Grip

About

Inspired by the Rollcage games of 1999 and 2000, Grip is a new IP for a new generation. A return to the hardcore combat racer, bristling with heavy weapons and packing ferocious speed, the game is an intense, sensory feast. Harnessing the awesome potential of Epic's Unreal Engine 4, GRIP will take you back to your nostalgic past, while simultaneously propelling you into a kick-ass future.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

88%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,829 reviews

music172 positive mentions

stability24 negative mentions

Fast-paced and exhilarating gameplay that captures the essence of classic arcade racing.
Stunning graphics and diverse track designs that enhance the racing experience.
Great customization options for vehicles and the ability to add custom music.

Unforgiving physics and track design that can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences.
AI opponents can feel overly aggressive and rubberband, making races feel unfair.
Multiplayer community is sparse, making it difficult to find online matches.

music
329 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
43%
5%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising the energetic drum and bass soundtrack that complements the fast-paced gameplay, while others find it repetitive and lacking variety. Players appreciate the option to customize their playlists, allowing them to replace the default tracks with their own music, which enhances the overall experience. Despite some criticisms of the soundtrack's repetitiveness, it is often highlighted as a key element that keeps players engaged and returning to the game.
- “Oh yeah, the soundtrack slaps, and is one of the main reasons I keep coming back to play it.”
- “The music is simply awesome, the visuals and graphics are totally insane.”
- “The soundtrack fits the futuristic punk theme of the game well, but if you don't like the tracks it comes with you can individually remove songs from the rotation or even set up a custom playlist for it.”
- “Very, very dull soundtrack; it's extremely generic drum and bass.”
- “The music is awfully repetitive.”
- “The game soundtrack is droning due to the music sounding a bit similar, so it's quite forgettable.”
graphics
270 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
37%
1%
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising their stunning quality and vibrant aesthetics, particularly for a title utilizing Unreal Engine 4. Players appreciate the detailed vehicle models, diverse track designs, and the overall visual polish that enhances the sense of speed and immersion. However, some users noted occasional graphical bugs and performance issues on lower-end systems, suggesting that while the visuals are impressive, optimization could still be improved.
- “The game's visuals are stunning and surprisingly stylized for a UE4 game, which usually has very generic looking environments.”
- “Graphically, the game is gorgeous.”
- “The graphics are astonishing, and the models of the vehicles and maps are hands-down gorgeous.”
- “The graphics don't seem very optimized or I haven't got them set right.”
- “The menu and car section is very basic UI and very poor graphics.”
- “For me it feels shallow, the car feels too big at some point, it loses control quite soon, meh weapons, and average (low) graphics, even in ultra all.”
gameplay
251 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
59%
8%
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its fast-paced, chaotic racing mechanics and unique features like driving on walls and ceilings. However, players have also noted issues such as repetitive tasks, a steep learning curve, and unrefined mechanics that can lead to frustrating experiences. Overall, while the core gameplay is considered fun and engaging, it suffers from a lack of clarity in mechanics and some unfair elements that detract from the overall enjoyment.
- “Great gameplay, tight controls, I absolutely recommend it.”
- “The gameplay is marvelous and full of adrenaline.”
- “Fast & fun gameplay – jump into a race and put the pedal to the metal.”
- “Repetitive gameplay, unlocking new tracks and cars feels more like a chore.”
- “The handling is numb and unresponsive; there is no sense or predictability of speed, the track design is terrible, and the gameplay ends up just being incredibly random and frustrating as a result.”
- “The gameplay doesn't capitalize on the fact you can drive on the two sides of your car; it's just a regular race with wall and ceiling riding, and boost pads that don't actually boost your speed.”
optimization
49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
47%
6%
Overall, the game's optimization receives mixed feedback, with many players praising its performance on various hardware setups, achieving stable frame rates even at high settings. However, some users note issues such as a lack of performance customization options and occasional graphical glitches, suggesting that while the game is generally well-optimized, there is still room for improvement, particularly in multiplayer scenarios and on lower-end systems.
