GRID Autosport First Impressions

[MXH]

See, told you so

Lucky for you!

You're on point, absolutely!

You just gotta love the race atmosphere that's all over this game. On the X360, my most memorable Codies purchases have got to be GA and Dirt 3, which also boasts a ridiculous amount of race and rally atmosphere.

I believe DiRT2 was even better than DiRT3 as far as atmosphere goes. Perhaps much thanks to the (in)famous trailer.

The screen tearing is something you'll havta get used to. I hear it's a little less on the X360, but you still do get it. It can be annoying, but you learn to put up with it. Try turning on those motion interpolation enhancements on your TV that artificially boost the frame rate. Not only will your 30 fps games look almost buttery smooth like 60 fps games, it might partially cure the screen tearing.

I wouldn't know for sure since my TV doesn't have motion refresh enhancements.

Unfortunately my TV can't do that. I sincerely hoping that next-gen brings us rock solid framerates.

I'm also slowly accustoming to the screen-tear. Good thing it only appears on the top half/quarter of the screen. As for framerate issues, I'm actually quite surprised how well it holds up. Though, the worst offender is so far Algarve (day) during races.

 

[Speedster911]

Lucky for you!




I believe DiRT2 was even better than DiRT3 as far as atmosphere goes. Perhaps much thanks to the (in)famous trailer.


Unfortunately my TV can't do that. I sincerely hoping that next-gen brings us rock solid framerates.

I'm also slowly accustoming to the screen-tear. Good thing it only appears on the top half/quarter of the screen. As for framerate issues, I'm actually quite surprised how well it holds up. Though, the worst offender is so far Algarve (day) during races.

Can't believe I didn't mention Dirt 2! It's an absolute classic and a must have. You gotta love the soundtrack in these Codies rally games...oh and did I mention the atmosphere!?

I'm used to the screen tear, though I wish the texture/color banding in the clear day and night skies would be less noticeable, and lack of off-throttle engine grunt.

Oh well.. can't have it all! Great game.

 

[Saidur_Ali]

First impressions of PS3 version, framerate doesn't seem that smooth and that is currently without mirrors so hopefully they can improve performance of game in a patch. I was expecting a bit more realistic handling, does not seem as good as old TOCA RD3 game. I quickly realised I'm still quite rubbish at Codemaster games, I think I will try the RaceNet challenges and get up to a reasonable speed before going for the offline career mode as it looks like it will be particularly difficult to get pole and win all the races on Very Hard setting.

 

[Ridox2JZGTE]

Any chance to know the car and track list ? Is the physics similar or better than Ferrari The Race Experience ? Might buy it someday. No AI is too hard

 

[Saidur_Ali]

Any chance to know the car and track list ? Is the physics similar or better than Ferrari The Race Experience ? Might buy it someday. No AI is too hard

There is list of cars and tracks on RaceDepartment: Link

I doubt the physics will be as good as that game, I've only played the demo of Supercar Challenge and I imagine Ferrari The Race Experience will have similar handling? I recently been playing Test Drive Ferrari Racing Legends made by Slightly Mad Studios and that too me has more realistic physics too than GAS in my opinion. I know it is meant to be more arcade side handling but I was hoping more like the old TOCA games where I think you can feel the limit better. AI sets some rapid times, will most likely need to learn about best tuning setups to compete.

 

[Ridox2JZGTE]

Saw BMW E30 M3 and R32 GTR Gr A, do they drive with some similarity to real life ( handling etc ) or more generic feel as I read the physics is more on arcade side. Ferrari The Race Experience is similar to Supercar Challenge, I have Ferrari TRE, quite like the physics, already finished 50% of the game on hardest level and simulation + no assist, the AI is not much a challenge though Also have V8 Superstars, more on the arcade side, easily beaten even on hardest level and no assist, the AI was

 

[mister dog]

I recently been playing Test Drive Ferrari Racing Legends made by Slightly Mad Studios and that too me has more realistic physics too than GAS in my opinion. I know it is meant to be more arcade side handling but I was hoping more like the old TOCA games where I think you can feel the limit better. AI sets some rapid times, will most likely need to learn about best tuning setups to compete.

