I was so hyped for this sequel... I really was... but after playing it I felt that this game wasn't an step forward. The first Grid tittle brought so many good and respected thing's into the racing genre that made it special and an instant classic. Grid 2 forgot everything that it's predecessor did and failed to realize that sequel's are made to improve.
If you want to know more about Race Driver Grid, check out my review in here.
Story:
Believe it or not, Grid 2 has an actual Story surrounding fame and YouTube views. Every race counts and if you do your best you get rewarded with views, and then you rise your fame and then you get some challenges to win cars and... No.I see that they were really trying, but the ending result is not that good and it was an mistake... where is the challenge of earning money in the season to get the cars you like? Grid 2 takes away the freedom of choice with this leveling up design... you get what the game want's you to get, nothing more. The story is bland and not very original, some character's end up being annoying after some hour's in the game, the pacing feel's a bit forced and fast...
I was actually not expecting an story, I was expecting an career mode that made the player feel it's own progression without any type of limitations, just like the first Grid.
But the Story hit's some positive point's, the fame system actually make's the player feel good and help's building up an great atmosphere, there is an great list of cars but it is to bad that the rest of the story design fail's on realizing how promising this system could had been with a lot more freedom and an decent currency system.
Positive:
- Good Atmosphere;
- The fame system seems to be promising;
- A long and great list of cars;
Negative:
- No freedom of choice;
- No challenge on earning the cars;
- The Story is bland and a bit forced but I give some respect to the team for at least trying to bring something new;
Gameplay:
Unfortunately, this is another step back from it's predecessor. The car's have an strange feeling surrounding them, the handling, the weight and the grip from each cars is strange and feel's wrong. I just don't know, something here is out of place, every car feel's weak and strangely unsafe, when I am driving an car on this game it feels that there is no connection between the wheel's and the road, it's like driving above the water... the physics feel wrong and inaccurate, the hit detection is a bit broken (since the A.I car's take way more damage than mine and tend to spin less on impact) and there is no cockpit view... Codemaster's did forget what made the original Race Driver: Grid so good, it's sad but they didn't took the opportunity to mix Arcade with Simulation, they just made an arcade game with the mind of an simulator and in the end they forgot to do the right mix...
But Grid 2 still does some things good, the controls are more tight and responsive, the replay system is back and better, each track offer's an different challenge and the A.I is Amazing, and I really mean it. It's challenging, mad, furious, consistent and responsive. This A.I really brings some light into the weak point's of the gameplay, this A.I is really good and trust me, they make an great challenge in every race.
Another thing that makes Grid two win some point's is the game modes, specially the "Live Routes". This mode is actually very entertaining and satisfying until it start's getting repetitive. The mode is simple, the track changes randomly it's direction's while the driver's are battling in an elimination match. This mode is fun and it shows a lot of promise.
Positive:
- Tight and responsive control's;
- Better and newer Replay System;
- Amazing and challenging A.I;
- Great game modes, including the brand new "Live Routes";
Negative:
- The handling, grip and weight for each car feel's strange;
- Unfair physics;
- The hit detection is a bit broken;
- Limited camera options;
Graphics and Audio Design:
Grid 2 graphics are incredible, the car's look good and detailed, the environment's have a lot of diversity and are filled with detail but every track has an amazing atmosphere, but this game still looks a bit generic... Race Driver: Grid showed an dark perspective of racing that other game's didn't had, Grid 2 kinda feel's more generic. The Sound Design is great, the car's have some great sound's that make them feel more real and the soundtrack is solid, with some great song's.
Positive:
- Incredible Graphics;
- The car's have a lot of detail;
- The environment's are rich and detailed, with an great atmosphere;
- Overall good soundtrack;
Negative:
- The graphics are too much clean and don't show the darkness that the predecessor's established;
- The Graphics also feel a bit generic;
Grid 2 is a good game overall but it does not live to the legacy of it's predecessor, it feel's that Codemaster's was not aiming to high with the game and it ended up being an disappointment. But don't misjudge this review, Grid 2 show's a lot of promise and potential and I personally think the franchise must live and it totally deserve's an sequel.
I didn't speak too much about the multiplayer and I apologize for that, but I can't talk too much about it, it's fun and simple but it suffer's from gameplay problems that I already addressed before.
Story: 6 out of 10
Gameplay: 6 out of 10
Graphics and Audio Design: 9 out of 10
Final Score: 7 out of 10