- “Grip is well optimized, and with my specs (i5-7600k and 1060 3GB), I can get stable 60fps on max settings.”
- “It's also got a really stable technical foundation, beautiful graphics, and great performance. I've tried it on different hardware ranging from a relatively low-end gaming system with an AMD A10 7850K coupled with an NVIDIA GTX 560, and a higher mid-end system with an Intel i5 4690K coupled with an NVIDIA GTX 970, and it runs really well on both, with the latter system running it with max settings in 1920x1080 with ease, making it a gem compared to most other graphically advanced early access titles.”
- “Maps are great, music is great, and the game is well optimized and runs just fine on lower-end systems.”
- “Performance-wise, the devs did not optimize things much.”
- “The game is not optimized in any way to any hardware.”
- “It could use some more optimization though and controller support does not work with Steam Big Picture and can be buggy.”
stability
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
3%
83%
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with users reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and performance issues, particularly in multiplayer and key features like duels. While some players have experienced smooth performance on higher-end systems, many still encounter frustrating graphical anomalies and inconsistent controls. Overall, the game is seen as a work in progress, with developers actively addressing these issues, but it remains unstable and unfinished.
- “It was taxing on graphics cards before release, but I upgraded right before, so I can't say for sure that performance is 100% better, but on my end it looks and runs great!”
- “Also, the game runs great on my slightly outdated rig with impressive graphics.”
- “The game runs great for me; I have a 6-core AMD processor, 8 GB of RAM, and a GTX 970 (which is still an admittedly powerful card), and so far on max settings I've never seen a single dip below 60 FPS.”
- “They are unreliable, buggy, and downright nonsensical at times, leading to a lot of frustration when trying to race.”
- “This is a very important feature in a racing game and it's buggy.”
- “Clunky and doesn't work too well, freezes at loading screens and needs a high-end rig to run at 720p with lowest settings.”
story
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
65%
23%
The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its absence, with many users noting that the campaign lacks a coherent narrative and feels more like a series of races than a structured story mode. While some appreciate the nostalgic feel and gameplay, they express disappointment over the lack of world-building, character development, and engaging plot, suggesting that the game would benefit from a more developed storyline. Overall, the consensus is that the game prioritizes racing mechanics over storytelling, leaving players wanting more in terms of narrative depth.
- “What I like most from this though is just how old-school it feels in the right way, good controls but there's no contrived story (although there are lore logs if you're interested), the music has that lovely stank of N64/PS1 electronica (like Extreme-G).”
- “Even the loading screens have art so good they leave me wondering about the story behind a combat racing game.”
- “There are long paragraphs of backstory and their vehicles are shown, but you never see the drivers themselves.”
- “And with that said, it's not like the campaign has a story at all, so there's nothing stopping you from just doing regular races because, quite frankly, there's not much difference between racing arcade races or the campaign races here.”
- “A serviceable Wipeout-style game, simple and all about the racing. Menus are a little dull, and there is no story, voice acting, or world-building, which is a shame because the world and scenery are amazing!”
- “Great gameplay but no story and empty servers.”
humor
18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is highlighted by its absurd physics and chaotic gameplay, leading to hilarious moments such as crashing at high speeds without damage and driving sideways in the sky. Players find joy in the nostalgic references and the frantic, silly nature of the racing experience, often laughing uncontrollably during multiplayer sessions. Overall, the game combines fast-paced action with a lighthearted tone, making it a source of entertainment and amusement.
- “It's also funny when you crash into something at mach 1 and come to a full stop in an instant yet your car is completely fine.”
- “"The physics in this game is the equivalent to driving a breadstick," said my 9-year-old, laughing maniacally.”
- “I bought this game, having entirely missed that it's in early access, and still found myself grinning ear-to-ear and laughing - with no one else around - at how tremendously silly and fun this game is!”
atmosphere
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
42%
