls or overcorrect, but because everything is too numb: understeer, understeer, understeer, oversteer and all with low sensitivity on the steering. Should have tried a pirated version, that's another refund for me.

Edited October 8, 2019 by Geisterfaust

[Mister Pink]

Looks visually pleasing but since it's an arcade-style, I think Forza has it covered with Horizon or even Motorsport. Forza really found a middle ground for players that just want a bit more control and challenge but not quite arcade but definitely not simulation. It's the reason why I think Need For Speed will keep failing. Arcade racers are dead. They're too behind. I think most gamers are more adept now and can use the a bit more of a challenge. I think Forza know this. Most people that enjoy racing games will have owned a copy of Forza or GT at some stage in their lives. Going back to arcade racers is a devolution. 

 

I'm not sure who arcade racers are aimed at any more. I don't see why anyone that might by Grid or something similar wont just go for GT Sport or Forza Horizon. They are the new standard in racing. Arcade racers made sense when, you know arcades still existed and you bump in to the side and keep moving. But most people have evolved beyond that, I think. Maybe a few car race lovers will buy it, some people might enjoy it as an entry in to the racing world. Again, Horizon keeps it's barrier really low for newbies in to the racing world too. 

[Geisterfaust]

5 hours ago, Mister Pink said:

I'm not sure who arcade racers are aimed at any more. I don't see why anyone that might by Grid or something similar wont just go for GT Sport or Forza Horizon. They are the new standard in racing. Arcade racers made sense when, you know arcades still existed and you bump in to the side and keep moving. But most people have evolved beyond that, I think. Maybe a few car race lovers will buy it, some people might enjoy it as an entry in to the racing world. Again, Horizon keeps it's barrier really low for newbies in to the racing world too. 

Thing is, it's not a proper arcade racer either. With all assists off cars are acting weird in a floaty manner just until the unpredictable oversteer on RWD. Something like going on a cold slicks when steering with ropes attached to the steering wheel. You're not in control, at least it feels like that. With all assists on you're not oversteering, but freely floating in a dedicated corridor of space with minor corrections.

 

5 hours ago, Mister Pink said:

Arcade racers are dead. They're too behind. I think most gamers are more adept now and can use the a bit more of a challenge. I think Forza know this. Most people that enjoy racing games will have owned a copy of Forza or GT at some stage in their lives. Going back to arcade racers is a devolution

This. There's no point going arcade unless it's over the top arcade like Burnout, but I think even in this case the ship has sailed. Well said.

 

I've heard that it is better with wheel, but it's just bloody ridiculous: with a wheel I'm going to play either AC Competizione or Project Cars 2. Both are often discounted.

 

What this game lacks in comparison with the 11 year old original: crew management, drifting, own garage. 

 

Here's what's wrong with the handling, and the guy who's driving is actually a little bit known in online drifting community:

 

Edited October 9, 2019 by Geisterfaust

[Mister Pink]

19 hours ago, Geisterfaust said:

Thing is, it's not a proper arcade racer either. With all assists off cars are acting weird in a floaty manner just until the unpredictable oversteer on RWD. Something like going on a cold slicks when steering with ropes attached to the steering wheel. You're not in control, at least it feels like that. With all assists on you're not oversteering, but freely floating in a dedicated corridor of space with minor corrections.

 

Yeah that doesn't sound great at all. Sounds really strange actually.

 

And yeah, I've watched loads of The Slap Trains's videos. I was all ready going to buy Horizon but it was his videos, buzzing around with friends and drifting in Horizon 2 that made me buy it. I can appreciate that if he's finding trouble with drifting, I might actually be the game.  

19 hours ago, Geisterfaust said:

I've heard that it is better with wheel, but it's just bloody ridiculous: with a wheel I'm going to play either AC Competizione or Project Cars 2. Both are often discounted.

Absolutely. I mean, you'd expect it to be better with a wheel, as with most modern racers in todays age, unless it's something like Burnout and I'd imagine using a wheel would be challenging and frustrating at best. 

[Standard Deluxe 59]

On 10/9/2019 at 5:01 AM, Mister Pink said:

I'm not sure who arcade racers are aimed at any more. I don't see why anyone that might by Grid or something similar wont just go for GT Sport or Forza Horizon. They are the new standard in racing. Arcade racers made sense when, you know arcades still existed and you bump in to the side and keep moving. But most people have evolved beyond that, I think.

