Grid Xbox PC Game = Big Time Fun: Off-topic discussion forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Aug. 11, 2008 8:53 p.m. jikelly New Reader

I got Grid for my Bday and have played maybe a couple hours now. Um, it's a blast. I like the crash derby and the drifting races a lot. They are a nice change of pace. Finally a game that does realistic car damage. Sony's GT games were always missing that and an AI worth a damn that made the game challenging.

I've got GTR2 on my PC as well and I'll go ahead and say it is a more realistic racing sim. My problem with GTR2 was the difficulty was way, way, way higher than my skill set. Playing it made me feel like I'd never before even driven a real car let alone played racing sims before.

Granted GTR2 has a lot of tools that allow you to update the content, cars, music and tracks within the game. I think so far I like Grid better. Although, I'm really annoyed with the fact that my PS2/PC logiteck racing wheel doesn't seem to be supported. I got it working, but for some reason the gas is always on.

Anyway I'll keep playing and maybe I'll get to race some of you guys online sometime soon.
Aug. 11, 2008 10:12 p.m. confuZion3 HalfDork

OK. Grid looks freaking awesome! I just saw the videos on their website and they look amazing. Taking out tire walls, destroying your car (completely), and what appear to be accurate physics are all things that I look for when playing a game.

You say that GTR2 is a more realistic racing sim, but you don't seem to be implying that Grid is anything but a sim. Is it a good simulator (Gran Turismo / Forza) or is it more arcadey like Need For Speed or Midnight Club?
Aug. 12, 2008 12:46 a.m. racerfink New Reader

Grid is VERY arcadey on the driving. Most corners can be taken flat out, so it's very much like a NFS game. I can't count the number of times I've been taken out by really cheap AI tactics. After three tries at a race on Long Beach (front stretch is the only thing that resembles the actual track), since I was continually pitted by the AI when I passed them, I lowered the diff. to it's easiest setting. It's even worse now. The rubber band effect of the AI allows them to run you over after you pull away to a lead. Also, nothing like being pitted while in the overall lead at Le Mans in an LMP1 car.

Overall, a very frustrating game if you think "Rubbin' is Racin" is a very stupid line from a movie. You WILL get hit by the AI, for no other reason than you happen to be on the track with them.
Aug. 12, 2008 9:22 a.m. PubBurgers HalfDork

I bought it for the 360 when it came out and i've enjoyed it. It has great graphics and crashes and a really good sense of speed. It is on the arcadey side, maybe a little less than need for speed but still by no means a sim. That doesn't bother me though, occasionally it's fun to play an arcade style racer.
Aug. 12, 2008 10:30 a.m. jikelly New Reader

The AI cars do like to hit you and at times spin in front of you, but I don't mind that at all. Makes the game more of a challenge. Course I guess I shouldn't have called it a racing sim. the majority of the tracks are not based on real ones, but I haven't experienced the flat out cornering thing. You definatly have to slow down for those.

Anyone got a racing wheel to work with the game yet??
Aug. 12, 2008 10:51 a.m. aircooled Dork

I have played the demo on the PS3. I would only agree with the "flat out cornering" thing in the sense that I think that is partially true with all the driving assists on. I don't know if the full game allows setting up races (talking online here) that require no assists, but you certainly get you butt kicked if you try to race against people using them (maybe not with more practice?).

Seems like a reasonably entertaining game. MUCH more of an actual game then GT (that's a compliment, it actually has some game to it). I don't think I would put it down with the Need for Speed types though (which can be fun in their own way), more of a cross between the two.

One funny (sad) thing I did notice doing the demo online race (BMW's): My best tactic for the start of the race is to pull to the side of the track and let other cars go by. Once the pack gets to the first corner, runs into each other then slides off the track, I can take the now clear turn and usually be near the lead. Not sure if the full game has this "issue" but it is kind of funny.
Aug. 12, 2008 9:04 p.m. Ryan9118 HalfDork

I played Grid but I lost interest in it pretty quick. It was fun at first, but it lost it's flair after a while. The arcade physics just didn't make the racing exciting enough I don't think. If you get behind, you can just run into the other cars and get the lead back. I do think the graphics were nice though, and the crashes were pretty cool to watch. The sounds were pretty well done too. I just wish it had better physics. For consoles I'll stick with Forza 2 for now.

Slightly off-topic but if you think GTR2 was hard, you should give GTR1 a try. GTR2 is a walk in the park compared to GTR1.