I think you are underestimating just how good the physics in GAS actually are, just play for a while make sure you get used to the cars and get a taste of the different disciplines and then come back and tell me the physics are arcadey

They are definitely on a GT5 level, if not better in some ways (how your car reacts to curbs/ jumps and the tire model i personally find better). You can really come as one with the feeling of the car if you take your time for it and set it up properly with the assists off.

 

[Ridox2JZGTE]

So, has anyone drove the R32 GTR ? how does the R32 GTR Gr A handle ? Does it simulate the ATTESA system ? How does the Mt Panorama compared to GT6 ? Sorry if I asked a lot.

 

[Ameer67]

So, has anyone drove the R32 GTR ? how does the R32 GTR Gr A handle ? Does it simulate the ATTESA system ? How does the Mt Panorama compared to GT6 ? Sorry if I asked a lot.

GRID's Mt. Panorama is similar to SHIFT's. (If you've played it before) It's a little wider than it should be.

 

[Ridox2JZGTE]

GRID's Mt. Panorama is similar to SHIFT's. (If you've played it before) It's a little wider than it should be.

Thanks for the quick reply Similar to SHIFT, okay, I see that the Gr A Touring car has only 2 car, Sierra RS500 and R32 GTR, can you use it on career races, if yes, the then grid will only have 2 car models with different liveries ? Also, is there livery variation for both Gr A Touring Car ? Maybe Gibson Motorsport R32 GTR How deep is the tuning settings ? Similar to GT6 or much more in depth - tire pressure, caster, better LSD and damper tuning ?

 

[mister dog]

Thanks for the quick reply Similar to SHIFT, okay, I see that the Gr A Touring car has only 2 car, Sierra RS500 and R32 GTR, can you use it on career races, if yes, the then grid will only have 2 car models with different liveries ? Also, is there livery variation for both Gr A Touring Car ? Maybe Gibson Motorsport R32 GTR How deep is the tuning settings ? Similar to GT6 or much more in depth - tire pressure, caster, better LSD and damper tuning ?

Yes there are events in the touring car career with these two, you have a choice in different preset liveries for all cars ingame but to personalize cars first you need to buy them and then you can do racenet challenges with them or use them online to level up.

Tuning has only basic settings like suspension, downforce, diff, brake bias but it's enough to correct your cars very fast and get them like you want them to be, so i like it. In GT5 i could spend hours trying to get a car right with all the settings that are available to you, whereas in GAS i can have the same results in 10 mins 👍.

 

[Saidur_Ali]

Saw BMW E30 M3 and R32 GTR Gr A, do they drive with some similarity to real life ( handling etc ) or more generic feel as I read the physics is more on arcade side. Ferrari The Race Experience is similar to Supercar Challenge, I have Ferrari TRE, quite like the physics, already finished 50% of the game on hardest level and simulation + no assist, the AI is not much a challenge though Also have V8 Superstars, more on the arcade side, easily beaten even on hardest level and no assist, the AI was

I haven't driven them in the game yet or in real life so have no idea. Game so far I'm finding it hard to find the limit, maybe just problem with me and Codemaster games with no assists. Do you have TD: FRL? That is quite easy game on hard difficulty.

I think you are underestimating just how good the physics in GAS actually are, just play for a while make sure you get used to the cars and get a taste of the different disciplines and then come back and tell me the physics are arcadey

They are definitely on a GT5 level, if not better in some ways (how your car reacts to curbs/ jumps and the tire model i personally find better). You can really come as one with the feeling of the car if you take your time for it and set it up properly with the assists off.

Just drove the Ford GT40 MK1, that was a bit more fun to drive but again I can't find a sort of natural limit to car. Handling seems all over the place to me and quite a bit off the pace, I know how I could go a lot faster but I'm not finding consistency in the handling model so have no confidence to push. Am I at all disadvantaged using a loan car compared to people who might own car in these RaceNet challenges?

 

[Ridox2JZGTE]

Yes there are events in the touring car career with these two, you have a choice in different preset liveries for all cars ingame but to personalize cars first you need to buy them and then you can do racenet challenges with them or use them online to level up.

