Gravel

64%
Game Brain Score Based on 315 reviews
  • graphics
  • music
  • gameplay
Gravel Game Cover
Gravel isn't perfect but it nails enough of the essentials and brings just enough style to the table to make it a great racing game overall.
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Gravel is an arcade-style racing game that offers both single-player and multiplayer modes, featuring masterful gameplay and outstanding visuals. With a wide variety of off-road competitions, it claims to be the only game in the market that provides such an extreme mix of racing events. However, note that it does have some bugs that can affect gameplay. In summary, Gravel delivers thrilling off-road racing experiences, but be prepared for occasional glitches.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

64%
Audience ScoreBased on 315 reviews
graphics39 positive mentions
optimization6 negative mentions
  • Gravel offers a fun arcade racing experience reminiscent of classic titles like Sega Rally and Motorstorm.
  • The game features a good variety of cars and tracks, providing an engaging and enjoyable racing experience.
  • The handling model is accessible and enjoyable, making it easy for newcomers while still offering depth for experienced players.
  • The game suffers from performance issues, including crashes and stuttering, particularly on certain tracks.
  • There is a lack of customization options for vehicles, and many features are locked behind paid DLC, limiting the base game's content.
  • The inability to change key bindings before the first race and unskippable cutscenes can be frustrating for players.
  • graphics68 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many players noting that while they are generally good and visually appealing, they do not stand out as exceptional or cutting-edge. Some users appreciate the vibrant environments and vehicle designs, while others criticize the graphics for being dated or lacking in realism, particularly in comparison to newer titles. Overall, the visuals are considered adequate for an arcade racing game, contributing positively to the gameplay experience despite some performance issues.

    • “Love it - I set all the graphical options at max on my PC.”
    • “Graphics are awesome.”
    • “Beautiful graphics, thrilling sounds and music, fast-paced, arcade gameplay.”
    • “The graphic quality is much lower than what it seemed to be in videos and screenshots.”
    • “Way too generic, dated graphics and horrible physics.”
    • “I mean it's 2018 and graphics are behind the times... too bad I really liked this game.”
  • music26 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players enjoying the ability to use their own tracks, while others criticize the generic and forgettable soundtrack, describing it as mediocre or even terrible. While a few users appreciate the hype and energy of certain tracks, many find the music lacks memorability and originality, often comparing it unfavorably to licensed music. Overall, the consensus leans towards disappointment, with suggestions to mute the in-game music in favor of personal playlists.

    • “Hype soundtrack”
    • “- good soundtrack; - good sound effects and soundtrack”
    • “Beautiful graphics, thrilling sounds and music, fast paced, arcade gameplay.”
    • “Terrible soundtrack with only one menu music.”
    • “Comprised of generic rock songs and guitar riffs, it succeeds at setting a mood for the game but fails at being memorable at all.”
    • “The music is awful and I definitely recommend muting it.”
  • gameplay26 mentions

    The gameplay is generally praised for its fun, arcade-style mechanics that balance simplicity with a sense of realism, making it accessible for both casual players and those looking to improve their skills. While some reviewers noted a degree of repetitiveness, the intuitive controls, beautiful maps, and engaging driving physics contribute to an enjoyable racing experience. Overall, the game is recommended for its solid mechanics and entertaining gameplay, despite some criticisms regarding DLC value and minor technical issues.

    • “Fun to play, basic arcade gameplay, love the cars & liveries.”
    • “Being honest, I enjoyed Gravel even more than the Dirt games I've played before. It's not really an overly arcadey game, but there's some sense of realism in the way it controls. The controls feel well-done, the racing mechanics are fun, and the maps are beautiful and well-designed. It's an easy game to get into but difficult to master, making it a great pick for both racing enthusiasts and newcomers.”
    • “Don't expect a simulation-type game, but this is huge amounts of fun. The game mechanics are well thought-out, and the car roster and liveries are amazing for a rally geek like me.”
    • “DLCs are also overpriced; every DLC adds 2 hours of gameplay at most (if you are a sloppy driver).”
    • “The gameplay is a little bit repetitive, but the tracks are truly a joy to floor it on.”
    • “Even on low settings, my intro videos stutter and I get terrible low FPS during the gameplay, along with long loading times.”
  • optimization18 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players experiencing significant performance issues such as stuttering and frame drops, particularly on certain maps and platforms like Linux. While some users report smooth performance on higher-end systems, others note that the game struggles to maintain a consistent frame rate, indicating that overall optimization is lacking. Despite its visual appeal, the game's performance inconsistencies detract from the overall experience for many players.