25%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its exciting races, impressive graphics, and nostalgic elements reminiscent of classic titles like F-Zero and Rollcage. While many players appreciate the unique ambiance and carefully curated music that enhances the gameplay experience, some feel that improvements are still needed to fully capture the desired atmosphere. Overall, the game successfully blends modern design with a nostalgic feel, creating an engaging environment for players.
- “As a huge fan of F-Zero and Wipeout, I feel this has the speed of F-Zero with a more similar atmosphere to Wipeout.”
- “Good atmosphere and graphics, very exciting races, nice vehicles and setting.”
- “I really love it though and I hope for the best because it's an awesome idea, with great atmosphere and design.”
- “Better atmosphere needed.”
- “Now if you are nostalgic about playing Rollcage on your parents' computer 20 years ago, this is exactly it, but without the dark, gritty cyberpunk atmosphere from back when most PC games were dark and gritty.”
- “Grip is exactly what we fans waited so long for: a Rollcage with better graphics, new game modes, harder gameplay, new physics, and new pickups/power-ups, but lacking the old atmosphere.”
grinding
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
9%
73%
Reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be a mixed experience; while some players find it tedious and time-consuming, especially at higher tiers, others appreciate the leveling system that rewards consistent play without feeling overly burdensome. The need for extensive grinding for certain achievements can be frustrating, but many players still enjoy the process and the nostalgia it brings. Overall, the grinding aspect can vary from enjoyable to tedious depending on individual preferences and goals.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “Needless to say, it made me take car selection way less seriously because by the time I hit tier 7, I had dozens of cars and it only grew more tedious as more cars unlocked.”
- “The campaign can become tedious and very time-consuming on the highest tiers for some.”
- “Some achievements are easily attainable in bulk, like killing a certain number of players without dying, while others are near impossible, such as completing 10,000 laps or destroying 1,500 opponents; these would take some serious grinding.”
replayability
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
55%
18%
27%
The game's replayability is mixed; while some players find it engaging with a "hard to master" driving mechanic and various multiplayer modes that promise long-term enjoyment, others criticize the lack of depth and track variation, leading to limited replay value. Overall, the experience can be enhanced with friends, but the single-player mode feels basic and lacks significant replayability.
- “Game is very good, with tons of replayability due to its 'easy to learn, hard to master' concept.”
- “Crazy fast speeds, booming drum and bass, explosive gameplay, and lots of multiplayer game modes; Grip offers tons of replay value.”
- “Not too much content so far but plenty to have a good time for a bunch of hours, and after online is released, well that's pretty much infinite replayability right there.”
- “Between 15-20 hours of racing in singleplayer, better with friends, very basic decal customization, multiplayer still functional but barely used, no replayability.”
- “That and the lack of track variation right now does affect the replayability, but for so early in the EA lifespan plus deathmatch with bots, and how well this project has progressed so far - it's almost a non-issue.”
- “Difficult to master - lots of replay value.”
emotional
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional responses to the game are mixed, with some players feeling a deep nostalgia and connection to their childhood gaming experiences, while others express frustration over the game's unforgiving mechanics and perceived unfairness in gameplay. This dichotomy creates a sense of heartbreak for those who wish to enjoy the game but are hindered by its challenges.
- “And it is heartbreaking, because I want to like this game with every fiber of my soul, but I just can’t.”
- “It made me feel like a kid again when I used to play the Rollcage demo over and over.”
- “Its not the devs fault, its not the game's fault, its not your computer's fault, it's just the best they can do to synchronize objects moving at such high speeds.”
monetization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
20%
60%
The monetization strategy for the game has drawn criticism, with players noting the presence of microtransactions despite the game feeling incomplete. Many believe that a relaunch with improved content and better advertising could enhance its appeal and justify any monetization efforts.
- “- No microtransactions”
- “Edit: just checked the store page again and noticed they're already pumping out microtransactions despite it being essentially a shell of a game.”
- “-no microtransactions”
- “Absolutely fantastic arcadey fast-paced Mario Kart-esque racing game with huge potential to be the go-to arcade racing game on PC if the devs just felt like reviving it a bit with a fresh coat of paint on the homescreen and some fresh advertising.”