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Race Driver: Grid

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Nintendo DS
Race Driver: GRID
Developer(s)Codemasters
Firebrand Games (Nintendo DS)
Publisher(s)Codemasters
EngineEgo (based on Neon engine)
Octane Engine (Nintendo DS)
Platform(s)PlayStation 3, Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Single-player, Multiplayer

Race Driver: GRID (known as GRID in North America) is the latest addition to the TOCA Touring Car series by Codemasters, published and developed by the same company. It was announced on April 19 2007, and is available for the PlayStation 3 , Xbox 360,Nintendo DS and PC. The game was released on May 30, 2008 in Europe, June 3, 2008 in North America, and in Australia on June 12 2008.[1] Despite its release date, as of June 5, 2008, GRID is available in Australia on the Steam digital distribution service.

Gameplay

This game is made by Codemasters, the creators of the TOCA/Race Driver series. GRID is a hybrid between arcade and simulator of mainly tarmac racing that consists of 43 cars. The game features an instant replay feature which allows the player to rewind time by up to 10 seconds. While the instant replay can be used as many times as the player wants, the Flashback feature can only be used a limited number of times, determined by the difficulty setting. A feature similar to what was introduced in Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.

There are several types of competitions for different cars: GT races, open wheel races, demolition derbies, etc. There are also several tracks from different countries, including Japan, United States and European tracks such as Le Mans and Spa Francorchamps. A track through the streets of Milan is also available.

Technology

Race Driver: GRID uses Codemasters' own Ego engine, an evolved version of the Neon engine already used in their previous release Colin McRae DIRT. The damage code has been completely rewritten to allow for persistent damage environments.[6]

Portable version

Firebrand Games, the developers of Race Driver: Create and Race, are developing the game for the Nintendo DS. The game will have 20 circuits, with 25 cars. The game will also included a "Track Design" utility from Create and Race which will allow players to create their own custom circuits and side-road billboards. The portable version will launch in early August.[7]

Demo

On May 8th, 2008, a demo was released on the PlayStation Store and Xbox Live Marketplace. The following day, a PC version was released (which uses Securom for DRM).[8] The demo lets players try two game modes: racing and drifting.

The Demo also features a competition (challenge) to win a BMW 3 series for European based gamers[9] and a chance to win a Ford Mustang for U.S. based players.[10] The competitions for Europeans ended on May 31 at midnight, BST, and for U.S. gamers on May 25, 2008 midnight, ET.

The demo also has the two competition tracks available for an online racing experience; it allows up to 12 players to compete online.

The demo has been downloaded by over one million people on the three platforms it is available for.[citation needed]

PC system requirements

Race Driver: GRID System Requirements

Minimum Specifications

  • Windows XP/Vista. (If running Windows Vista, SP1 is recommended)
  • DirectX 9.0c
  • Pentium 4 @ 3.0GHz or Athlon 64 3000+
  • 1GB RAM.
  • Graphics Card: GeForce 6800 / Radeon X1300 or above
  • DirectX Compatible Sound Card
  • Dual Layer Compatible DVD-ROM Drive
  • 12.5 GB Hard Drive Space

Recommended Specifications

  • Windows XP/Vista. (If running Windows Vista, SP1 is recommended)
  • DirectX 9.0c
  • Intel Core 2 Duo @ 2.66Ghz or Athlon X2 3800+
  • 2GB RAM.
  • Graphics Card: GeForce 8800 or Radeon HD 3800 series
  • Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Sound Card.
  • Dual Layer Compatible DVD-ROM Drive
  • 12.5 GB Hard Drive Space

Supported Graphics Cards

ATI Radeon X1300, X1600, X1800, X1900, X1950, HD2600, HD2900, HD3850, HD3870

NVIDIA Geforce 6800, 7100, 7300, 7600, 7800, 7900, 7950, 8600, 8800, 9800

Laptop versions of these cards may work but are not supported[11]

Reception

The game has received mainly positive reviews.

Official Xbox Magazine awarded Race Driver: Grid a 9.0 out of 10, proclaiming, "This game isn’t about simulating racing; it’s about creating fun out of it. And it succeeds beautifully, one thrilling white knuckle at a time," with the only caveat being its relatively meager online offering.[12]

X-Play has given Grid a 5 out of 5, stating that the "Flashback feature is superb" and that the "Damage model is excellent".[13]

Game Revolution gave Race Driver: Grid a B out of A+, citing "Fantastic damage modeling" and "Flashbacks are a lifesaver" ". . .or an annoying crutch".[14]

IGN.com gave Race Driver: Grid an 8.7 out of 10. Playstation Official Magazine UK and VideoGamer.com both gave Grid a 9 out of 10, as did Edge and Eurogamer.

Pcformat gave Race Driver: Grid 90%.

Gamespot gave Race Driver: Grid 8.0/10.

Game Informer gave Race Driver: Grid a 9.0 out of 10 for the main review and 9.25 as the second opinion.

PC Gamer UK gave Race Driver: Grid a score of 88%, saying that the racer was made of style and substance.

North American publication Nintendo Power gave the Nintendo DS version a score of 8.5 out of 10. Praise was delivered to the game's robust car and course customization features, superb graphics by DS standards, and praised the multiplayer modes. Some mild criticism was delivered towards the game's single player mode for having flimsy car upgrading and lack of knowing what rewards you get before entering a race, but said that the good aspects far outweigh the bad.

References

  1. ^ a b GRID for PC - GRID PC Game - GRID Computer Game
  2. ^ IGN: Grid
  3. ^ GRID for DS - GRID DS Game - GRID DS Video Game
  4. ^ IGN: Grid
  5. ^ Race Driver GRID >> Nintendo DS
  6. ^ "GRID Preview". IGN. 2007-03-03. Retrieved 2007-03-21. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ "Firebrand's Games in Deveolpment".
  8. ^ "Race Driver: GRID PC Demo Released". ShackNews.
  9. ^ "European time trial challenge scoreboard".
  10. ^ "U.S>time trial challenge scoreboard".
  11. ^ Race Driver: GRID Demo - FileFront.com
  12. ^ Paul Curthoys (2008-05-23). "OXM Grid review". OXM.
  13. ^ Greg Bemis (2008-06-11). "X-Play Grid Review". X-Play.
  14. ^ Jesse Costantino (2008-06-16). "Game Revolution Grid Review". Game Revolution.
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