I think there still remains a market for arcade racer style games. I like having more casual racing games rather than the near simulator games like Gran Turismo. Forza I couldn't play even if I wanted to since I don't use an x box nor will my computer adequately run the game. 

 

So I would say that these kind of games are aimed at people who play games for leisure and want a quick plug and play experience than one that requires a little more dedication. Someone like me who doesn't really have the time or interest in dedicating time another game would be the market for a game like this. Whether that market is profitable or not is another story that I don't think has been explored enough to really determine. But I don't follow the gaming industry like I do the auto and energy industries.

[Cosmic Gypsy]

I saw a trailer for this, i swear it tried bragging about aggressive AI racing aggressively...

 

Just in case any one is actually looking for that kind of racing game, go get Wreckfest, it'll destroy this in terms of aggression.

 

This does look like an alright game though. Not saying it looks sh*t or anything, but Wreckfest is better.

[Mister Pink]

9 hours ago, Standard Deluxe 59 said:

I think there still remains a market for arcade racer style games. I like having more casual racing games rather than the near simulator games like Gran Turismo. Forza I couldn't play even if I wanted to since I don't use an x box nor will my computer adequately run the game. 

 

So I would say that these kind of games are aimed at people who play games for leisure and want a quick plug and play experience than one that requires a little more dedication. Someone like me who doesn't really have the time or interest in dedicating time another game would be the market for a game like this. Whether that market is profitable or not is another story that I don't think has been explored enough to really determine. But I don't follow the gaming industry like I do the auto and energy industries.

I do appreciate your points.  But for argument's sake, you put yourself in a very niche market: (PS4/console-only, wants quick plug and play, still a bit resistant to a little more dedication)

 

Using your case, from a developer's perspective, I would imagine, that's a tight market. OK, PS4 user base is huge but there is also The Crew, Project Cars, Need For Speed. The likes of Grid and Need for Speed don't seem to offer anything new or innovative, unlike The Crew, which has it's own unique take by having it large-scale open-world, free-roam play and now with planes and boats - and that game struggles too. 

 

My earlier point is that those that may have been resistant to a little more dedication are gamers now in their 30's, playing games for 25+ years. The average age of a gamer is 31 (bear in mind that might include mobile gamers) but lets say console gamer's average age is close to 31, these are people with disposable incomes. They  are buying these games. And I remember playing Ridge Racer on PS1 or PS2 back in the day, I just can't imagine myself still playing that style now in to the 30's. But these people have been playing racers for years - a little more depth and increase in the challenge would be expected.

 

I think collectively, on average we've all up-skilled in videogames, even the causal player. And Forza tapped in to that market. They knew people have been playing racers for years, it wouldn't bee too much of a stretch to make a blended arcade/simulation game and take "the casuals" on the next progressive step and not have the barrier to entry too high. Horizon series is a very enriching experience that's just a level above arcade but with some of the depth of a sim. It's a natural progression, moving with the times, moving the the collective skill of the casual gamer and bringing gaming forward. 

 

Arcade racers to me are stagnant. Unless they're doing something innovative with the world/environment like The Crew, it's more tracks, cars, better graphics, but same gameplay as a game or level of skills required as a game from 20 years ago. 

 

Having said all that, I'm not saying there isn't good people like yourself interested in a arcade racer. Heck, I even got the last Need For Speed and enjoyed it for bit.  But if I was a developer, and I'm not, I would be focusing making a game that challenges the casual player and inspires them to move towards simulation which is what Forza offers. So you can use all the assists and it's arcade but as you start taking off the assists you move closer to sim. It's a nice progression and have to go backwards from. 

 

Edit: Super GT, the YouTuber who exclusively races sim games reviewed the game, however, it's a sponsored review from Codemasters. Of course, I think he's being generous but also makes some good points. 

 

 

Edited October 11, 2019 by Mister Pink

[Geisterfaust]

@Mister Pink, all good points here. But I would like to add that this Grid lacks what was in the original version: team management, sponsor contract and depth in career, drifting.