Tuning has only basic settings like suspension, downforce, diff, brake bias but it's enough to correct your cars very fast and get them like you want them to be, so i like it. In GT5 i could spend hours trying to get a car right with all the settings that are available to you, whereas in GAS i can have the same results in 10 mins 👍.

Level up ? Is this driver level like exp points or winning points or car has level ?

I haven't driven them in the game yet or in real life so have no idea. Game so far I'm finding it hard to find the limit, maybe just problem with me and Codemaster games with no assists. Do you have TD: FRL? That is quite easy game on hard difficulty.

Just drove the Ford GT40 MK1, that was a bit more fun to drive but again I can't find a sort of natural limit to car. Handling seems all over the place to me and quite a bit off the pace, I know how I could go a lot faster but I'm not finding consistency in the handling model so have no confidence to push. Am I at all disadvantaged using a loan car compared to people who might own car in these RaceNet challenges?

I don't have TD : FRL, but I have Ferrari The Race Experience Had much great time winning races with F40, 355 Challenge, 288 GTO and Daytona

 

[mister dog]

Just drove the Ford GT40 MK1, that was a bit more fun to drive but again I can't find a sort of natural limit to car. Handling seems all over the place to me and quite a bit off the pace, I know how I could go a lot faster but I'm not finding consistency in the handling model so have no confidence to push. Am I at all disadvantaged using a loan car compared to people who might own car in these RaceNet challenges?

Doctor dog thinks you are suffering from too much oversteer, yes indeed loaner cars in online modes can't be tuned so i find them always to be a big disadvantage to one you bought yourself and tamed in the process.

Also in career mode depending on which team you sign with, in the beginning you will have either no or limited tuning options, but if you do good and can sign with better teams you can set the parameters in more detail. I'd advice always choosing the team that provides you limited tuning options, as it will help a great deal already. Play around with the springs and the diff to sort the oversteer out.

Level up ? Is this driver level like exp points or winning points or car has level ?

There's many levels, your car has it's own level (level up by using it more), and you have the exp level also seperately in online and career modes.

 

[Ridox2JZGTE]

Doctor dog thinks you are suffering from too much oversteer, yes indeed loaner cars in online modes can't be tuned so i find them always to be a big disadvantage to one you bought yourself and tamed in the process.

Also in career mode depending on which team you sign with, in the beginning you will have either no or limited tuning options, but if you do good and can sign with better teams you can set the parameters in more detail. I'd advice always choosing the team that provides you limited tuning options, as it will help a great deal already. Play around with the springs and the diff to sort the oversteer out.


There's many levels, your car has it's own level (level up by using it more), and you have the exp level also seperately in online and career modes.

What does the level do on the car ? Make it better ? I'm guessing the cars are locked according to driver's level. Thanks for the answers.

 

[mister dog]

What does the level do on the car ? Make it better ? I'm guessing the cars are locked according to driver's level. Thanks for the answers.

Gradually opens op the tuning parameters and makes upgrades available, in the beginning you don't have the tuning settings available but after driving with your car for half an hour and getting some results it unlocks and you can start tuning it in more detail. You also have a basic livery editor, and you can buy rims.

Also all cars are available for purchase when you start, but you just won't have money to buy them yet

 

[Awong124]

I would definitely say the physics are more arcadey than GT6. It was meant to be like that. The cars just slide more, and are more prone to oversteer than they really should be compared to real life. Doesn't mean it's not fun though, and it's not excessive.

 

[Saidur_Ali]

Doctor dog thinks you are suffering from too much oversteer, yes indeed loaner cars in online modes can't be tuned so i find them always to be a big disadvantage to one you bought yourself and tamed in the process.

Also in career mode depending on which team you sign with, in the beginning you will have either no or limited tuning options, but if you do good and can sign with better teams you can set the parameters in more detail. I'd advice always choosing the team that provides you limited tuning options, as it will help a great deal already. Play around with the springs and the diff to sort the oversteer out.

Is there any difference in speed between loaners and brand new cars and is there tuning possibility for the RaceNet challenges? I'm gradually getting the hang of the game, good so far that realistic driving is rewarded. I'm just trying to find out why I'm so much slower than number 1 rank driver, I seem to make up time in braking and cornering but ghost of number 1 seems to pull away on the straights.

