GRIP: Combat Racing

87%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,050 reviews
  • music
  • graphics
  • gameplay
GRIP: Combat Racing Game Cover
Caged Element's love letter to the futuristic racing games of yore is a solid blueprint for how to convert nostalgia into a working modern game.
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GRIP is a high octane, hardcore combat racer, packing ferocious speed and armed to the teeth with heavy weapons. Harnessing gravity defying physics alongside a bristling arsenal of outlandish weapons, GRIP delivers the fastest, most competitive racing experience ever. Scale walls, ceilings and anything else you can get your tyres on to... as you master tantalising tracks, tricks and perform mind-…

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Reviews

87%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,050 reviews
music186 positive mentions
story9 negative mentions
  • Fantastic sense of speed and chaotic racing experience.
  • Great variety of tracks and vehicles, with extensive customization options.
  • Fun multiplayer modes and local split-screen support.
  • Inconsistent physics can lead to frustrating moments and loss of control.
  • AI can feel overly aggressive and rubberbanding, making races feel unfair.
  • Some tracks are poorly designed, leading to confusion and frequent resets.
  • music364 mentions

    The music in the game is predominantly a drum and bass soundtrack that many players find fitting for the high-speed racing experience, though opinions vary widely. While some appreciate the energetic tracks that enhance gameplay, others criticize the soundtrack for being repetitive and lacking variety, leading to a desire for custom music options. Fortunately, players can add their own music on PC, which helps mitigate the issues with the default soundtrack.

    • “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.”
    • “The soundtrack is stellar and very fitting of a game where you can race upside down at 400mph while being chased by a slew of rockets.”
    • “The soundtrack, consisting mostly of repetitive drum and bass tracks, wears thin quickly.”
    • “While the music fits the game's tone, hearing the same style of track over and over makes it tedious.”
    • “The music is awfully repetitive.”
  • graphics298 mentions

    The graphics in the game have received widespread praise for their stunning visuals, smooth performance, and detailed environments, often described as a significant upgrade from older titles like Rollcage. Many players appreciate the vibrant aesthetics and the sense of speed conveyed through the graphics, although some note inconsistencies in quality across different tracks. Overall, the game is recognized for its impressive graphical fidelity, particularly for an indie title, with many users highlighting the effective use of Unreal Engine 4.

    • “The graphics are astonishing, and the models of the vehicles and maps are hands-down gorgeous.”
    • “Grip is fun, original and has amazing visuals.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful, and the track design is really good.”
    • “Janky physics, dated graphics and very simple gameplay.”
    • “This one has poor explosion sounds and bad graphics.”
    • “The graphics are made in the Unreal Engine 4, which you would think is great graphics, but it really is not.”
  • gameplay287 mentions

    The gameplay of "Grip" is characterized by its fast-paced, chaotic racing mechanics that blend elements from classic titles like "Rollcage" and "Mario Kart." While many players appreciate the unique wall and ceiling driving mechanics, the game suffers from inconsistent physics, unbalanced power-ups, and a steep learning curve that can frustrate newcomers. Overall, the experience is exhilarating for those who enjoy high-speed racing, but it is marred by mechanical issues and a lack of depth in certain areas.

    • “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 with the old atmosphere.”
    • “The gameplay is fast-paced, and the physics are dead-on, but I feel as though the combination of the speed of the cars and the fact that even the smallest barrel can affect the car's path leads to a few too many circumstances where the car flies up in the air and off course.”
    • “The gameplay is very addicting and I love the strong sense of speed this game provides; the track is really cool, and the AI is too smart and annoying, which makes the game challenging even in easy mode.”
    • “However, these brief highlights are overshadowed by the game's mechanical issues.”
    • “The deeper you go into the campaign, the more the gameplay falls apart.”
    • “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.”
  • optimization55 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally well-received, with many players reporting smooth performance across a range of hardware, including lower-end systems. While some users noted minor issues, such as long load times and occasional graphical pop-ins, the majority found the graphics impressive and the gameplay enjoyable, particularly in single-player and multiplayer modes. However, there are calls for further optimization and performance customization options to enhance the experience, especially for those with specific hardware configurations.

    • “In 2023, the game is more streamlined and optimized, providing a thrilling racing experience.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
  • story34 mentions

    The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its absence, with many reviewers noting that the campaign feels more like a series of challenges or tournaments rather than a cohesive narrative. While some appreciate the old-school racing focus, the lack of a compelling story or character development leaves the game feeling lifeless and empty. Overall, players express disappointment over the minimal lore and the absence of a traditional story mode, which detracts from the overall experience.

