Grid 2

72%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,828 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • story
Excellent racer with great single-player and deep multiplayer options. I highly recommend it to any racing fan.
Starting at $9.08Buy now

Grid 2 is an arcade-style racing game with both single-player and multiplayer modes. It boasts a good plot, perfect game mechanics, marvelous graphics, and a great soundtrack. However, the game is known to have some grinding and may make you laugh with its dense atmosphere. The game challenges you to be fast, be first, and be famous in the racing world.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Cloud
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

72%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,828 reviews
graphics353 positive mentions
stability13 negative mentions
  • graphics517 mentions

    The graphics in the game are widely praised for their impressive detail and optimization, allowing smooth performance even on lower-end systems. Many users highlight the stunning visuals, including well-designed cars and environments, which hold up well compared to newer titles. However, some critiques mention that while the graphics are good, they may not significantly improve upon the previous installment, and certain elements, like crowd animations, could be better.

    • “The graphics are absolutely beautiful on my 1080p monitor at 60hz, the controls are easy to learn, and there is a ton of singleplayer and multiplayer content that will keep you on the edge of your seat for hours.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, nice locations, and the gameplay is very solid.”
    • “The graphics are fantastic and optimized well, with some great smoke effects from tires as you push your car through corners, some of the best reflections on cars I have seen.”
    • “The visuals are okay but oh so uninspiring and bland.”
    • “The graphics are below par.”
    • “It's worse compared to its predecessor in every aspect except graphics and maybe sound.”
  • gameplay232 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is generally well-received, with many players enjoying the fun driving mechanics, particularly the drifting and arcade-style controls that offer a satisfying challenge. However, some critics point out a lack of depth, variety, and realism, leading to a perception of repetitive gameplay and a need for improvement in certain mechanics. Overall, while the graphics and driving dynamics are praised, opinions vary on the game's long-term engagement and content richness.

    • “The all-keyboard controls are well thought out and the gameplay is difficult enough to not be easily mastered but simple enough that anyone can play!”
    • “Epic graphics, great variety of cars, picturesque maps, super cool driving mechanics, and an engaging career mode: this game has it all.”
    • “The gameplay involves a lot of drifting but also precision driving with cars being very easy to damage or flip over or spin out of control.”
    • “I pity those who paid full price for this game because of its lacking depth (both in gameplay and story), variety, replayability, length, and above all else: a lack of vision and commitment to what the game was supposed to be.”
    • “The gameplay and overall mechanics and feel behind the car while driving are so incredibly lackluster and poorly engineered it had me yelling at my screen through every turn I took.”
    • “The core gameplay just does not work here...”
  • story116 mentions

    The story in this racing game is generally viewed as lackluster and often feels forced, with many players criticizing the unskippable cutscenes and repetitive dialogue that detracts from the racing experience. While some appreciate the attempt to create a narrative around becoming a top racer, others find it superficial and overly reliant on social media themes. Overall, the story serves as a basic framework for progression but lacks depth and engagement, making it a secondary aspect to the gameplay itself.

    • “The story is amazing.”
    • “The ironic part is that the 'story' is brilliantly done, and truly gives the player a sense of progression, which is very new to the racing genre.”
    • “A good story line that keeps you doing different racing tasks that include test drives, promo events, to actual racing circuits, etc. The game lets you choose what you want to do, so you're not dragged into their format for play.”
    • “The 'story' is told at you by two disembodied voices who keep nagging you: 'do this sponsor event!', 'complete your objectives', 'don't drive too aggressively', 'you are currently in x position'.”
    • “You're forced to endure a stupid storyline that focuses on social media and getting popular.”
    • “Beyond the fact that this is a racing game with poor driving mechanics, I feel that the rather pointless and restrictive story is another aspect that I rapidly came to dislike.”
  • optimization77 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its impressive graphics and smooth performance on a range of hardware, including low-end systems. However, several users reported significant issues with micro-stuttering and performance inconsistencies, particularly during night races, which detracted from the overall experience. While some players found the game well-optimized and playable even on mid-range laptops, others criticized the lack of performance customization and tuning options, leading to frustration in gameplay.