    • “Game's optimized and runs great on my garbage OEM HP workstation, zero crashes.”
    • “It runs in Unreal Engine too, so it looks decently pretty while getting good performance on just about anything; just tone down the heavy motion blur.”
    • “I did not see any bugs or performance issues.”
    • “Poor performance on Linux, plus DLCs not available.”
    • “Not the best optimization (stutters).”
    • “Some maps aren't well-optimized, causing your FPS to drop to 40-50 FPS (0.01% FPS min).”
  • stability14 mentions

    The game's stability is highly inconsistent, with many users reporting frequent freezes and crashes, particularly on Linux and certain tracks. While some players experience smooth performance and no bugs on specific PCs, the overall sentiment leans towards frustration due to the game's instability, making it unplayable for a significant number of users.

    • “The game is optimized and runs great on my old OEM HP workstation, with zero crashes.”
    • “If you're on a PC, I would recommend this game as it runs smoothly and everything works, making it mostly enjoyable.”
    • “Runs great, looks good, and handling is excellent if you're into arcade racers like Sega Rally or Dirt 2.”
    • “The game freezes over and over again.”
    • “Seems like it would be a fun enough game but it constantly freezes; it's unplayable on Linux as it stands.”
    • “I decided to give this game one last chance as I upgraded my PC and it still stutters and then freezes.”
  • humor10 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag; while some players find the cheesy voiceovers and cutscenes in career mode amusing, others feel that certain aspects, like the cloud sync prompts, lack humor altogether. Overall, the game is described as funny, particularly in its arcade-style gameplay and entertaining crashes, though some elements, like the boss races, are criticized for being too easy and short.

    • “The career mode voiceovers and FMV scenes are super cheesy, but in a good, funny way.”
    • “A funny offroad racing game with nice tracks (at least when it's not night or raining) and a lot of vehicles, even many exotic ones. Get the DLCs; they are worth it! 😀 I enjoyed it a lot.”
    • “Fun to drive, and some crashes are hilariously entertaining.”
    • “I checked the cloud sync, it was ok and guess what - I was asked to enter my name... it's not funny”
    • “It's not funny”
    • “It's not funny”
  • story6 mentions

    The story aspect of the game receives mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the engaging career mode that draws them in, others criticize the lack of depth in the overall narrative and cinematics, comparing it unfavorably to earlier titles. Despite these criticisms, the game offers a variety of settings and a non-linear story that some players find appealing.

    • “I got the base game and all DLC for 10 bucks or less, but I would pay full price for this. Not an achievement hunter, so my time played indicates my personal amount of time to complete all DLC and the story.”
    • “Career mode: 9/10 - it has a meaning, it has a story, it just has something that drags you into it and you really want to go on and on and on.”
    • “Good physics and very nice levels, a range of cars to choose from, and a non-linear story.”
    • “Cringe backstory”
    • “Not going into any depth of story, setting or map.”
    • “The cinematics/story is worse than 2015 Need for Speed”
  • grinding3 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while the initial progression through races and unlocking new vehicles and stages is enjoyable, many express frustration with the repetitive nature of the last levels, which require grinding the same tracks. Some users also dislike the forced grinding mechanics, suggesting that optional challenges would enhance the experience.

    • “I have no idea since those last 44 levels are just grinding the same tracks over and over again.”
    • “I'm also not huge on forced grinding, and that's something those races have. Options for getting stars without forcing you to play things you don't really like would be good.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Players report a strong emotional connection to the game, particularly noting that using the Xbox One controller enhances the feeling of control and immersion, making them feel as though they are physically handling the vehicle.

    • “Playing it with the Xbox One controller made me feel like the vehicle was in my hands.”
    • “The story's depth and character development left me emotionally invested throughout the entire game.”
    • “I felt a strong connection to the characters, and their struggles resonated with my own experiences.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    While some users note a lack of replayability, they still find the game enjoyable and reminiscent of simpler times, suggesting that its charm may outweigh its repetitive elements.

    • “Despite all the small critiques and the lack of replayability, I still somehow find this game a blast to play; perhaps it feels like simpler times.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

69% average critic score

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Play time

2hMedian play time
2hAverage play time
2-2hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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