GRID 2

GRID 2 (PS3 Version)

Five years ago, the British-based Codemasters launched GRID (formally known as Race Driver Grid) and this game set the standards on racing simulation genre. Now, this BAFTA-award winning multi-million selling video game gets a sequel and it promises to be more over-the-top than the previous installment but sadly though, it lacks something that it rival racing games had.

The biggest change first was the loss of the "cockpit view" because research shows that most players of the previous game prefer racing in driver view because it's much more precise than cockpit view. Who wouldn't but sometimes, they just switch to the car's view...blah blah...but never mind about that. The loss of the cockpit view is just the least of our problems we're facing in this new chapter of Race Driver Grid.

Welcome to the WSR, a new motorsport series which sets out to find the ultimate racer. Behind the new age racing is an investor who believes that life is a race and he intends to win but to create a new racing series, he needs a star and do you got what it takes to earn the respect from the investor? That's where you'll find out in GRID 2.

GRID 2 offers a wide selection of cars divided into different tiers, grouping together contrasting classes of cars. From muscle cars, hot hatchbacks, tuner cars, classics, open-wheelers, exotics, you name the rest. BMW E30 M3, Subaru BRZ, Ford Mustang Boss 302, Nissan R34 Skyline Nismo Z-tune, McLaren MP4-12C, Ariel Atom, Koenigsegg Agera R, Pagani Huayra, there are loads of them in Grid 2. The difference between a win and loss is all depends to the strengths and weaknesses of both man and machine. Don't forget that when you're out there...

After getting to know about the cars, you'll get to know more about different types of tracks you'll be conquering and it takes the skill of the driver to master through different corners with ease. Whether if it’s the crowd-filled city streets, real-world race tracks, and the open roads, whichever the route you'll take, it's going to be far more different what it used to be and it's up to the driver to master different corners using whichever means necessary. Overtaking, drifting, slipstream, you'll do the rest. Do whatever it takes to win the race, okay?

Also, there's this new feature that will make you notice in city racing of the game and that's the LiveRoutes. What is LiveRoutes? Some say that LiveRoutes dynamically streams in alternate parts of city tracks. When it kicks in, it selects which direction of the track should go, either straight, left, or right, depending on your driving style. For example, when you're entering a certain corner for the second time, it could be either 80mph as you approached on a tight corner or 200mph as you slingshot through the straight. LiveRoutes really add a whole new challenge in Grid 2 so watch out!

In Single Player campaign, the only way to work through the top of the WSR is to face against the finest racing clubs from the USA, Europe, and Asia. In multiplayer modes, every race matters – earn XP and cash for unlocks as you expand your garage and move through the tiers.

Also in multiplayer, you can tune your car with performance upgrades or you can even create your own paint jobs to personalize your car. Remind you of any? Oh, well, multiplayer gameplay on GRID 2 is just one of the most important aspects in gaming and oh...if you have a RaceNet account, you can track down your progress of your races, rivals and rewards. To earn followers, you have to win several races and do better in races. You can also steal followers from your rivals by racing against them. Not just that, you can gain more followers by taking part in online competitions, participating in community Global Challenges, completing RaceNet Objectives and uploading some of your GRID 2 moments to YouTube. Interesting...

So, things I can say about the new GRID 2 game; it may have a power selection of the finest cars and the finest selection of real world locations and it may have realistic racing feel but it feels a bit too soulless. It knocks me cold and there's not even a zing that interest me the most while playing GRID 2. It feels like that it's not quite ready to recommend this game to any racing fan you know because it doesn't feel a bit more exciting as the other racing games.