 

11 hours ago, Standard Deluxe 59 said:

So I would say that these kind of games are aimed at people who play games for leisure and want a quick plug and play experience than one that requires a little more dedication. Someone like me who doesn't really have the time or interest in dedicating time another game would be the market for a game like this. Whether that market is profitable or not is another story that I don't think has been explored enough to really determine. But I don't follow the gaming industry like I do the auto and energy industries.

You will regret buying it, I can guarantee you. It's uncompetitive at this price, too thin on the content and it's not a proper arcade. Hell, AC Competizione plays better on the controller than this thing. It's only good for wheel and you need to be really perverted to play a game like this with a wheel. Grid 2019 should not have been rebooted in this form. The game is unfinished and improperly balanced to be an arcade racer.

[Mister Pink]

1 minute ago, Geisterfaust said:

But I would like to add that this Grid lacks what was in the original version: team management, sponsor contract and depth in career, drifting.

Didn't play the first one. They all sound like great features. Those features could have been the difference/unique selling point in the arcade racer genre. 

[Geisterfaust]

Just now, Mister Pink said:

Didn't play the first one. They all sound like great features. Those features could have been the difference/unique selling point in the arcade racer genre. 

 

And here is the career video:

 

[Standard Deluxe 59]

9 hours ago, Mister Pink said:

I do appreciate your points.  But for argument's sake, you put yourself in a very niche market: (PS4/console-only, wants quick plug and play, still a bit resistant to a little more dedication)

The main reason why I like the quick easy to pick up and play games is because I don't have the kind of time I used to in order to really get into a game. I don't doubt that it's a shrinking market though especially seeing what kind of games seem to dominate the market today.

9 hours ago, Mister Pink said:

Using your case, from a developer's perspective, I would imagine, that's a tight market. OK, PS4 user base is huge but there is also The Crew, Project Cars, Need For Speed. The likes of Grid and Need for Speed don't seem to offer anything new or innovative, unlike The Crew, which has it's own unique take by having it large-scale open-world, free-roam play and now with planes and boats - and that game struggles too. 

I tried the Crew last year when it was heavily discounted and it didn't draw my attention for longer than a couple evenings. I played long enough to get the money to buy the Chrysler 300 And that was it. What lost me was the arbitrary upgrade system, rather than going to the garage and picking the upgrades they were seemingly automatically put on the car though I could be remembering wrong. I did like the large map though.

Need for Speed has been falling in quality since the 2010 reboot of Hot Pursuit, every game they've released since then seemed to fall short.

10 hours ago, Mister Pink said:

I think collectively, on average we've all up-skilled in videogames, even the causal player. And Forza tapped in to that market. They knew people have been playing racers for years, it wouldn't bee too much of a stretch to make a blended arcade/simulation game and take "the casuals" on the next progressive step and not have the barrier to entry too high. Horizon series is a very enriching experience that's just a level above arcade but with some of the depth of a sim. It's a natural progression, moving with the times, moving the the collective skill of the casual gamer and bringing gaming forward.

Forza has always interested me but being an x box and pc exclusive always kept me from playing. I can't justify buying another console or high end computer solely to play one game. I can see your point about having games that are somewhere in the middle between arcade and simulator because those likely have a broader market.

7 hours ago, Geisterfaust said:

@Mister Pink, all good points here. But I would like to add that this Grid lacks what was in the original version: team management, sponsor contract and depth in career, drifting.

 

You will regret buying it, I can guarantee you. It's uncompetitive at this price, too thin on the content and it's not a proper arcade. Hell, AC Competizione plays better on the controller than this thing. It's only good for wheel and you need to be really perverted to play a game like this with a wheel. Grid 2019 should not have been rebooted in this form. The game is unfinished and improperly balanced to be an arcade racer.

Yeah I don't think I would buy it at full price. Thanks for the heads up though. I wish there was a way to rent a game first like before when one could go to Blockbuster or Hollywood Video and try it for five days. I guess there's those Red Box things but one day doesn't seem to be enough time to make a proper judgement on whether something is good or not. 

[Mister Pink]

29 minutes ago, Standard Deluxe 59 said:

2010 reboot of Hot Pursuit, every game they've released since then seemed to fall short.

Loved that game. I got all gold in every race. Online was so much fun too. I miss criterion. 

 

Pity you didn't get in to The Crew. It took me a while to break in to it. Give it another chance, I'd say. I felt like that at first. Went back to it and really enjoyed it. 

