Despite being the worst digital driver on the planet, and having a disdain for racing games in general, I rather enjoyed the TOCA series of games. The TOCA name ended up being dropped from Codemasters’ games in favour of the Grid nomenclature. That remains for the latest game, Grid Autosport – but it seems to be a return to TOCA in heart.
Here’s what critics have to say of the latest Grid, which will be available here on Friday.
CVG: 9/10
As apologies go, Grid Autosport is entirely convincing. Not that we imagine Codemasters is in any way ashamed of the undeniably boisterous Grid 2, but in addressing the criticisms levelled at it so thoroughly and with such vigour, it’s clear the studio hasn’t forgotten Grid’s core fans – nor, for that matter, TOCA’s.
And in removing all the well-meaning fictional fluff that was engineered to make you feel like part of a racing event in previous games, Codemasters has created a Grid that makes you feel more like a competitive driver than ever before.
Digital Spy: 4/5
While we enjoyed last year’s GRID 2 and liked some of its innovative new features, GRID Autosport is definitely the sequel fans have been waiting for. The different racing styles provide a hugely diverse experience that really highlights Codemasters’ strengths as one of the best developers of racing games.
Eurogamer: 7/10
Grid Autosport is a fine racing game, though it’s never a thoroughbred one. It’s the muscle car that was Grid 2 stripped out and retooled for the track, but too often you can see the solder-work at the seams. In 2008, Race Driver: Grid was a partial reinvention of the racing genre, equipped with a handful of fresh ideas. Six years on, Grid Autosport – while a definite return to form for Codemasters – is simply a rediscovery of it.
IGN: 8.3
Grid Autosport promised proper motor racing and that’s exactly what it delivers. The spirit of TOCA is finally back.
PC Gamer: 86
No flashy new features or buzzwords, just magnificent racing stemming from a refinement of Grid 1’s greatness.
Inc Gamers: 6/10
Friendlier F1 handling in a Grid 2 wrapper, Grid Autosport is a tour through the Codemasters back catalogue. Single player is hampered by predictable AI, but tuning options and improved cornering elevates the multiplayer above Grid 2’s.
Grid Autosport will be available on Friday for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360. It runs at 30fps on those legacy platforms, but has no such restriction on PC. If you want that sweet 60fps racing glory, PC’s the way to go here.
Last Updated: June 25, 2014
Liquid Kaz (Umar)
June 25, 2014 at 12:02
Polygon 5?
FoxOneZA
June 25, 2014 at 12:29
Word!
oVg FX
June 25, 2014 at 12:07
What is the frame rate because normally Code Masters games look great in stills but play like crap.
The last code master game that I played was F1 and it had a game breaking bug thanks to every modern game auto requiring a stupid ass auto save that always gets corrupted and with no option to have multiple save slots.
Rince&exhale
June 25, 2014 at 12:10
Cough Dark Souls Cough.
Rags
June 25, 2014 at 12:11
“It runs at 30fps on those legacy platforms, but has no such restriction on PC. If you want that sweet 60fps racing glory, PC’s the way to go here.”
Sith JJ
June 25, 2014 at 12:28
Shush!
TOCA is undefeated!
But I agree on the shite autosave
FoxOneZA
June 25, 2014 at 12:30
30fps. New Engine that does 60fps will be available when next-gen arrives 😛
oVg FX
June 25, 2014 at 13:17
Like PGR 2008
FoxOneZA
June 25, 2014 at 14:27
PGR was legendary. It broke into a new generation handsomely without having to worry about screen-res or frame rate.
Alien Emperor Trevor
June 25, 2014 at 12:15
There’s a lacist driver stereotype in here somewhere.
CAE9872
June 25, 2014 at 12:22
I definitely will be picking this up in a week or two’s time. Love the Grid series; TOCA series…heck racing games in general; unlike some people around here…no names mentioned hey Geoff!
Sith JJ
June 25, 2014 at 12:29
I too love me a good racing game. True follower of Codemasters though. Loved the crap out of each TOCA game made (excluding GRID 2).
Sith JJ
June 25, 2014 at 12:25
This makes me so happy. GRID 2 was such a KAK game.
CAE9872
June 25, 2014 at 12:26
There are worse I am sure…I present to you the daily hyperbole award!
EDIT: Sorry that should be daily INTERNET hyperbole award.
Sith JJ
June 25, 2014 at 12:27
Worst game by Codemasters, though.
CAE9872
June 25, 2014 at 12:33
I see your GRID 2 and raise you…F1 Race Stars? Personally haven’t played it but didn’t seem to be set world alight.
Problem with GRID2 was GRID…1. It’s fine, but the nostalgic factor of 1st GRID was their problem. Racing fans are easily pleased – good graphics, decent cars and tracks. The End…
We DO NOT need stories to our racing dammit!
Sith JJ
June 25, 2014 at 12:35
Ah. I never played F1 Race Stars either.
I think the problem with GRID 2, for me at least, was that it was simplified, dumbed down and given NFS handling. I hated them for ruining the Race Driver series with that title.
Not to mention the absolutely terrible AI and online racing modes.
