14 DAY TRIAL // Grid 2 is finally official, as developer Codemasters has just made the announcement and posted both a video and quite a few details about its impressive racing game, which is the sequel to Grid 1 (or Race Driver: Grid, as it was known in certain territories).
The original Grid impressed many racing game fans with all sorts of great features, from polished visuals, to realistic gameplay, top notch damage mechanics and the first implementation of a rewind system.
Now, with Grid 2, Codemasters is trying to deliver a full-fledged sequel that takes everything up a notch by featuring all sorts of competitions from all over the world.
“Grid’s back and we’re going to make street, track and road racing exciting again,” said Clive Moody, executive producer. “The core design philosophy for Grid 2 is that we treat the race as a character, not a consequence of simply putting cars on tracks. Everything that goes into the game impacts on that second-to-second, in the moment, blockbuster drama – the feel and personality of the race.”
“We’re pushing boundaries once again with what can be accomplished in the genre via new tools, technology and innovations. In single-player, split-screen and online, the next-generation of the EGO Game Technology Platform will power graphics, AI, handling and damage advancements that will immerse players in the racing experience like never before. Like its predecessor, GRID 2 will put the sheer thrill and adrenaline rush of the race at the heart of the experience. It’s what we call Total Race Day Immersion.”
The career mode present in Grid 2 takes players all around the world, from America, to Europe or Asia and features circuits from Paris, to Abu Dhabi, Miami, Los Angeles, or Chicago.
“In an expansive career mode, players will experience aggressive wheel-to-wheel racing against advanced AI where each spectacular race unfolds with cinematic immersion. Building on the handling model from GRID, the new TrueFeel Handling System will use real physics to hit a sweetspot between accessibility and simulation and deliver handling that is approachable yet challenging to master.”
Like this year’s Dirt Showdown, Grid 2 will have integrated support for Codemasters’ special RaceNet online service, through which players can track their performances and take part in special community events.
Grid 2 is set to appear in 2013 for the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 platforms. Until then, check out the first trailer below.
