Gaming Spotlight: GRID 2 Re-visited on the Xbox One

Last week, Microsoft launched the Xbox Games Pass to the public. This feature provides access to over 100 Xbox Games for a monthly fee, but current subscribers to Xbox Live Gold are given access to a 14 day trial. Amongst those games, you can find GRID 2, Codemasters' 2013 title which generated a mixed reception primarily due to the lack of cockpit view and reduced focus on realism. Still, GRID 2 had a lot going for it so I decided to take it for a spin during my trial period and highlight some of my experiences of the game's redeeming features.

As with pretty much any backwards compatible game, you do notice that booting up GRID 2 takes you back to when 720p gaming was the norm with its details surrounded by rough edges. However, what doesn't age is the attention to detail. With GRID 2, Codemasters demonstrated they know how to recreate the vibrant atmosphere of an international racing series, then add some extra zing to make the player feel like they are a driving superstar. As you acquire fans and progress through each season in the campaign mode, you notice crowds getting larger and louder. Add to that banners and digital displays, fireworks and dramatic music which plays on the last lap of special events and you have a truly immersive racing experience at your fingertips. 

You also have more than 50 well crafted cars, ranging from hot hatches, retro muscle cars and sports coupes to touring cars, track day specials and supercars. The cars are beginning to show their age, but they all have fantastic engine sounds and their own handling characteristics so you are sure to find a personal favourite. Do note the game's physics are centred around drifting, so you may find yourself kicking the back end out to attain faster lap times.

In terms of customisation, career mode allows you to play with a Livery Editor. You are given preset designs and a palette of colours to choose from which is quite restrictive compared to the likes of Forza which allow far greater control over skinning abilities, but you can create bespoke designs for each of the cars in your garage, or have a consistent colour scheme applied to all of your machines if you prefer. Whatever shapes you choose to have displayed on your racecraft, you can apply sponsors on top which are bundled with tasks which must be achieved during the season you are completing. Nailing the targets leads to gaining more fans, and that's where the events come in. 

As well as adrenaline fuelled and often bumper-to-bumper racing, career mode offers a wide spectrum of events to take part in. One of the first disciplines you are introduced to is faceoff, which are one-on-one challenges split into heats. You also have drifting, eliminator races, endurance, overtake challenges and arguable one of the most demanding disciplines, touge. They're similar to faceoff events, but with limited contact and requires the following car to be within a certain distance, otherwise they lose the round. Plus, heavy contact also results in instant disqualification. 

Now one thing that was pushed heavily when marketing GRID 2 was the innovative LiveRoutes feature. This allows the environment layout to change on the fly, so there is always the element of surprise when you are approaching a bend. When I first played GRID 2 on the PS3, I did notice that the game became choppy when using LiveRoutes, as you would expect from a process which demands alot from the system. I'm pleased to report the LiveRoutes runs without a hitch on the Xbox One, which I find greatly enhances the appeal of these races.

And that sums up my experience the GRID 2 as a whole. A smooth experience providing me with the ability to revisit one of the most vibrant closed circuit racing games from the last generation.