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
June 25, 2014 at 12:35
F1 Race Stars was horseshit. Proper Horseshit.
CAE9872
June 25, 2014 at 12:35
This coming from a self-confessed racing hater…let me guess it didn’t have a blue shell 🙂
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
June 25, 2014 at 12:38
No, I do love Kart games. 😉
http://www.lazygamer.net/review/mario-kart-8-review-daisy-me-rollin-dey-hatin/
http://www.lazygamer.net/review/mario-kart-7-review-a-work-of-kart/
http://www.lazygamer.net/xbox-360/sonic-all-stars-racing-transformed-review/
All good games. F1 Race Stars? Not so much.
http://www.lazygamer.net/xbox-360/f1-race-stars-review-formula-fun/
CAE9872
June 25, 2014 at 12:40
But yeah I remember it being panned by quite a few reviews. Seemed like they could have done so much more with it. Instead it just seemed like a cutesy F1 game. If you going that route make the thing wacky; standout! DO NOT compete with Mario Kart – you will lose…
Sith JJ
June 25, 2014 at 12:40
Cart games compared to racing games (NFS excluded).
Isn’t that a bit like comparing Darryn in his Batsuit to Bruce Wayne in his Batsuit?
oVg FX
June 25, 2014 at 13:15
Mario Kart 64 FOR THE WIN
geelslang
June 25, 2014 at 13:16
I see your F1 Race Stars and raise you Big Rigs: Over the Road Racing
M4rkV3n0m .
July 1, 2014 at 11:49
Complete bullshit. Next thing you tell me is that ‘Live the life’ in F1 2010 was not helping the overall immersion. And btw guys Grid Auto sucks bad in comparison to Grid1 – I still play it until CM tries to recreate a rewarding SP experience. Which they failed to do since F1 2010 and badly so. I am sick of the console generation of players and wannabe players that tell me what we need and do not need.
Sith JJ
June 25, 2014 at 12:33
Burnt my fingers pre-ordering GRID 2, so won’t be doing that with this one. Heck, probably won’t buy it until it’s a bit cheaper and older. Codemasters messed up and they haven’t regained my trust in them as makers of a true TOCA competitor again just yet.
CAE9872
June 25, 2014 at 12:34
I also won’t pre-order the Black Edition…but will get it soon enough *he says looking at backlog*
Sith JJ
June 25, 2014 at 12:43
GRID 2 is the only game on my steam library that I hide away in a separate category.
CAE9872
June 25, 2014 at 12:37
Not sure if you have PS4, but the ONE thing it is missing massively is a decent racing game. Rivals is good but was a while back now…at least Driveclub is on horizon.
Sith JJ
June 25, 2014 at 12:39
I game on a pc. The last NFS I bought and enjoyed was the original Most Wanted, not that terrible new one. And since I don’t buy EA anymore I won’t know what the rest of them are like. That said though, I’m looking forward to The Crew more than anything else for an arcade experience. DriveClub hasn’t really convinced me just yet.
CAE9872
June 25, 2014 at 12:41
Out of all the PC racing games, I do wish they would properly port GT-R to consoles. That was apparently a great game.
Project Cars looking very good too though.
Sith JJ
June 25, 2014 at 12:43
Wow dude. So true. GT-R was incredible. I always wished they’d port PGR to pc.
Project Cars is looking great though, agreed.
alcatraz5953
June 25, 2014 at 13:07
All i want is NFS Underground 3. All the NFS games after NFSU2 (with the exception of the original most wanted, and maybe shift) were awful. NFSU3 now!!!! And GRID 2 was equally bad, a well wasted pre-order for me.
DiggityDingDong
June 25, 2014 at 13:36
Underground was an awesome series! Still remember my blue skyline and lil Jon blasting in the background
alcatraz5953
June 25, 2014 at 13:44
Hell yeah, modding Supra’s and Hummers so that they look like Christmas trees and sound like space ships getting ready for take off. There is no better feeling than ‘pimping’ out your car, tuning the setup and completely destroying a friend in a good old fashioned drag race. God I miss that :'(
DiggityDingDong
June 25, 2014 at 13:34
This should have been on the ps4, we need decent racing games on the ps4! driveclub is too far away!
M4rkV3n0m .
July 1, 2014 at 12:01
But do we need a PS4? Or XBOX One? And do either of those help advance the game design and or quality of games? NO!!!! Death to consoles and I sincerely hope that his generation is the last iteration of held-back potential.
DiggityDingDong
July 1, 2014 at 12:14
I do agree with you on consoles not advancing games, but its so much more easier to own a console than a pc. I don’t have to worry about ‘system requirments’ just stick in the disc and play. That’s just my opinion, please don’t hurt me!
Mikhil
June 25, 2014 at 15:31
As much as I want this, I think I’ll stick with Asetto Corsa till it drops in price.
M4rkV3n0m .
July 1, 2014 at 12:02
Assetto pisses on Codemasters. Just stick with it-not until anything, just stick with it. 🙂 Trust me-uninstalled GA after 2 hours of playing this sickening attempt of cashing in on old glory. Boooooo CM booooooo!