GRID 2 (PS3): "Offline Follow-up & Online Impressions"

Okay. Before I get started with my online first impressions I'd like to take back some of the things I said concerning GRID 2's visuals. Sure there are some imperfections, and certain things like random tools in the garage and the people in the crowd seem to be of poor quality, but the fact is the game doesn't look all that bad. You can actually get past the crowd of people looking like PS2 characters simply, because you hardly ever see them close-up. I must also take back my comment about the graphics in the garage. Upon closer observation I found it to be mostly current-gen quality. My apologies guys for the misinterpretation, and poor observations. Like I said in my last article what I said was merely "First Impressions" though.

Online in GRID 2 is an entirely different beast in itself. You'll find that the online multiplayer is basically a standalone portion of the game. Everything you unlocked, and earned in the career mode is not made immediately available in the online multiplayer. This is a good thing to keep in mind when getting started. In multiplayer you'll find that you start off with the 3 cars that came with GRID 2's VIP PASS, and nothing else. You can customize the current cars you own to a certain extent, but most of the additional features (colors, decals, sponsors ...) must be unlocked by ranking up via the various online races. Winning a race online will not only score you in-game cash to spend on upgrading, and customizing your vehicles, but it will also allow you to rank up via a COD-like (Call of Duty) ranking system. With each completed race you will earn a certain amount of XP, and in-game currency depending on how you placed, and how well you performed.

There are different types of races found online, and different rules apply to each one. You'll find a sort of random mode called "Everything" in which the rules change with each completed circuit of races. The races in this mode could be 1-on-1, or exhibition races with numerous online players competing for the ultimate victory. Next up you have a mode simply titled "Racing", and it is basically a standard race in which multiple online players compete for that first place spot. Last, but not least is the "Alternative" mode which is for the hardcore drifting fanatics. In this mode you will be rewarded score points for your skill. This means drifting properly, and turning the sharp curves flawlessly will earn you a higher standing at the end of the race/s. All three of these race types can be found within the "Online Playlist" section of the GRID 2 online "Event Menu". Keep in mind you can join in someone else's "Custom Match" as well, but their rules apply. In the "Custom Match Event" options you'll be able to join a "Quick" race or even customize your own race for others to join in. Like a fighting game you can also search for they player's custom matches that have rulesets which you prefer. This can be done via the "Custom Join" menu option.

Now Onto the Online Gameplay ...

I know that you are probably curious to know how fun the online experience is. Unlike the hardcore, and unfair moments found within the game's main career mode you'll find that the online in GRID 2 features a decently enjoyable experience. The catch to this is that 9 times out of 10 you'll end up getting into a race with CoD (Call of Duty) trolls/brats who get their jollies off by ramming the hell out of everyone on the track. While the game does incorporate a damage inflicting system GRID 2 is still supposed to be about racing. Sadly you'll find that people overlook this though, and try to win by any means necessary including causing a massive multi-car collisions at the very start of the race. This greatly cheapens the experience, and saps the fun right out of the online experience. Last night nearly every race I got into there was some delinquent little brat was f*cking everyone up by intentionally causing wrecks at the very beginning of the race. I ended up placing last nearly every time, because of it. If there's anything that's going to ruin the longevity of GRID 2's online experience it will be the CoD assholes who migrated to the game.

Onto the Verdict ...

As of now I'm on the fence about liking, or not liking GRID 2. I still stand by what I said about the offline career mode. It is brutally unfair, and will have you cussing up a storm before you ever complete it. The online on the other hand has great potential. That potential of course is overshadowed by the online jerkwads who play the game. Features like Youtube video uploads are a nice addition to the game, but having a mandatory VIP PASS to be able to enjoy that function along with the online modes only weakens the game's likability. I also could not find a way to upload replays from the online modes. The Youtube upload function only seems to be for offline (I could be wrong though?).

Aside from the Youtube upload offerings you'll also find that codemasters has created their own game oriented website (Think "Tekken Tag Tournament 2") where you can sign up for an account to track your stats as well as enter competitions, manage friends lists, and other seemingly noteworthy things. Keep in mind signing up for the website account is mandatory if you wish to take advantage of the Youtube, Twitter, and Facebook uploads. You cannot upload Youtube replays without the website account, and signing up for said account will require some personal information from you that you may not want to give considering the overall security status of the Interweb these days.

In the end I still think this game is undeserving of a $60+ price tag. Sure it has a hell of a lot of extras, and the graphics are good for the most part, but the extras that come with GRID 2 are PSN ID/Console specific. Some of the features also come with a mandatory website sign-up which is bullsh*t in itself. The worst of it all is the fact that your friends will not be able to fully enjoy your game unless they fork over money for the VIP PASS as well. For some reason the development team at codemasters must not have been following EA's fall from grace, because the are just now jumping on the same exact godforsaken bandwagon. For this alone I would say skip this game. The game has potential, but like I said most of that potential is lost to poor offline design, and a poor online experience from fellow online gamers. The choice is yours, but I'm gonna stick by my word, and say skip it. For all that is sacred in the world of gaming just skip it.