I don't mind oversteer, just hoped it would be more predictable handling.

 

[mister dog]

Is there any difference in speed between loaners and brand new cars and is there tuning possibility for the RaceNet challenges? I'm gradually getting the hang of the game, good so far that realistic driving is rewarded. I'm just trying to find out why I'm so much slower than number 1 rank driver, I seem to make up time in braking and cornering but ghost of number 1 seems to pull away on the straights.

I don't mind oversteer, just hoped it would be more predictable handling.

Yes after you buy a car online that is in the class featured in the racenet challenge of the week, it is available. You can level up with it and start tuning it + after a while upgrades are also available so it could be that this caused the speed difference on the straight, or maybe it was just a slower corner exit on your behalf .

It's really fun to do this and feels like a seperate game ingame, but be adviced that there is currently a bug that triggers a game save corruption if you tune or race online with your own cars, so i would hold out till the patch for doing that.

 

[Saidur_Ali]

Yes after you buy a car online that is in the class featured in the racenet challenge of the week, it is available. You can level up with it and start tuning it + after a while upgrades are also available so it could be that this caused the speed difference on the straight, or maybe it was just a slower corner exit on your behalf .

It's really fun to do this and feels like a seperate game ingame, but be adviced that there is currently a bug that triggers a game save corruption if you tune or race online with your own cars, so i would hold out till the patch for doing that.

Hopefully that will make the difference, otherwise I think it looks like top spot is out of my reach. It feels like I'm getting better corner exits too. Only other difference I can think of would be different shifting points is making the difference or maybe slipstream plays a role with AI car if you get them in the right place? I'm doing my times without any slipstream at the moment.

I will backup my save just in case that happens then. I quite like how the FFB tries to communicate in a realistic way, so far it seems best driving model I played on PS3 regarding Codemaster games.

 

[Speedster911]

First impressions of PS3 version, framerate doesn't seem that smooth and that is currently without mirrors so hopefully they can improve performance of game in a patch. I was expecting a bit more realistic handling, does not seem as good as old TOCA RD3 game. I quickly realised I'm still quite rubbish at Codemaster games, I think I will try the RaceNet challenges and get up to a reasonable speed before going for the offline career mode as it looks like it will be particularly difficult to get pole and win all the races on Very Hard setting.

The X360 version has a frame rate issue or two every now and then, but it is rare. I suppose it holds up better than the PS3 version. I've always found this ironic in a lot of multi-plat games since the PS3 is more powerful. Complicated hardware makes it cumbersome for programmers I suppose.

Not sure if the patch will do anything to improve performance. Doubt it.

The handling is about as realistic as it gets. They made it very clear how the handling is going to be like.

Yes, the game is challenging! The AI cars really put up a fight.

I would definitely say the physics are more arcadey than GT6. It was meant to be like that. The cars just slide more, and are more prone to oversteer than they really should be compared to real life. Doesn't mean it's not fun though, and it's not excessive.

The cars will slide around more if you make them. However, if you try to brake and powerslide them through every turn like it was possible in GRID II, you WILL experience understeer and loss of speed/grip.

I'm a sim guy at heart, though I wouldn't go as far as to call GA's physics arcadey by any means. Where they are right now, is a good start, and they will get better with future releases I'm sure.

The driving can be a bit forgiving however. And GT/Forza it is not. Neither does it aim to be.

Happy motoring!

 

[Saidur_Ali]

The X360 version has a frame rate issue or two every now and then, but it is rare. I suppose it holds up better than the PS3 version. I've always found this ironic in a lot of multi-plat games since the PS3 is more powerful. Complicated hardware makes it cumbersome for programmers I suppose.

Not sure if the patch will do anything to improve performance. Doubt it.

The handling is about as realistic as it gets. They made it very clear how the handling is going to be like.

Yes, the game is challenging! The AI cars really put up a fight.

The Xbox 360 GPU is more powerful than the one in PS3 hence why multiplatform games generally run better.

Hopefully we get mirrors at least without any performance hit.

