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GRID 2 Essentials (PS3) Review
Released: May 2013
Developer: Codemasters
Platform: PlayStation 3
Edition: Essentials budget re-release with full original content.
🚗 Overview
GRID 2 is a high-speed racing game that blends arcade-style action with some simulative elements, and it's the direct sequel to Codemasters' 2008 hit Race Driver: GRID. The game focuses on fast-paced, exciting races across diverse tracks and environments, offering players a variety of vehicles and racing modes. It features a comprehensive career mode, stunning visuals, and thrilling, over-the-top racing action. The Essentials edition delivers the full game at a more affordable price, making it a great pick for fans of racing games.
What Works
🏎 Thrilling Racing Action
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GRID 2 is all about fast-paced racing with tight controls. The game offers an exciting sense of speed, and the cars feel responsive and thrilling to drive.
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The combination of arcade and sim elements means you get a rewarding driving experience without being bogged down by excessive simulation complexity.
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Collisions, drifts, and high-speed overtakes create an adrenaline rush, and the game is generous in making races feel fun and exciting.
🌍 Beautiful Tracks and Environments
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The game features beautifully designed tracks that range from city circuits to open highways and exotic locations like Paris, Chicago, and the Middle East.
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The environments are rich in detail, from weather effects to crowd animations, which help immerse you into the racing experience.
🚗 Car Variety and Customization
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Theres a wide variety of cars, ranging from muscle cars to supercars and touring cars, each with different driving styles and characteristics.
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The ability to customize your vehicles and choose their upgrades adds a layer of strategy, as you can tweak performance and appearance to match your racing style.
💥 Great Career Mode
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The career mode is robust, offering a sense of progression as you move through different tiers and events, earning sponsorships and unlocking new cars and tracks.
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The games World Series Racing (WSR) format presents races across different global venues, keeping the experience fresh and exciting.
🎮 Intuitive Controls
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The controls are easy to pick up, making GRID 2 accessible to both casual players and those with more experience in racing games.
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The balance of realistic handling and arcade-style fun makes it enjoyable for a wide audience, with a manageable learning curve.
What Doesnt Work
📉 Lack of Deep Car Physics
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Although the driving is fun, the game doesnt go deep into realistic car physics, which may disappoint players seeking a more authentic simulation experience.
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The handling model, while solid, can feel a bit too forgiving at times, especially when compared to hardcore racing sims.
Limited Track Variety
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While the environments look great, there arent as many unique tracks as one might expect, and some tracks feel a bit repetitive, especially in the later stages of the game.
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The lack of more varied track types (such as dirt or off-road) can make some sections feel like filler.
🚗 AI Can Be Unpredictable
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The AI in GRID 2 can be aggressive and unpredictable, leading to moments where youll feel like the game is playing against you more than with you.
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In some races, the AI drivers can be overly aggressive, making the races feel frustrating when they cause collisions or make questionable decisions on the track.
🎮 Limited Online Features
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While the game has an online multiplayer mode, the community can sometimes feel thin, especially after the games release period.
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It lacks some of the depth and polish that other racing games offer in their online modes, such as custom race types or deeper multiplayer features.
🟢 Final Verdict: 8/10
GRID 2 is an exciting, visually stunning arcade racer that offers a great balance of speed and accessibility. With a solid career mode, beautiful tracks, and thrilling racing action, it delivers on the promise of being a fun, fast-paced racing game. However, its lack of deep simulation features and occasional AI frustrations may limit its appeal for hardcore racing sim fans. For those seeking a fun, accessible racing game that focuses on excitement rather than realism, GRID 2 delivers an enjoyable experience.
Pros:
Fast-paced, thrilling racing action
Gorgeous environments and track variety
Accessible controls with a good balance of arcade and sim elements
Engaging career mode and car customization
Strong visual presentation
Cons:
Lack of deep car physics may disappoint sim fans
Some tracks can feel repetitive
AI can be frustratingly aggressive and unpredictable
Online multiplayer features are limited
Recommendation: GRID 2 is a great choice for players who want an arcade-style racing game with beautiful visuals, thrilling races, and a manageable learning curve. While it may not satisfy hardcore simulation fans, its a fun and accessible option for anyone looking to enjoy some fast-paced action behind the wheel. The Essentials version offers this experience at an affordable price, making it a solid pick for racing enthusiasts.
