Race Driver: GRID
Review
The best racing sim on the DS - by a mile
by William Thompson
reviewed on NDS
On the right track
One of the great aspects of GRID is the track creator. It gives gamers the chance to build models of their favourite tracks from around the world or design their own ultimate racetrack. I haven’t gotten around to re-designing Melbourne’s Albert Park Formula One race track yet, but I’m sure I will soon. Track layouts can include the basics such as straights, curves and corners, but also include different kinds of grandstands, mountains and hills, lakes, bridges and various styles of office building configurations so that your design can incorporate street circuits. Of course, when designing tracks to gain reputations points, you are required to include certain features. You can still design the track whichever way you want, but will score less for it.
Just admiring the scenery
Although the DS has its limitations when it comes to graphical power, GRID does a great job of utilising it to the fullest. Each of the many varied vehicles can easily be differentiated from the next. The landscapes are also well rendered, each having their own distinct style. The racing tracks of Europe have that open air feel, whilst the street circuits of Japan would give headaches to the claustrophobics amongst us. Small details such as tyre smoke and debris flying after collisions just help to make the game more realistic. The camera view is set just right too, enabling the gamer full view over their vehicle and the track ahead. Also, after each event, the gamer gets to watch a replay of their performance. This certainly helps to pin-point areas of weakness (if you have any) or to show just how much better you are than the opposition.
Are you still listening?
The audio in GRID is first rate. The background tunes help to set the scene, whilst the bangs and scrapes of bumping cars really lets the gamer know that they are in the thick of the action. Engines thunder at the start line and tyres screech when the action begins and when swerving around corners. Although the sound effects don’t vary too much, they fit the overall feel of the racing game.
With the number of racing types, the number of locations, the large number of vehicles available, GRID certainly has lastability on its side. Combined with the options available in the track creator, gamers could spend a huge amount of time playing this one. If all that seems a little dull and the AI seems too easy, then gamers can attempt Multiplayer games played with nearby friends as well as the opportunity to play online competitors on Nintendo’s Wi-Fi connection.
Victory
GRID is easily the best sim-racing game on the DS. It is easy enough to get into for those used to the more arcade-type racing games, but in-depth enough for the more hardcore racers out there. True, it isn’t at the same level as its console counterparts, but this is as good as there currently is on this handheld system. The visuals and audio really help to set the racing scene, whilst the controls and handling of vehicles are superb. The multitude of racing types, tracks and vehicles will keep you playing for a long while, while the additional multiplayer aspect ups the ante in the competitiveness stakes. For race game fans, GRID is a must-have. For all other DS gamers, Race Driver GRID should seriously be on your list of games to play.
9.0
fun score
No Pros and Cons at this time