    • “Visually, the game is impressive and the way the Ego engine is so well optimized is downright scary.”
    • “The game also has beautiful, highly optimized graphics; you can even run it with most built-in graphics on low-medium settings at 30+ fps, and you will get 60+ fps with ultra settings on any mid-range graphics card.”
    • “The visuals are satisfying, the game is very well optimized, and it runs flawlessly.”
    • “The game is very poorly optimized.”
    • “I regularly experienced stuttering issues that made the game unplayable.”
    • “Game was unplayable due to constant stuttering, even after setting graphics to all low and getting 150+ fps.”
  • music54 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the intense and epic soundtracks that enhance the racing experience, while others criticize it for being repetitive, unfitting, or lacking customization options. Many users express a desire for more dynamic music during races, as well as the ability to turn off or customize the soundtrack, which they feel detracts from the overall atmosphere. Overall, while some enjoy the orchestral and ambient tracks, others find them insufficient or poorly matched to the game's racing theme.

    • “Intense and epic soundtrack, remarkable circuits, enjoyable sound of cars.”
    • “I enjoy listening to music and letting that guide my pace when racing.”
    • “Great visuals, a good soundtrack, amazing damage model.”
    • “The orchestral soundtrack, while good, is still lacking compared to the predecessor.”
    • “The music just seems so unfitting for a game like Grid 2, especially when the music for the original Grid fit so well.”
    • “Another thing that bugged me was a good atmosphere that has been slightly tainted with the lack of a true soundtrack.”
  • humor25 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its absurdity and chaotic multiplayer experiences, often leading to hilarious moments, especially when playing with friends. Players find the game's physics and driving mechanics amusingly unpredictable, resulting in funny accidents and race-ruining bugs that add to the overall enjoyment. While some aspects may frustrate, the lighthearted tone and entertaining gameplay keep players engaged and laughing throughout their experience.

    • “They are totally absurd and really funny because of this.”
    • “Totally superb racing game for me and my friends... if you play with your friends this game will be totally funny and hilarious when you crash into each other :p”
    • “Solid racing game, hilariously funny if you suck at it; I'd buy it for 2 euros again.”
  • stability18 mentions

    The game's stability is widely criticized, with many users reporting frequent bugs, crashes, and glitches, particularly in multiplayer and full-screen modes. While some players note that the game runs well on low-end hardware and has good graphics, the overall experience is marred by persistent issues that lead to frustration and requests for refunds. Despite occasional positive remarks about gameplay, the consensus leans heavily towards it being a "buggy mess."

    • “Good graphics, runs great even on low-end cards.”
    • “The multiplayer works fine; it is not buggy or slow.”
    • “Game looks and runs great.”
    • “Buggy mess even after all these years on the market... oh wait it's been taken off of the Steam marketplace...”
    • “It's a horrible experience overall, a catastrophe so to speak. The lobby system is slow and buggy as hell; very often it takes several runs until all mates could join.”
    • “Although I only played the game for 0.5 hours, I'm going to be requesting a refund due to the fact that the game is very buggy, and I crashed a lot.”
  • atmosphere15 mentions

    The atmosphere in the game is generally praised for its immersive qualities, featuring detailed car models, dynamic day and night cycles, and realistic engine sounds that enhance the racing experience. While some reviewers note that it lacks the personal touch of the original Grid, the overall ambiance, including well-crafted tracks and engaging sound design, contributes to a thrilling racing environment. However, a few critiques mention flat backgrounds and a lack of a true soundtrack, which slightly detracts from the overall atmosphere.

