I've long been a fan of racing games, from Test Drive and Geoff Crammonds Formula 1 all the way up to the sublime Forza 2. But lately it feels as if driving games have got into a bit of a rut. Apart from a few minor innovations, such as more accurate driving models, longer and longer car lists, sharper and cleaner graphics and smoother frame-rates, the last few years have seen little change in the basic formula that has been set ever since Grand Turismo popularised the genre again.
However, nothing has been done to improve the nagging problems that have beset the genre since GT either. Problems such as clinical but boring looks, predictable processional AI, multi-player determined by car configuration rather than skill and the pattern of progressing through the game by upgrading cars to the top of their class to easily beat the opposition, have become the norm.
GRID does not re-invent the genre but bravely tackles these issues straight on.
The graphics are not clean, but filtered through movie like post-processing effects. It looks great and I spent the 1st few races just admiring the views.
The AI is brilliant and unpredictable.... cars miss their breaking points, cause pile ups, crash into you on the inside of a turn... everything a human opponent could be expected to do. This can lead to an odd moment of frustration, but this is countered by the excellent flashback facility.
The MP is where I'm really enjoying it though... keep the races short and the damage on and let the chaos ensue. Even if you get written off by some aggressive French driver (no offence, they've just been crashing into me a lot! ) it doesn't take long for the next race to start and another attempt to get through the 1st corner unscathed.
The voting system works well and race types and tracks vary a lot. Yet again though, there is no party system. I don't understand why this isn't standard. Its annoying trying to get a few people into the same room.
Rashers
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