[Geisterfaust]

1 hour ago, Standard Deluxe 59 said:

Yeah I don't think I would buy it at full price. Thanks for the heads up though. I wish there was a way to rent a game first like before when one could go to Blockbuster or Hollywood Video and try it for five days. I guess there's those Red Box things but one day doesn't seem to be enough time to make a proper judgement on whether something is good or not. 

You can refund games on Steam, can't say anything about consoles since I'm out of the console game since 2016 or so. There should be a way, at least I hope.

[Mister Pink]

13 hours ago, Geisterfaust said:

You can refund games on Steam, can't say anything about consoles since I'm out of the console game since 2016 or so. There should be a way, at least I hope.

Yeah, I got a couple of refunds on Xbox Store before.

[Geisterfaust]

@Mister Pink I was thinking a lot about what you have said about arcade racers being obsolete and you're right. I'm almost 31, so I've seen some action before and today I was visiting one of my local mates who's heavily into sim racing. He was finishing playing F1 2018 and I decided to watch a bit. I've said that I like the game, but don't want another wheel game since I'm playing WRC 8 and Dirt Rally 2.0 with the wheel now. To my surprise, he said that I'm going to be okay with the controller and offered me to play a session with 40% difficulty with ABS and medium traction control. I was sceptical, but why the hell not? So, around one hour later I have put down the controller and decided that I'm buying either F1 2018 discounted or getting F1 2019 at full price. At 40% difficulty I was able to secure the podium easily, while beating team goals during practice. On the controller, on the first run. There's rumble feedback properly implemented on both triggers and you can feel the different car setups. I was blown away how good the game is. Now I'm still deciding should I go 18 or 19, but I'm absolutely sure that arcade racing era is dead. I'm not a fan of F1 IRL, but in comparison with GRID it feels light ages ahead: team, R&D, radio, contracts, practice and goals... And everything is accessible to casual player with a few tweaks!

[Static]

"arcade racers are obsolete" 

So everyone is just gonna ignore the fact Mario Kart outsells every sim racing title?

[Nico]

The first GRID was awesome ten years ago. The later ones, not so much.

 

Dunno what to think about this. IMO, Codemasters' strong suit right now is the DiRT Rally series, the latest game is pretty good aside from a few bugs.

[Geisterfaust]

9 hours ago, Nico said:

The first GRID was awesome ten years ago. The later ones, not so much.

 

Dunno what to think about this. IMO, Codemasters' strong suit right now is the DiRT Rally series, the latest game is pretty good aside from a few bugs.

F1 is absolutely amazing too. If you like rally, check out WRC 8, it's a very decent title now and even force feedback is better than in Dirt. I was blown away how good this thing was for the price. 

[Nico]

To be fair I value DR2's content more. I checked WRC8 and it doesn't seem to have a lot of variety in cars, it mostly focuses on the modern cars which I don't really find interesting. DR2 has 50+ rally cars (counting the DLC) and I mostly play with RWD classics. And soon with the addition of Finland it's going to have 12 rally locations.

[Geisterfaust]

55 minutes ago, Nico said:

To be fair I value DR2's content more. I checked WRC8 and it doesn't seem to have a lot of variety in cars, it mostly focuses on the modern cars which I don't really find interesting. DR2 has 50+ rally cars (counting the DLC) and I mostly play with RWD classics. And soon with the addition of Finland it's going to have 12 rally locations.

Well, value is relative thing, to be honest. Due to the regional pricing in Epic store I was able to purchase this thing for 18 USD legally. Under no circumstances I can get DR 2.0 with full DLC pack for that price and that changes my perception of value. WRC 8 offers spectacular tracks and worth getting for the tracks alone, especially Turkey. As a seasoned DR player, I need to admit that locations in WRC are just better: more interesting, more spectacular (apart from probably Monte Carlo, where it's a draw), sometimes longer and offer dynamic change of weather. If you can try WRC, try it and refund it or try it another way, that's a very solid game and for me it's a valuable addition to DR 2.0. Locations are: Monte Carlo, Sweden, Corsica, Turkey, Mexico, Spain, Wales, Australia, Germany, Finland, Argentina, Chile, Portugal, Italy. 

Edited October 13, 2019 by Geisterfaust

[DEALUX]

There's a new one now.