    • “As in Grid 1, the atmosphere is pretty much perfect with day and night tracks, fireworks during the night, etc.”
    • “Engine sounds are a plus here, and the atmosphere of the various fireworks... I literally have not had another racing game like this where they've taken the time to get the engine note down to the wire like this.”
    • “Aside from these small, minor details, this game probably has one of the best atmospheres of any racing game.”
    • “Even though it comes close, it lacks some of that incredibly personal atmosphere of Grid 1 (then again, no other racer even comes close).”
    • “Do you really think you can feel a professional atmosphere in a racing circuit without a cockpit perspective?”
    • “It makes for an exhilarating atmosphere with other racers breathing down your back.”
  • grinding12 mentions

    Players consistently describe the grinding aspect of the game as tedious and frustrating, with lengthy career modes and repetitive races that detract from the overall experience. The lack of variety in cars and customization, combined with challenging mechanics that lead to frequent setbacks, further contribute to the feeling of monotony. Overall, the grinding elements are seen as a significant drawback, making the gameplay feel more like a chore than an enjoyable challenge.

    • “But after lengthy gameplay sessions, it becomes quite tedious.”
    • “You'll have to play through a tedious online career that takes forever so you can race the cars you have already played through in single player.”
    • “The mandatory career storyline at the beginning is tedious.”
  • emotional9 mentions

    Players express a mix of emotional responses to the game, highlighting a sense of achievement and connection through its career mode and social media features, which evoke feelings of pride and accomplishment. However, frustrations arise from gameplay issues, such as bugs and perceived unfairness in AI interactions, leading to feelings of disappointment and discouragement. Overall, while the game can elicit strong emotions, these are often overshadowed by technical problems and gameplay imbalances.

    • “Anyway... if you want to cry because of how moving this game is, just play it.”
    • “I like how it has its own social media platform in career mode; it made me feel that special type of feeling, that sense of achievement when I complete a season, increasing my fan base after every race.”
    • “The game made me feel like the crappiest driver in the world; even on easy difficulty, I couldn't come close to getting first.”
    • “Stop trying to interrupt all the racing with a pointless and boring story.”
    • “Good graphics, interesting machines, but a little tuning and a boring story.”
  • monetization8 mentions

    The monetization strategy in Grid 2 has been criticized as a blatant cash grab, with excessive microtransactions and in-game purchases that detract from the overall experience. Players feel that the focus on customizable features and discounts for online purchases undermines the game's integrity, leading to a perception of value degradation. Overall, the aggressive monetization tactics have left a negative impression, reminiscent of past disappointments in the gaming industry.

    • “A 15% discount on every in-game purchase in online multiplayer is a great incentive for players.”
    • “The microtransactions are fairly priced and don't feel exploitative.”
    • “After my restart of Grid 2 after many years, it is now apparent that the later game was just a cash grab.”
    • “This is too much of a cash grab that tarnishes the Grid name.”
    • “In addition, I'm not a big fan of microtransactions; they only devalue the initial purchase and make people hold out for sales and collector's editions.”
  • replayability6 mentions

    Overall, the game offers a solid level of replayability, with players enjoying multiple playthroughs and the ability to improve their performance. While some users find it lacking in replay value, many appreciate the diverse event types and car choices that contribute to a rich and engaging experience. It is recommended for both new and seasoned racing fans seeking hours of entertainment.

    • “Been playing this since launch, got it on PC, beaten the game 3 times, it still has replayability, and it's an instant classic for any new racing fans. I would highly recommend that people play this for the sheer factor of being one of the best racing franchises I was introduced to.”
    • “A solid car racing game with a good career mode that allows you to develop and buy more vehicles, featuring solid gameplay and replayability to improve on your past times. It's well worth the buy, and you will get hours of entertainment from this title.”
    • “Sadly a bit lacking in replay value.”
    • “The driving mechanics of the previous Grid were perhaps a little forgiving, but subtle variations in car choice and the wide range of event types lead to an almost infinite level of replay value.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

80% average critic score

Buy Grid 2

Play time

15hMedian play time
23hAverage play time
17hMain story
29hCompletionist
6-30hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 13 analyzed playthroughs

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