    • “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.”
    • “The campaign mode would be a bit more fun if there were an actual story, but that may be implemented at a later date.”
    • “There ain't even a cringe cheesy story to drive this, and as a result the game feels lifeless and empty to me.”
    • “A serviceable Wipeout-style game, simple and all about the racing, menus are a little dull and there is no story or voice acting or world building, which is a shame because the world and scenery is amazing!”
    • “Bought at $10 for the full/deluxe edition, I probably wouldn't pay more than $15-$20 for it considering it has 0 story; the main attraction is the multiplayer, but it's not very popular so there are few people playing it online; therefore its value is reduced.”
  • stability33 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs and glitches that hinder gameplay, particularly in multiplayer and key features like duels. While some users note that the game runs well on higher-end systems and appreciate the developers' responsiveness to reported issues, the overall consensus is that the game is still in an unfinished state, requiring further optimization and bug fixes.

    • “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.”
    • “Also, the game runs great on my slightly outdated rig with impressive graphics.”
    • “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!”
    • “But it is so buggy and has so much unused potential that I am constantly frustrated when playing it.”
    • “They are unreliable, buggy, and downright nonsensical at times, leading to a lot of frustration when trying to race.”
    • “Saying that, very unfinished, very buggy, and going to take some time!”
  • humor18 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by its absurd physics and fast-paced, chaotic gameplay, leading to hilarious moments such as crashing at high speeds without damage and driving sideways in the sky. Players often find themselves laughing uncontrollably at the game's over-the-top mechanics and nostalgic references, creating a fun and lighthearted atmosphere. Overall, the combination of silly scenarios and unexpected gameplay elements contributes to a joyful and entertaining experience.

    • “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!”
  • grinding15 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, particularly when aiming for 100% completion or high-tier achievements. While some enjoy the nostalgic grind reminiscent of classic racing games, others feel that the repetitive nature of unlocking cars and completing challenges can detract from the overall experience. However, there are also mentions of a leveling system that rewards players without excessive grinding, appealing to those looking for a more enjoyable gameplay experience.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “And while many of the tracks provide that experience, many of them are designed in ways that really slow the races down and just end up being tedious to play.”
    • “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 to some.”
  • atmosphere15 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its beautiful maps and immersive settings, evoking a sense of participation in a futuristic underground racing community across diverse planets. Players appreciate the combination of exciting races, well-designed vehicles, and carefully selected music that enhances the overall experience, although some feel that improvements in aerial control and additional content could further elevate the atmosphere. Nostalgic elements reminiscent of classic racing games are noted, contributing to a unique blend of speed and ambiance that resonates with fans.

    • “The maps are beautiful and deliver a great atmosphere; I can almost imagine myself participating in an underground racing community in a distant future, across various planets and ecosystems.”
    • “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.”
    • “If there was more aerial control it would make the game better, but as it is now, it's difficult to drive when you are stuck in the atmosphere.”
    • “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.”
    • “Better atmosphere needed.”
  • replayability12 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the "easy to learn, hard to master" mechanics and the potential for multiplayer engagement, others criticize the lack of depth, track variation, and limited single-player content, which diminishes long-term enjoyment. The game offers a solid experience for a few hours, but its replay value may be hindered by its current content limitations.

    • “Game is very good, with tons of replayability due to its 'easy to learn, hard to master' concept.”
    • “Crazy fast speeds, boomin' drum n' bass, explosive gameplay, and lots of multiplayer gamemodes, 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.”
    • “Guns + fast cars = fun, the game only lacks replayability.”
    • “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.”
  • monetization6 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is criticized for relying on microtransactions, which some players feel detracts from the overall experience, suggesting that the game feels incomplete or underdeveloped. There are calls for a relaunch and better advertising to improve its reception.

    • “The game is funded by microtransactions, but they don't feel intrusive.”
    • “I appreciate that there are no microtransactions in this game.”
    • “☐ funded by 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.”
    • “Needs some kind of relaunch when it's finished, and some investment in advertising when it launches”
  • emotional5 mentions

    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 and heartbreak due to the game's unforgiving mechanics and perceived unfairness in gameplay. This dichotomy highlights the game's ability to evoke strong feelings, both positive and negative, in its players.

    • “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.”
    • “The game is unforgiving for the slightest mistakes in driving or clipping, and the NPC cars rush away with perfect driving.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

68% average critic score

Buy GRIP: Combat Racing

Play time

19hMedian play time
15hAverage play time
5-27hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 4 analyzed playthroughs

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