For me, choosing a next generation racer to add to my growing collection of PS3 titles was a tricky affair. I asked myself: what attributes make a great racing game? Jaw-dropping HD visuals perhaps, evident in Gran Turismo. Maybe it’s customisation possibilities, characteristic of the Need for Speed series or the exhilarating sensation of speed promised by Burnout Paradise. And let’s not forget the importance of an engaging online multiplayer, as seen in MotorStorm 2. If only there was a game that had it all, a game that combined beauty, personality, excitement and longevity. Enter Race Driver: GRiD.

Reminiscent of yesteryear’s TOCA series, the latest release from racing gurus Codemasters delivers a polished motoring experience that fulfils all of the above. Starting out as an ambitious novice in possession of a run-down Mustang and a make-shift garage, your aim is to drive freelance for reputable teams until you’ve made enough money to assemble, manage and represent your own. From there, it’s all about buying better-spec cars, signing lucrative sponsorship deals and hiring a competent teammate to assist you in becoming world number one.

Races take place over three very distinct geographies. Europe is home to endurance-based championships such as Touring Car, Formula 3, Prototype, and the legendary 24hr Le Mans. Japan offers a selection of Drifts, Tuner tournaments and one-on-one Pro Touge sprints, whilst America focuses on muscle car brawls, supercar circuit racing and the devastating Demolition Derby. Career progression is simple and well structured; to climb the ranks players have to earn reputation points awarded for podium finishes. Increasing your reputation unlocks new licences, which in turn grants access to new races. But with over 300 computer-controlled contenders fighting for the top spot, driven by what could be the most intelligent and unsympathetic AI ever seen in a videogame, victory won’t come easy.

Your opponents are not prone to following the racing line with the Scalectrix-esque precision we’ve grown accustomed to, so don’t be surprised if your overtaking efforts invite an intentional shunt. Attempts to slipstream are often met with a short, sharp stop, and at times you’ll wince as the car in front pulls a manoeuvre so daring it would make The Stig feel queasy. There is something frighteningly human about the way your rivals drive that really challenges you.

Then there’s impact damage to consider. As you bully your way to first place, bodywork folds, bumpers fall off, windscreens shatter, and it’s all extremely satisfying. Caution must be exercised, however, as continual knocks to the engine, steering, wheels or suspension of your vehicle will hinder its overall handling and performance. Taking corners with reckless abandon will more than likely result in a write-off.

This might be infuriating were it not for GRiD’s innovative Flashback function. Should a minor miscalculation send you careering into a guardrail, you have the option to rewind time via the instant replay facility and resume the race seconds prior to the accident, allowing you to correct your error. This makes a fantastic tool for mastering every twist and turn, but depending on your difficulty setting you can Flashback no more than 5 times per race, so use it wisely. Although, you might be happy to just watch that fabulous collision repeatedly in all its slow-mo cinematic glory.

Newcomers will become very familiar with this feature, as the game’s physics engine takes a lot of getting used to. Initially, vehicle handling feels noticeably light and somewhat ‘bouncy’. Clipping curbs and inadvertent off-roading is unforgiving at high speeds, and aggressive application of the accelerator in lower gears will spin you until you’re dizzy. The learning curve is steep but, with practice and patience, these tendencies are easily overcome and racing quickly feels responsive, genuine, and rewarding.

Whether you’re tearing up tarmac in sunny San Francisco or cruising the illuminated locale that is night time Shibuya, you cannot fail to notice GRiD’s success in capturing the atmosphere of fast-paced motorsport. Courses are littered with hundreds of animated, reactive spectators cheering as you sweep through that final S-bend pushing 140mph, and reeling with fear as you narrowly avoid melding your bonnet to another driver’s chassis. The roar of engines is interspersed with frequent communication from your teammate and spotter which works to further immerse you in the race as adrenaline floods your body, your heart pounding simultaneously with the game’s aggressive techno soundtrack.

The overall presentation is awe-inspiring, actually. Cockpit view fans in particular will be impressed by Codemasters’ attention to detail as they’re treated to an array of blinking dials, damage indicators, a real-time speedometer, and reflective rear view and side mirrors. Encountering new event types during career mode initiates sleek pop-up video tutorials that clearly outline race conditions and demonstrate the level of skill the discipline demands. Even navigating through menus is made pleasurable by your business manager’s soothing commentary as you glide through the glossy, immaculate interface. It’s the perfect balance of functionality and style.

When you finally exhaust single player, it’s time to test your skills in online multiplayer. Supporting up to 12 participants per session, there’s plenty of fluid, no-lag enjoyment to be had inflicting punishment on fellow petrol heads as you progress from rookie to legendary status. Joining lobbies is straightforward and surprisingly instant, and the addition of a voting system puts players in control of where and who they race.

Taking all into account, I’m prepared to make a bold statement here. GRiD might just be one of the best driving titles available on the market. I’m not saying it doesn’t have its weaknesses. For one, customisation – though present – is disappointingly limited. Your team’s pre-recorded dialogue does grow stale over time, and with only 47 turbo-charged chariots to unlock the car count could’ve been bigger. Nevertheless, the experience is nothing short of spectacular and more than compensates for these shortcomings – and it’s very cheap now, too. Move over Gran Turismo; there’s a new racer in town.

9/10

Filed under: Games, R, Review