Handling I'm starting to like the more I play it although transistion to oversteer I think could be a bit more progressive in feedback.

Indeed, the AI is fast. I'm trying to learn all the tricks in the game to go fast on RaceNet challenges before taking on career mode.

 

[Speedster911]

Really? More powerful GPU? Hmm.. that is news to me! Although I've been told the PS3 can generate better particle effects.

Well, I ain't complaining then.. good stuff! I've always felt games have been well optimized for the X360 and look and feel a lot like a mid to high end gaming PC configured to run details settings on high with at least 30 fps or more. Which does not happen to be a coincidence BTW, as the 360's architecture and software functions a lot like a PC.

Yeap that's it: the more you get into GA, the more you come to terms with the controls. Just forget that GT and Forza exist, and you are going to have a really good time with it.

The AI is one of the best aspects of this game. Enjoy!

 

[Ridox2JZGTE]

I did some reading on GAS threads here, it seems there's an issue with save file corruption that not only occur on cars driven online but also offline. Can't we at lest copy our save file for backup purpose, so if there's corruption, we can replace the save file with the backup, or the save is locked and need PS+ ?

I also seems to get impression that patch/fixes for GAS on PS3 will come but when it will be ?

 

[Saidur_Ali]

Really? More powerful GPU? Hmm.. that is news to me! Although I've been told the PS3 can generate better particle effects.

Well, I ain't complaining then.. good stuff! I've always felt games have been well optimized for the X360 and look and feel a lot like a mid to high end gaming PC configured to run details settings on high with at least 30 fps or more. Which does not happen to be a coincidence BTW, as the 360's architecture and software functions a lot like a PC.

Yeap that's it: the more you get into GA, the more you come to terms with the controls. Just forget that GT and Forza exist, and you are going to have a really good time with it.

The AI is one of the best aspects of this game. Enjoy!

Even Nvidia now say so and they made the GPU. PS3 can make the difference up and some extra potential only if Cell is used to most of its potential, that is why you get some great looking PS3 exclusive games that make use of it.

More info below:

 

[mister dog]

I did some reading on GAS threads here, it seems there's an issue with save file corruption that not only occur on cars driven online but also offline. Can't we at lest copy our save file for backup purpose, so if there's corruption, we can replace the save file with the backup, or the save is locked and need PS+ ?

I also seems to get impression that patch/fixes for GAS on PS3 will come but when it will be ?

You can copy your file to USB on PS3, and the patch to fix this is due soon hopefully. Check out the bug tracker thread for more info on this gremlin.

 

[Speedster911]

Even Nvidia now say so and they made the GPU. PS3 can make the difference up and some extra potential only if Cell is used to most of its potential, that is why you get some great looking PS3 exclusive games that make use of it.

More info below:

Very interesting. Thanks for posting. This explains the gorgeous visuals in games like Halo 3 and 4, GOW 2 and 3, RDR FM3 and 4 etc. and especially Bad Company 2... I still can't believe how beautiful it looks on an X360. No frame drops in any of these I might add.

What's a Tegra K1? The latest NVidia graphics card?

 

[Saidur_Ali]

Very interesting. Thanks for posting. This explains the gorgeous visuals in games like Halo 3 and 4, GOW 2 and 3, RDR FM3 and 4 etc. and especially Bad Company 2... I still can't believe how beautiful it looks on an X360. No frame drops in any of these I might add.

What's a Tegra K1? The latest NVidia graphics card?

It is Nvidia's latest mobile system on chip and is used in their latest tablet: Link

It is not even using their latest graphics architecture and given move to 20nm soon, there will be a sizeable bump in performance. Hopefully next-gen handhelds will be able to run same games as PS4 and Xbox One with only a small graphics hit. Technology might be there for that by end of this year. Should make things easier for developers so Sony please don't disappoint as it will be awesome to have games such as GAS running on handhelds without any compromises to gameplay.

 

[Speedster911]

That's pretty exciting, although I'll probably be getting none of the above.

Having a hard time saving up for a current gen console as is!

 

[ibnumgt1]

Just got this game a few days ago. I must say, this game is great. Haven't seen any freezing issues yet. Currently about to finish the Touring discipline.